Ecclesiastes 11:1
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Cast your bread on the waters: for you shall find it after many days.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Cast your bread on the waters: for you shall find it after many days.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Put out your bread on the face of the waters; for after a long time it will come back to you again.
Webster's Revision
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
World English Bible
Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Definitions for Ecclesiastes 11:1
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 11:1 Bible Commentary
Cast thy bread upon the waters - An allusion to the sowing of rice; which was sown upon muddy ground, or ground covered with water, and trodden in by the feet of cattle: it thus took root, and grew, and was found after many days in a plentiful harvest. Give alms to the poor, and it will be as seed sown in good ground. God will cause thee afterwards to receive it with abundant increase. The Targum understands it of giving bread to poor sailors. The Vulgate and my old Bible have the same idea. Send thi brede upon men passing waters.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 11:1 Bible Commentary
The verse means: "Show hospitality, even though the corresponding return of hospitality to you may seem improbable; nevertheless, be hospitable in faith." Compare Luke 14:13-14; Hebrews 13:2. Some interpreters (not unreasonably) understand by "bread" the seed from the produce of which bread is made. Seed cast upon the fertile soil flooded by the early rains would be returned to the sower in autumn with large increase.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 11:1 Bible Commentary
11:1 The waters - Freely and liberally bestow it upon the waters; upon those poor creatures, on whom it may seem to be as utterly lost, as the seed which a man casts into the sea or river. Find it - It shall certainly be restored to thee, either by God or men. This is added to prevent an objection, and to quicken us to the duty enjoyned. After - The return may be slow, but it is sure, and will be so much the more plentiful.