Ecclesiastes 9:11

I turned about, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty; and that also the wise have no bread, nor yet the men of understanding riches, nor yet men of knowledge favor; but time and fate will overtake them all.

Leeser Tanakh

In The King James Version

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

In Context

10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do with thy might, that do; for there is no work, nor experience, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the nether world, whither thou goest.—

12For man also knoweth not his time, like the fishes that are caught in an evil net, and like the birds that are caught in the snare: like these are the sons of men ensnared at an evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 9

Cross References

1 Samuel 2:3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth; for a God of knowledge is the Lord, and by him are actions weighed.

2 Samuel 2:18And there were at that place three sons of Zeruyah, Joab, and Abishai, and 'Asahel: and 'Asahel was as fleet of foot as any roe in the field.

2 Samuel 17:23And when Achithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled the ass, and arose, and went home to his house, to his city, and gave his charge to his household, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

Job 5:11To set up the lowly on high, that those who mourn may rise high to happiness;

Psalms 33:16The king is not saved by the multitude of an army: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Psalms 147:10Not in the strength of the horse hath he delight: nor in the [swiftness of the] legs of man taketh he pleasure.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:5-11

The Consequences of Death; The Proper Enjoyment of Life. 4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 9:11