Ecclesiastes 11:3

It is always true that when clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Similarly, wherever a tree falls on the ground, that is where it will remain.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

In Context

2Share some of what you have with ◄seven or eight/several► others, because you do not know when you will experience a disaster, and if you give some of what you have to others, when you experience that disaster, they will kindly help you.

4If farmers see in what direction the wind is blowing, they will know whether it is wise at that time to plant things or not. It is also true that if farmers look at the clouds and see that they are blowing from the west, which means that it will probably rain, they will not try to harvest their crops on that day.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 11

Cross References

1 Kings 18:45Very soon the sky was full of black clouds. There was a strong wind, and then it began to rain very hard. Ahab got into his chariot and started to return to Jezreel city.

Isaiah 55:10Rain and snow come down from the sky, and they cause the ground to be moist before the moisture returns to the sky and produces more clouds. When the ground becomes moist, it causes plants to sprout and grow, with the result that the soil produces seed for the farmer to plant and grain to produce flour to make bread for people to eat.

Luke 13:7Then he said to the gardener, ‘Look here! I have been looking for fruit on this fig tree every year for the past three years, but there have been no figs. Cut it down! ◄It is just using up the nutrients in the soil for nothing!/Why should it continue using up the nutrients in the soil for nothing?► [RHQ]’

1 John 3:17Many of us have the things that are necessary for us to live in this world. If we become aware that any of our fellow believers do not have what they need and if we refuse to ◄ provide for them/give to them what they need►, it is clear that we do not love God as we claim/say that we do.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 11:2-7

The Obligations to Be Liberal; Answers to Objections against Liberality. 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 11:3