Ecclesiastes 11 10

Ecclesiastes 11:10 kjv

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 nkjv

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 niv

So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 esv

Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 nlt

So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 11 verses

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 11:10 issues a direct command to shed internal vexation and external harmful influences, especially during one's formative years. It urges an active, conscious effort to relinquish frustrations, worries, and practices that lead to trouble, from both one's inner disposition and outward conduct. The foundational reason provided for this counsel is that the vibrant stages of childhood and youth, with all their energy and potential, are fleeting and ultimately temporary, like a wisp of vapor, rendering any persistent attachment to sorrow or evil pointless in the face of inevitable change.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Context

Ecclesiastes 11:10 concludes a section of practical wisdom in Ecclesiastes 11 that begins to shift the Teacher's focus from philosophical observations on the futility of life "under the sun" to actionable advice on how to live within its constraints. The preceding verse (Ecc 11:9) encourages young people to "rejoice in your youth" and "walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes," yet it immediately adds the critical caveat, "But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment." Verse 10 naturally flows from this, providing the next step in practical wisdom: given life's brevity and eventual judgment, active steps must be taken to remove internal vexation and external harmful deeds that detract from wise enjoyment. The verse also serves as a direct bridge to Ecclesiastes 12:1, which urges the youth to "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth," framing the present verse as crucial preparatory guidance for a life lived well before the onset of old age and the end of life. Historically, this counsel would have resonated in a culture where life expectancy was shorter, and the transience of human existence was a more constant reality, highlighting the preciousness and brevity of youth amidst an awareness of divine justice common in Israelite thought.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Word analysis

• Therefore: (implied transition from Heb. al-ken, often connected to kiy) - Introduces a logical consequence or a concluding injunction based on the preceding statements (e.g., the certainty of judgment and the encouragement to enjoy youth). It signals a practical application.
• remove: (Heb. hā·sêr – הָסֵר) - An imperative verb, strong and direct. It implies an active, intentional act of putting something away, getting rid of it, or causing it to depart, not merely passively avoiding.
• sorrow: (Heb. ka'as – כַּעַס) - More complex than just sadness; it often means anger, vexation, frustration, irritation, or resentment. In Ecclesiastes, it often relates to being vexed by life's hardships, injustices, or the inability to control circumstances. It refers to a troubled spirit that disrupts peace and joy.
• from your heart: (Heb. mil·liḇ·be·ḵā – מִלִּבֶּֽךָ) - The "heart" in biblical anthropology is the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and moral choices—the inner self and core being. This indicates an internal, deeply felt condition.
• and put away: (Heb. wə·haʿ·aḇêr – וְהַעֲבֵר) - Another imperative, closely related to "remove" but perhaps carrying the nuance of making something pass over or pass by, causing it to disappear. It emphasizes thorough elimination.
• evil: (Heb. ra'ah – רָעָה) - Can mean moral wickedness, harmful acts, misfortune, calamity, or trouble. In this context, given the link to "flesh," it could mean either the detrimental consequences (troubles) that afflict the body/life, or the sinful acts/desires that manifest physically and lead to trouble. It is anything that pollutes or damages one's well-being or standing.
• from your flesh: (Heb. mib·bə·śā·re·ḵā – מִבְּשָׂרֶֽךָ) - "Flesh" refers to the physical body and the material, earthly aspect of a human being. It can also encompass desires or behaviors that stem from our human nature. This contrasts with "heart" (inner being) and points to outward conduct, physical experiences, or the troubles that impact one's bodily existence.
• for: (Heb. kî – כִּֽי) - Introduces the reason or justification for the preceding commands.
• childhood: (Heb. yal·dūt – יַלְדוּת) - Refers specifically to the state of being a child or youth; the early stage of life, characterized by development, innocence, and potential.
• and youth: (Heb. wə·šaḥ·rūt – וְשַׁחֲרוּת) - Derived from shachar (dawn/morning), it refers to the bloom, prime, or vigor of youth—the freshest and most energetic period of life. Some interpretations link "blackness" to dark hair, signifying youth, or even to a certain "darkness" or unknowability of this phase due to inexperience.
• are vanity: (Heb. heḇel hēm – הֶ֣בֶל הֵ֔ם) - Heḇel (vapor, breath, futility, transience, emptiness) is the dominant theme of Ecclesiastes. This means that these stages of life, despite their vitality and appeal, are temporary, insubstantial, quickly passing, and offer no lasting ultimate satisfaction or guarantee of a fixed future.

Words-group analysis:

• "Therefore remove sorrow from your heart": This imperative calls for an active internal discipline. It is a spiritual and emotional cleansing, urging individuals to consciously dismiss inner frustration, worry, and the resentment that arises from life's vexing circumstances, particularly relevant to how one perceives divine providence or the apparent injustice of the world.
• "and put away evil from your flesh": This parallels the first command but shifts focus to external action and its consequences. "Evil" here refers to either the actual troubles that afflict the physical being (e.g., stress-induced illness, the hardships brought on by imprudent actions) or, more profoundly, the sinful deeds that emerge from physical desires and lead to detriment. It demands moral purity and avoidance of behaviors that bring harm or trouble.
• "for childhood and youth are vanity": This provides the potent rationale. The vibrancy and opportunities of youth are profoundly ephemeral. This brevity is not cause for despair but rather a catalyst for living wisely and purposefully now. Since this precious season will pass quickly, one should not waste it on internal anxieties or external evils, but rather live with joyful intention in the light of divine accountability.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Bonus section

The emphasis on ka'as (sorrow/vexation) is significant; it suggests not merely transient sadness but a chronic internal friction or resentment often related to feeling thwarted or disgruntled with life's uncontrollable aspects, including its fleeting nature. This deep-seated frustration is explicitly detrimental to the joy and purpose intended for youth.

Furthermore, the juxtaposing commands to "remove" from the "heart" and "put away" from the "flesh" highlight a holistic approach. It is not enough to simply control outward behavior; the inner landscape of thoughts, feelings, and attitudes must also be purified. Conversely, simply maintaining a "good heart" without acting virtuously or avoiding physical harm is also insufficient. The verse demands both internal disposition and external conduct be aligned with wisdom and purity.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 11:10 serves as a pragmatic and poignant instruction, directly advising young individuals to proactively rid themselves of internal turmoil and external moral compromises. The Teacher's use of "sorrow" (ka'as) emphasizes the profound vexation, anger, or irritation that can grip the heart, often born from disillusionment with life's unpredictable and seemingly unfair nature. This must be removed from the inner being. Simultaneously, "evil" (ra'ah) from the "flesh" signifies the need to cast off destructive behaviors or influences that impact one's physical and experiential life, aligning with the earlier call to remember judgment.

The compelling "for childhood and youth are vanity" (heḇel) underlines the entire counsel. The season of youthful vigor, often perceived as boundless, is profoundly short-lived and lacks ultimate permanence. This is not a message of fatalism, but a powerful motivator for living wisely and with joy. The transient nature of youth demands that one seize its potential not for indulgence in sin, but for a life unburdened by anxious striving or moral corruption, allowing for authentic enjoyment and purposeful action before the inevitable onset of age and decline. It's a call to enjoy the present without clinging to fleeting outcomes, understanding that ultimate significance lies beyond what "the sun" offers.

Practical usage examples:

• Anxiety Management: Instead of dwelling on worries about future uncertainties, engage in productive actions today, entrusting unknown outcomes to God (Phil 4:6).
• Ethical Choices: When faced with a temptation to engage in harmful behaviors, recall the fleeting nature of such gratifications and choose the path of integrity.
• Intentional Living: Actively pursue joyful and meaningful experiences in your formative years, free from the burdens of regret or bitterness, knowing that these years pass quickly.