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

Remove sorrow from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the prime of life are fleeting.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Context

Ecclesiastes 11:10 concludes a section (chapters 9-11) that encourages enjoying life's blessings during youth. This verse serves as a call to action. It immediately follows a reminder to "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth..." (Ecclesiastes 11:9). The preacher (Qoheleth) acknowledges the vitality and potential of youth. However, he also carries the recurring theme of the book: "all is vanity" (vanity/hevel). Life is transient, and every action will be brought to judgment. Therefore, while youth should be enjoyed, it should be done with an awareness of accountability. The verse emphasizes cherishing the present, not succumbing to perpetual gloom, but wisely navigating the joys and responsibilities of this finite period. The historical context is that of ancient Israel, where life was often harsh, and awareness of mortality was prevalent. Qoheleth aims to provide a balanced perspective on life's experiences under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Word Analysis

• Hebrew (for key terms):

  • לֵב (lev): Heart. Refers not just to emotion, but to the seat of intellect, will, and affections. It’s the core of a person's being.
  • בְּשָׂר (basar): Flesh. Refers to the physical body and its physical limitations and sensations.
  • יוֹם (yom): Day. Can refer to a literal day or a period of time.
  • הַיָּלֶד (hayyeled): Childhood/youth. Specifically refers to the state of youth.
  • הַיָּמִים (hayyamim): Days, but here used in connection with youth to emphasize the period or "days of youth."
  • שַׂמֵחַ (samēaḥ): Rejoice, be glad. The command is to remove the opposite: sorrow.
  • סוּר (sur): Remove, turn away. An active command to depart from or put away something.
  • הָרַע (hara): Evil, bad, ill. Here used to describe that which is experienced in the heart, specifically sorrow.

• Word by word analysis:

  • "Remove": A strong imperative, a call to active displacement.
  • "sorrow": The negative emotional state, the feeling of grief or sadness.
  • "from": Indicates origin or source.
  • "your": Possessive pronoun, directing the command to the individual.
  • "heart": The inner self, the locus of emotions and will.
  • "and": Connects the two commands.
  • "put away": Similar to remove, emphasizing the discarding or dismissal.
  • "pain": Physical discomfort or suffering.
  • "from": Indicates origin.
  • "your": Possessive pronoun.
  • "body": The physical structure of the person.
  • "for": Introduces the reason or basis for the command.
  • "youth": The early stage of life, characterized by vitality.
  • "and": Connects the two elements of the reason.
  • "the days of": Emphasizes the temporal aspect.
  • "your": Possessive pronoun.
  • "youth": Reinforces the subject of the temporal period. (Note: The Hebrew is yeled which implies the child or youth. "Days of youth" specifies this period.)

• Phrase/Words group analysis:

  • "Remove sorrow from your heart, and put away pain from your body": This is a parallel structure, addressing both the emotional and physical well-being. It's an injunction against dwelling in negativity, either internal or experienced physically. It's a call to health and lightness of being.
  • "for youth and the days of your youth are fleeting": This provides the motivation. The vigor and opportunities of youth are temporary. This transience should prompt a joyful appreciation, not a brooding over the inevitability of age and decline. It connects the present command to the reality of time passing.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Bonus Section

The sentiment echoes the ancient concept of carpe diem (seize the day), but within a distinctly Hebrew worldview where such enjoyment is not aimless but viewed through the lens of God's ultimate judgment and presence. This is crucial; the enjoyment prescribed is not reckless abandon but a thankful engagement with life’s present good, with an awareness of accountability. The verse anticipates the full restoration and future joy promised in prophetic texts, where sorrow and sighing will completely flee away (Isaiah 51:11). Even though the present joy is temporal and experienced under the sun, it’s still a divinely sanctioned pleasure. The preacher encourages an active participation in the good gifts of youth, framing it as a wisdom that guards against regret later in life. The instruction is about managing one's internal state and physical engagement with life in the most productive and joyful manner during the peak years of human strength.

Ecclesiastes 11 10 Commentary

This verse is a vital practical application of the book of Ecclesiastes' overall message. While Qoheleth consistently points out the futility of earthly pursuits when viewed without God, he also advocates for enjoying the good God provides. Here, the focus is on youth, the prime time for life's experiences. The instruction is not to ignore difficulties, but to choose not to be dominated by sorrow or pain. The "why" is the precious and limited nature of youth. Therefore, make the most of this energetic period by fostering a cheerful disposition. This joy should be genuine, rooted in recognizing God's presence and good in life, not a superficial hedonism which Ecclesiastes warns against (Ecclesiastes 11:9). It’s about embracing the present gifts of life with a positive outlook, preparing for the future wisely by living presently and joyfully, with an understanding of ultimate accountability.

• Practical Application Examples:
  • A young person facing challenges should actively seek ways to maintain a positive outlook, focusing on blessings rather than dwelling on setbacks.
  • Engaging in activities that bring joy and well-being, such as spending time with loved ones, pursuing healthy hobbies, and exercising one's body, as these are gifts from God for this season.
  • Cultivating gratitude even amid difficulties, as gratitude combats sorrow.