Ecclesiastes 11:7 kjv
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
Ecclesiastes 11:7 nkjv
Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;
Ecclesiastes 11:7 niv
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
Ecclesiastes 11:7 esv
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
Ecclesiastes 11:7 nlt
Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.
Ecclesiastes 11 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:3-4 | And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ... God saw that the light was good... | God's original creation of light as good. |
| Psa 19:4-6 | In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his chamber... Its rising is from the end of the heavens... | The sun as a magnificent testament to God's handiwork. |
| Psa 84:11 | For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor... | God as the ultimate source of life, light, and protection. |
| Matt 5:45 | ...for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. | God's impartial grace provides universal blessings like the sun. |
| Jas 1:17 | Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights... | All good things, including natural light, originate from God. |
| Job 3:16 | Or like a miscarried child, that is hidden from view, like infants who never see the light. | Life itself is intrinsically linked to "seeing the light." |
| Prov 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. | Light as a metaphor for progress, clarity, and goodness in life. |
| Isa 58:8 | Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear... | Light associated with divine intervention, healing, and prosperity. |
| Psa 97:11 | Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. | Light represents God's blessings, bringing joy to the righteous. |
| Ecc 11:8 | So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. | Emphasizes the transient nature of joy and the certainty of hardship. |
| Ecc 12:1-2 | Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near... before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened... | A call to remember God before the decline of old age, symbolized by diminished light. |
| Ecc 2:24 | There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil... | Encourages enjoying the simple pleasures as a gift from God. |
| Ecc 3:12-13 | I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. | Happiness and labor enjoyment are recognized as divine gifts. |
| Ecc 9:7-9 | Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. ... Enjoy life with the wife whom you love... | A direct exhortation to live joyfully and appreciate relationships. |
| John 1:4-5 | In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | Jesus is presented as the source of all life and spiritual light. |
| John 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” | Jesus as the ultimate spiritual light guiding out of darkness. |
| 2 Cor 4:6 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. | God's transformative spiritual light in believers through Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | ...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. | Believers called to showcase God's glory after being drawn to His spiritual light. |
| Rev 22:5 | And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light... | God's own presence serving as the eternal, ultimate light in heaven. |
| Psa 36:9 | For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. | God is the fount of life and enables all true perception and understanding. |
| Mal 4:2 | But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings... | The Messiah is envisioned as a "Sun of Righteousness" bringing healing and hope. |
Ecclesiastes 11 verses
Ecclesiastes 11 7 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 11:7 proclaims a foundational truth: life, symbolized by the presence of light and the daily appearance of the sun, is inherently good, delightful, and pleasant. It is an affirmation of the basic human experience of existence and perception as a sweet and desirable gift, serving as an encouragement to embrace and appreciate the present joys and opportunities that come with living.
Ecclesiastes 11 7 Context
Ecclesiastes 11:7 is situated within Qoheleth's (the Preacher's) exhortations on how to live wisely in a world marked by uncertainty, toil, and ultimate mortality. Chapters 9-12 move from observing life's futility "under the sun" to practical advice for action and enjoyment, balanced by a clear reminder of death and divine judgment. Specifically, Chapter 11 encourages active participation in life, embracing risk, sowing generously, and enjoying prosperity. Verse 7 acts as an affirmative preface, grounding these calls to action in the basic, undeniable goodness of life itself. The "light" and "sun" symbolize existence, health, and opportunity—gifts to be appreciated before the "days of darkness" (Ecc 11:8), representing old age and death, inevitably come. Culturally, the sun was paramount for life, symbolizing clarity, warmth, and the rhythm of daily activities; its consistent presence was a cause for inherent appreciation.
Ecclesiastes 11 7 Word analysis
- א֥וֹר (
or): This Hebrew noun translates to "light," specifically daylight. Biblically,orprofoundly signifies life, health, revelation, knowledge, happiness, and divine favor. Its primary implication here is that existence itself, with its capacity for perception and clarity, is a fundamentally good and delightful state. It represents presence over absence, vitality over inertness. - מָת֖וֹק (mathoq): An adjective meaning "sweet," "pleasant," or "agreeable."
Mathoqdenotes a highly positive sensory and emotional experience. Applying this to light means light is not just physically available, but it is inherently enjoyable and desirable to experience; it brings a sense of well-being and satisfaction. - וְט֣וֹב (wetoḇ): Composed of the conjunction "and" (
waw) and the adjectivetov, meaning "good," "pleasant," or "beneficial." This word reinforces and extends the positive sentiment ofmathoq. It echoes God's original declaration that the created order, including light (Gen 1:3-4), was "good," affirming an intrinsic, objective goodness in perceiving life. - לַעֵינַ֑יִם (la'enayim): Translating "for the eyes" or "to the eyes." This phrase specifies the sensory channel through which this goodness is received. It grounds the abstract idea of light's pleasantness in a tangible human experience, emphasizing the delight of visual perception. The eyes are the gate to experiencing the illuminated world.
- לִרְא֥וֹת (lirot): This is the infinitive form "to see" or "to behold." The verb signifies the act of active perception and observation. It underscores the privilege and joy inherent in our capacity to view and interact with the physical world, facilitated by light.
- אֶת־ (et-): This is a direct object marker in Hebrew, connecting the verb "to see" directly to its object. It serves a grammatical function rather than carrying distinct semantic weight in translation.
- הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ (hashamesh): This noun specifically refers to "the sun." The sun is the cosmic source of light and life, consistently demonstrating God's provision for all creation. Beholding the sun thus encapsulates experiencing the fundamental aspects of daily existence and sustenance.
Words-group analysis:
- "Truly the light is sweet": This initial declaration establishes a universally recognized truth, an unqualified endorsement of existence. "Light" metaphorically encapsulates all that is positive: life, clarity, joy, and opportunity. To call it "sweet" imbues it with an undeniable desirability and inherent goodness that touches the core of human experience.
- "and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun": This clause provides a tangible example and further expounds on the initial statement. It connects the abstract concept of "light" to its specific source, "the sun," making the pleasantness concrete. The focus on "the eyes" and "to behold" highlights the conscious, sensory experience of engaging with life and appreciating its fundamental gifts. It moves beyond abstract goodness to sensory delight.
Ecclesiastes 11 7 Bonus section
- Philosophical Interlude: This verse, while seemingly straightforward, carries significant philosophical weight. Amidst the Preacher's wrestling with life's apparent absurdities, it asserts that the baseline of existence is not bleak, but good. This forms a crucial pivot for the rest of Ecclesiastes, providing a rationale for the enjoyment of life.
- A "Carpe Diem" (Seize the Day) with a Caveat: Unlike purely hedonistic interpretations of "seize the day," this verse frames enjoyment as an appreciation of a divine gift. This pleasure is meant to be received with wisdom and remembrance of what lies ahead (Ecc 11:8; 12:1-7), avoiding an unbridled pursuit that neglects future reckoning.
- Universality of Experience: The appreciation for light and sun is a universal human experience, transcending culture or religion. It highlights a common thread of blessing that unites all of humanity.
- Preparation for Accountability: By celebrating life's current goodness, Qoheleth subtly prepares the reader for the concluding admonition to "remember your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecc 12:1). Enjoyment is a positive command, but it is tethered to awareness of our transient nature and ultimate divine accountability.
Ecclesiastes 11 7 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 11:7, within the broader wisdom of Qoheleth, presents a poignant and necessary counterpoint to the book's pervasive theme of vanity (hevel). It is an unequivocal affirmation of life's fundamental beauty and preciousness. The "light" signifies existence itself—health, vitality, knowledge, and opportunity—all that allows one to engage with the world. To declare this light "sweet" and the act of "beholding the sun" as "pleasant" elevates basic sensory experience into a divine gift. This verse serves as a foundational encouragement for living proactively and joyfully, celebrating the goodness that God has woven into the fabric of creation. It sets the stage for the following admonitions to invest, to enjoy youth, and to remember one's Creator, precisely because life is such a wonderful, yet finite, blessing. The simple act of seeing the sun is presented not just as a mundane occurrence, but as an experience deserving of gratitude and delight, urging us to savor the present moment given by God.