Ecclesiastes 11:8 kjv
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11:8 nkjv
But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11:8 niv
However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 11:8 esv
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. All that comes is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 11:8 nlt
When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 11 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eccl 11:9 | Rejoice, young man, during your youth, let your heart be glad in the days of your youth... | Ecclesiastes 11:9 |
| Prov 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. | Proverbs 22:6 (Childhood) |
| Deut 26:11 | And you shall rejoice in all the good the LORD your God has given to you and to your household. | Deuteronomy 26:11 (Gratitude) |
| Ps 30:5 | For his anger is but for a moment, his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. | Psalm 30:5 (Joy/Sorrow) |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. | Jeremiah 29:11 (God's Plans) |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these... | Galatians 5:19-21 (Works of Flesh) |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you have been bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Body is Temple) |
| Heb 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. | Hebrews 13:17 (Accountability) |
| Rom 14:12 | So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. | Romans 14:12 (Individual Accountability) |
| Luke 16:2 | "Pay up! For you can no longer be my manager." | Luke 16:2 (Stewardship) |
| Acts 17:31 | because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the whole world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. Providing proof of this to all by raising him from the dead. | Acts 17:31 (Judgment Day) |
| Matt 12:36 | I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. | Matthew 12:36 (Account for Words) |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. | 1 Samuel 2:3 (God's Knowledge) |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. | John 3:16 (God's Love) |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. | Proverbs 16:9 (God's Sovereignty) |
| Eccl 12:1 | Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them"... | Ecclesiastes 12:1 (Remember Creator) |
| Gal 6:7-8 | Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh, from the flesh will he reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. | Galatians 6:7-8 (Sowing & Reaping) |
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Psalm 37:4 (Delight in the Lord) |
| Eccles 8:12 | Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear him. | Ecclesiastes 8:12 (Fear God) |
| Matt 7:21 | Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. | Matthew 7:21 (Doing God's Will) |
| Eph 5:15-17 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. | Ephesians 5:15-17 (Wise Living) |
| 1 Thess 5:22 | Abstain from every form of evil. | 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (Abstain from Evil) |
Ecclesiastes 11 verses
Ecclesiastes 11 8 Meaning
A person should rejoice in their youth and live with a happy heart during their early years. They should follow their heart's desires and pursue whatever pleases their eyes, but they must remember that God will bring them to account for everything they do.
Ecclesiastes 11 8 Context
Ecclesiastes 11:8 serves as a transitional verse. It follows the exhortation to engage in cheerful activities and generous giving, even in old age and the face of death's certainty. The immediate context encourages enjoying life's pleasures in youth. This enjoyment is not a call to hedonism but a recognition of God's allowance for joy during one's early years. The verse directly precedes the powerful warning of judgment. It provides a counterbalance to the enjoyment, reminding the reader that all actions are observed and will be accounted for. Chapter 11 broadly deals with the unpredictability of life and the wisdom of acting wisely in all circumstances. Historically, the book of Ecclesiastes reflects on life "under the sun" from the perspective of human wisdom and experience, often leading to the conclusion that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of humanity.
Ecclesiastes 11 8 Word Analysis
- Rejoice (Hebrew: simach - "to be glad," "to rejoice," "to be happy") - This is a strong imperative verb, commanding happiness and gladness.
- youth (Hebrew: bochur - "youth," "young man") - Refers to the period of early adulthood.
- heart (Hebrew: lev or levav - "heart," "mind," "will") - Represents the inner person, emotions, and intellect.
- glad (Hebrew: tub - "to be good," "to be pleasing," "to be well") - Denotes pleasure and well-being.
- days of your youth (Hebrew: yamim - "days"; bochuroth - "youthfulness," "early years") - Emphasizes the specific time period.
- ways of your heart (Hebrew: derek - "way," "path," "manner"; levav - "heart") - The inner impulses and desires that guide one's actions.
- pleasing to your eyes (Hebrew: ra'ah - "to see," "to behold"; ayin - "eye") - What captures one's attention and brings visual enjoyment.
- But know (Hebrew: chi da - Imperative of yadha "to know") - A direct command to be aware or certain of the following truth.
- for all these things (Hebrew: kol elu - "all of these") - Refers to the preceding actions of rejoicing and following one's desires.
- God will bring you into judgment (Hebrew: elohe - "God"; bo - "to come"; misphat - "judgment," "justice") - God will eventually evaluate and hold accountable.
Groups of Words Analysis:
- "Rejoice, young man, during your youth, let your heart be glad in the days of your youth..." - This is a strong exhortation to embrace the vibrancy and potential of youth with joy and a positive outlook, grounded in a proper disposition of the heart.
- "...walk in the ways of your heart and the desires of your eyes..." - This signifies acting in accordance with one's inclinations and attractions. It's about experiencing life's pleasures and pursuing what appeals to one's senses.
- "...but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." - This phrase acts as a crucial qualifier. While enjoyment is permitted, it is not without consequence. Every action taken in youth, influenced by heart and sight, falls under divine scrutiny and accountability. This balances the freedom of youth with the solemn reality of divine justice.
Ecclesiastes 11 8 Bonus Section
The wisdom literature of ancient Israel, like Ecclesiastes, often balanced the enjoyment of life's present blessings with the acknowledgment of ultimate divine oversight. The phrase "know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment" echoes the principle of sowing and reaping found elsewhere in Scripture (Galatians 6:7). This verse doesn't negate the joy of youth but places it within the broader context of a life lived under God's sovereign gaze and intended for eventual accounting. It's a reminder that even "under the sun," God's justice is operative, and true wisdom incorporates this eternal perspective into earthly experience.
Ecclesiastes 11 8 Commentary
The verse encourages a full and joyful experience of youth, living according to one's inclinations and appreciating the world's beauty. However, this enjoyment is not a license for unbridled sin. It carries a serious caveat: all actions will be brought before God for judgment. This implies that the pursuits of youth should ideally be conducted with an awareness of their eternal significance and potential consequences, framing even personal joy within a framework of divine oversight and responsibility. It’s a call to savor life responsibly, recognizing that every step is observed.
- Live vibrantly but with inner awareness.
- Appreciate beauty without succumbing to lust.
- Enjoy freedoms while remembering accountability.
- Your youthful pursuits are not invisible to God.