Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. New Living Translation When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. English Standard Version If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. Berean Standard Bible If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. King James Bible 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. New King James Version If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. New American Standard Bible If the clouds are full, they pour out rain on the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. NASB 1995 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. NASB 1977 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. Legacy Standard Bible If the clouds are full, they empty the rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. Amplified Bible If the clouds are full [of rain], they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it lies. Christian Standard Bible If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or the north, the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. Holman Christian Standard Bible If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or the north, the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. American Standard Version If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. Contemporary English Version Rain clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall. English Revised Version If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. GOD'S WORD® Translation If the clouds are full of rain, they will let it pour down on the earth. If a tree falls north or south, the tree will remain where it fell. Good News Translation No matter which direction a tree falls, it will lie where it fell. When the clouds are full, it rains. International Standard Version If the clouds are full of rain, they will pour out on the earth; if a tree falls toward the south or the north, wherever it falls, there it will lay. Majority Standard Bible If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. NET Bible If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth, and whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, the tree will lie wherever it falls. New Heart English Bible If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be. Webster's Bible Translation If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree falleth towards the south, or towards the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. World English Bible If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf the thick clouds are full of rain, "" On the earth they empty [themselves]; And if a tree falls in the south or to the north, "" The place where the tree falls, there it is. Young's Literal Translation If the thick clouds are full of rain, On the earth they empty themselves; And if a tree doth fall in the south or to the north, The place where the tree falleth, there it is. Smith's Literal Translation If the clouds shall be filled with rain, they shall pour out upon the earth: and if the tree shall fall in the south or in the north, the place the tree shall fall, there it shall be. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth. If the tree fall to the south, or to the north, in what place soever it shall fall, there shall it be. Catholic Public Domain Version If the clouds have been filled, they will pour forth rain upon the earth. If a tree falls to the south, or to the north, or to whatever direction it may fall, there it shall remain. New American Bible When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, wherever it falls, there shall it lie. New Revised Standard Version When clouds are full, they empty rain on the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If clouds will fill up, they will cast rain upon Earth, and if a tree has fallen unto the South or unto the place of the North, where the tree has fallen, there it will be OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If the clouds be full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree fall in the south, or in the north, In the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. Brenton Septuagint Translation If the clouds be filled with rain, they pour it out upon the earth: and if a tree fall southward, or if it fall northward, in the place where the tree shall fall, there it shall be. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Cast Your Bread upon the Waters…2Divide your portion among seven, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may befall the land. 3If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. 4He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.… Cross References Job 37:11-13 He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. / They swirl about, whirling at His direction, accomplishing all that He commands over the face of all the earth. / Whether for punishment or for His land, He accomplishes this in His loving devotion. Matthew 7:17-18 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. James 3:12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Luke 6:43-44 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Hosea 10:12-13 Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. / You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men, Isaiah 55:10-11 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. Matthew 12:33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. Jeremiah 17:8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Genesis 8:22 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.” Mark 4:26-29 Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. / Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. / All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. ... Romans 2:6-8 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger. Treasury of Scripture If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be. the clouds 1 Kings 18:45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. Psalm 65:9-13 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it… Isaiah 55:10,11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: … if the tree Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? Luke 16:22-26 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; … Jump to Previous Clouds Earth Empty Fall Falleth Falls Full Lies North Pour Rain South Themselves Thick Towards Tree Water Whatever Wherever WhetherJump to Next Clouds Earth Empty Fall Falleth Falls Full Lies North Pour Rain South Themselves Thick Towards Tree Water Whatever Wherever WhetherEcclesiastes 11 1. directions for charity7. death in life and the day of judgment 9. in the days of youth If the clouds are full, they will pour out rain upon the earth; This phrase reflects the natural order and predictability of creation, as established by God. In the ancient Near East, agriculture was heavily dependent on rainfall, making this imagery particularly relevant. The fullness of clouds leading to rain can be seen as a metaphor for the certainty of God's provision and judgment. In Job 36:27-28, the process of rain is described as part of God's wondrous works, emphasizing His control over nature. This imagery also connects to the idea of sowing and reaping, as seen in Galatians 6:7, where actions lead to inevitable consequences. The rain can symbolize blessings or judgment, depending on the context, much like the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28. whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible. 2. Israel - The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Israel is the nation where these teachings were likely shared and recorded. 3. Nature - The verse uses natural phenomena (clouds, rain, trees) to illustrate spiritual truths, reflecting the agrarian context of ancient Israel. Teaching Points Certainty of God's DesignJust as clouds full of rain will inevitably pour out, God's plans and purposes are certain and will come to pass. Trust in His divine timing and sovereignty. Acceptance of Life's Uncertainties The falling of a tree and its resting place symbolize life's unpredictability. Accept that some events are beyond human control and rest in God's wisdom. Preparation and Readiness Just as one prepares for rain when clouds are full, be spiritually prepared for the outcomes of life's events, trusting in God's provision and guidance. Sowing and Reaping The natural order reflects spiritual truths; what is sown will be reaped. Live righteously, knowing that actions have consequences. Contentment in God's Plan Embrace contentment with where God places you, much like the tree that lies where it falls. Seek peace in His purpose for your life.(3) The world is ruled by fixed laws, the operation of which man has no power to suspend.Verse 3. - If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth. This verse is closely connected with the preceding paragraph. The misfortune there intimated may fall at any moment; this is as certain as the laws of nature, unforeseen, uncontrollable. When the clouds are overcharged with moisture, they deliver their burden upon the earth, according to laws which man cannot alter; these are of irresistible necessity, and must be expected and endured. And if the tree fall toward the, south, etc.; or, it may be, in the south; i.e. let it fall where it will; the particular position is of no importance. When the tempest overthrows it, it lies where it has fallen. When the evil day comes, we must bend to the blow, we are powerless to avert it; the future can be neither calculated nor controlled. The next verse tells how the wise man acts under such circumstances. Christian commentators have argued from this clause concerning the unchangeable state of the departed - that there is no repentance in the grave; that what death leaves them judgment shall find them. Of course, no such thought was in Koheleth's mind; nor do we think that the inspiring Spirit intended such meaning to be wrung from the passage. Indeed, it may be said that, as it stands, the clause does not bear this interpretation. The fallen or felled tree is not at once fit for the master's use; it has to be exposed to atmospheric influences seasoned, tried. It is not left in the place where it lay, nor in the condition in which it was; so that, if we reason from this analogy, we must conceive that there is some ripening, purifying process in the intermediate state. St. Gregory speaks thus: "For when, at the moment of the falling of the human being, either the Holy Spirit or the evil spirit receives the soul departed from the chambers of the flesh, he will keel, it with him for ever without change, so that neither, once exalted, shall it be precipitated into woe, nor, once plunged into eternal woes, any further arise to take the means of escape" ('Moral.,' 8:30). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the clouds הֶעָבִ֥ים (he·‘ā·ḇîm) Article | Noun - common plural Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse are full, יִמָּלְא֨וּ (yim·mā·lə·’ū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of they will pour out יָרִ֔יקוּ (yā·rî·qū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7324: Arm, cast out, draw out, make empty, pour forth out rain גֶּ֙שֶׁם֙ (ge·šem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1653: Rain, shower upon עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the earth; הָאָ֣רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land whether וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not a tree עֵ֛ץ (‘êṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood falls יִפּ֥וֹל (yip·pō·wl) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie to the south בַּדָּר֖וֹם (bad·dā·rō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1864: The south, poet, the south wind or וְאִ֣ם (wə·’im) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the north, בַּצָּפ֑וֹן (baṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter in the place מְק֛וֹם (mə·qō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition where [it] הָעֵ֖ץ (hā·‘êṣ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood falls, שֶׁיִּפּ֥וֹל (še·yip·pō·wl) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie there שָׁ֥ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither it will lie. יְהֽוּא׃ (yə·hū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1933: To fall Links Ecclesiastes 11:3 NIVEcclesiastes 11:3 NLT Ecclesiastes 11:3 ESV Ecclesiastes 11:3 NASB Ecclesiastes 11:3 KJV Ecclesiastes 11:3 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 11:3 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 11:3 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 11:3 French Bible Ecclesiastes 11:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds are full of rain (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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