Ecclesiastes 11

There are several ways scholars interpret this. One is more literal. Throwing bread in the water is crazy because bread will dissolve if the fish or birds don’t get it. This word picture is a metaphor for taking a risk that might somehow pay off. Yet verse 2 says to invest the bread (assets) in several different ways: diversification. A second interpretation, more common, sees the writer talking about giving donations to the poor. A third interpretation says the writer was more likely talking about selling grain overseas, for a return on the venture.

Farmers often sowed seed such as wheat and barley by throwing them in a wide arch, left to right, a bit like many people plant grass seed for yards. A gentle, steady wind would help them cast the seed a little further and shorten their time sowing.

The Hebrew text more literally says, “if you keep watching the clouds.” That’s not likely a reference to someone searching for a cloud that looks like Elvis Presley. Farmers look to the sky to decide when to harvest. They don’t want to harvest a wet field, for example. So, if the clouds look threatening, they’ll rush to bring in the crop. If rains come, a crop can rot in the field before the land dries out.