Ecclesiastes 11:1
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”Read in Context
Modern Meaning
What Does “Cast your bread upon the waters” Mean?
Do good deeds without expecting immediate return.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
The Preacher encourages generosity and risk-taking — the image may derive from ancient grain trading, where merchants would send ships laden with goods across the sea, trusting that profit would eventually return.
The phrase appears in Ecclesiastes 11:1 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
Used to encourage acts of generosity or investments made on faith. "Mentor young people freely — cast your bread upon the waters."
The KJV Verse
Ecclesiastes 11:1
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
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