Ecclesiastes 9:11 Meaning and Explanation
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Preacher observes that swiftness, strength, wisdom, and skill do not guarantee their expected rewards, for time and unforeseen circumstance touch everyone.
What Does Ecclesiastes 9:11 Mean?
The Preacher looks again at life under the sun and notices that outcomes do not always match abilities. The race is not always won by the fastest, nor the battle by the strongest; the wise may lack bread and the skilled may miss favor. Over all human advantage hangs the reality of time and chance, the unpredictable turns that no talent can master.
This humbling truth tempers our confidence in our own powers. Gifts are real, yet they do not entitle us to control outcomes, for much lies beyond our reach. The believer hears in this a call to humility and trust: since we cannot command the times, we rest them in the hands of God, who alone rules over the seasons and holds every unforeseen moment within his good purpose.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 in the Original Language
pega (פֶּגַע), 'chance' -- an occurrence or happening that befalls a person, an event one did not arrange.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 9:11
What does Ecclesiastes 9:11 mean?
The Preacher observes that swiftness, strength, wisdom, and skill do not guarantee their expected rewards, for time and unforeseen circumstance touch everyone.