Ecclesiastes 12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

The phrase "these collections" (Ecclesiastes 12:11) refers to other collections of wise sayings (e.g., Job and Proverbs). Ultimately all wisdom comes from God. "Goads" (Ecclesiastes 12:11) are prodding sticks, and people who master this wisdom literature are similar to "well-driven nails" in that they are stable and secure."Beyond this" (Ecclesiastes 12:12) evidently refers to beyond the wisdom literature that God has revealed, in view of Ecclesiastes 12:11. Solomon warned his disciple that... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Solomon’s concluding statement reiterated what he said earlier (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; Ecclesiastes 7:15-18; Ecclesiastes 11:9-10; Ecclesiastes 12:1) and elsewhere (Proverbs 1:7; cf. Job 28:28). Trust and obedience are what everyone owes God-in view of future judgment."Though a future judgment after death is indeed the solution to the enigma Solomon had observed in the unequal distribution of justice in human history (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:15; Ecclesiastes 8:14), no evidence suggests that Solomon... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

In Life Remember Death and Judgment1. The Creator is to be remembered in youth. When the powers of mind and body are failing, it will be too late.1-7. Commentators have differed much as to the interpretation of this passage. It has been taken by many as a description of the gradual failing of one bodily organ after another till death supervenes. In that case we may explain Ecclesiastes 12:2. thus: The light grows dim to the aged sense, and reason is dulled and ceases to illuminate. The old man... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:1

XII.(1) Creator.—This occurs as a Divine name in Isaiah 40:23; Isaiah 44:15. and elsewhere. Here it is in the plural, like the Divine name Elohim. (See also Note on Ecclesiastes 12:8.) We have “thy Maker” in the plural in Job 35:10; Psalms 149:2; Isaiah 54:5; and “Holy One” in Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 30:3; Hosea 11:12. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:2

(2) Here the style rises, and we have a figurative description of the “evil days;” but, as sometimes happens in the case of highly wrought poetry, it is much easier to perceive the general effect intended than to account for all the words which produce it. English readers generally have been deeply impressed by Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, in a general way understanding them as speaking of the dissolution of the noble structure of the bodily frame; and they scarcely gain anything by the efforts of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:3

(3) In this verse we have a description of an afflicted and affrighted house: the servants below (keepers of the house; comp. 2 Samuel 20:3) in consternation [the word for “tremble” occurs twice more in Biblical Hebrew (Esther 5:9; Habakkuk 2:7), but is common in Aramæan]; the masters (men of might, translated “able men “Exodus 18:21; Exodus 18:25; comp. “mighty in power,” Job 21:7) in equal distress; so also the grinding maids below, discontinuing their work (Exodus 11:5; Isaiah 47:1-2); the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:4

(4) The first two clauses continue the description of the afflicted house; all communication with the outer world broken off: the double doors towards the street shut, the cheerful noise of grinding not heard without (Jeremiah 25:10-11; Revelation 18:22). If a more minute explanation of the double doors is to be given, we may understand the verse as speaking of the closing of the lips on the falling away of the teeth. (See Job 41:14; Psalms 141:3; Micah 5:7.)He shall rise up.—No satisfactory... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:5

(5) The old man is beset with terrors; terrors from on high, terrors on the way: all in which he had taken delight before, has charms for him no longer; the almond causes loathing (for so may be translated the word rendered “flourished” in our version); the locust, in the East a favourite article of food, is now burdensome; the caper berry (translated “desire” in our version) fails; for man is going to his everlasting house, &c read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:6

(6) Golden bowl.—Zechariah 4:3. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 12:7

(7) The preacher has risen above the doubts of Ecclesiastes 3:21. (See also Genesis 3:19.) read more

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