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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable.Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began Ecclesiastes 1:2; and then states the encouraging practical... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

Ecclesiastes 12:9-12. He still taught the people knowledge As God gave him this wisdom, that he might be a teacher of others, so he used it to that end. Gave heed He did not utter whatever came into his mind, but seriously pondered both his matter and his words. Therefore despise not his counsel. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words Hebrew, רבי חפצ , words of desire, or, of delight: worthy of all acceptation, such as would minister comfort or profit to the hearers or... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Final comments (12:9-14)Those whom the writer taught were not only the sons of the rich who attended the wisdom schools, but also ordinary people around the city. His method of study was to consider all the wise teachings relevant to his subject, select the most suitable, then arrange them in a way that was interesting and helpful to his audience. However, he never twisted the truth to suit his own purposes (9-10). True wisdom teaching, such as that which the writer speaks of here, comes from... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 12:11

The words of the wise. See notes on p. 864, and App-7 . nails. These were built into a wall, because Eastern walls were too hard or too soft for them to be hammered in. fastened = planted. Masculine, while "nails" is feminine: but the Accent unite the two words. The verb nata' is found again only in Ecclesiastes 3:2 , where it is singular. by the masters = [are] the lords, or rulers. ba'al. one shepherd. The Inspirer. See Genesis 48:15 ; Genesis 49:24 .Psalms 23:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:11

"The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one Shepherd.""In the Old Testament, the word Shepherd usually refers to God";[40] and a good rendition is this, "The words of the wise ... have been given by God, the one shepherd of us all."[41] This is a very important verse, because here Solomon recognizes the Word of God as the ultimate authority. How far has this wise man come from the doubts and sins of former... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:12

"And furthermore, my son, be admonished: that of the making of many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."The perfect understanding of this verse is captured by this translation: "My son, avoid anything beyond the scriptures of wisdom; there is no end to the buying of books, and to study books closely is a weariness of the flesh."[43] This is almost the same warning as that given by Paul that the brethren, "Might learn not to go beyond the things which are written."... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

Ecclesiastes 12:9-12. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise.— And moreover the orator, as he was wise, still taught the people knowledge, and made himself to be listened to; nay, he sought out many important sentences, and set them in proper order; Ecclesiastes 12:10. The orator, I say, spared no trouble to find out pleasant words, and one who could well write down this true discourse, Ecclesiastes 12:11. One shepherd gave the words of the wise like goads, and appointed the masters of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:11

11. goads—piercing deeply into the mind (Acts 2:37; Acts 9:5; Hebrews 4:12); evidently inspired words, as the end of the verse proves. fastened—rather, on account of the Hebrew genders, (The words) "are fastened (in the memory) like nails" [HOLDEN]. masters of assemblies—rather, "the masters of collections (that is, collectors of inspired sayings, Proverbs 25:1), are given ('have published them as proceeding' [HOLDEN]) from one Shepherd," namely, the Spirit of Jesus Christ [WEISS], (Ezekiel... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:12

12. (See on :-). many books—of mere human composition, opposed to "by these"; these inspired writings are the only sure source of "admonition." (over much) study—in mere human books, wearies the body, without solidly profiting the soul. read more

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