Ecc 12:8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all [is] vanity. Ver. 8. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher. ] Who chose for his text this argument of the vanity of human things, which having fully proved and improved, he here resumes and concludes. See previous verses. read more
Ecc 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs. Ver. 9. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise. ] He well knew how hard it was to work men to a belief of what he had affirmed concerning earthly vanities, and therefore heaps up here many forcible and cogent arguments; as, first, that himself was no baby, but wise above all men in the world, by God’s own testimony; therefore... read more
Ecc 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and [that which was] written [was] upright, [even] words of truth. Ver. 10. The Preacher sought, &c. ] He sought and sought, by pains and prayer. He knew the rule, Bene orasse, est bene studuisse, a To have prayed well is to have studied well. By prayer and tears St John got the book opened. Rev 5:4 Luther got much of his insight into God’s matters by the same means. To find out acceptable words. ] Verba desiderata; so... read more
Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise [are] as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd. Ver. 11. The words of the wise are like goads. ] To rouse up men’s drowsy and drossy spirits; to drive them, as the eagle doth her young ones with her talons, out of the nest of carnal security; to awaken them out of the snare of the devil, who hath cast many into such a dead lethargy, such a dedolent disposition, that, like Dionysius the Heracleot, they... read more
Ecc 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh. Ver. 12. And further, by these, my son, be admonished. ] By these divine directions and documents, contained in this short book, wherein thou shalt find fulness of matter in fewness of words Or "by these," that is, by the Holy Scriptures, which, according to some interpreters, are called in the former verse "lords of collections," because they are as... read more
Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. Ver. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, ] scil., Touching the attainment of true happiness. Let us see (for a perclose of all) where and how it may be had. Shall I tell you in two words, saith the Preacher? I will so, and see that ye mark it. In the original, the word rendered conclusion here hath the first letter bigger than the rest, to stir... read more
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil. Ver. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment. ] Full loath is sinful flesh to come to judgment; but (will they, nill they), come they must, "God will bring them." Angels will hale them out of their hiding holes. Rocks and mountains will then prove a sorry shelter, since rocks shall rend and mountains melt at the presence of the Judge. Let us therefore judge... read more
Overview Ecclesiastes 12:1, The Creator is to be remembered in due time; Ecclesiastes 12:8, The preacher’s care to edify; Ecclesiastes 12:13, The fear of God is the chief antidote of vanity. read more
Remember: Ecclesiastes 11:10, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:8, Genesis 39:9, Genesis 39:23, 1 Samuel 1:28, 1 Samuel 2:18, 1 Samuel 2:26, 1 Samuel 3:19-Ecclesiastes :, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Samuel 16:12, 1 Samuel 16:13, 1 Samuel 17:36, 1 Samuel 17:37, 1 Kings 3:6-2 Kings :, 1 Kings 14:13, 1 Kings 18:12, 2 Chronicles 34:2, 2 Chronicles 34:3, Psalms 22:9, Psalms 22:10, Psalms 34:11, Psalms 71:17, Psalms 71:18, Proverbs 8:17, Proverbs 22:6, Isaiah 26:8, Lamentations 3:27, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:9, Daniel... read more
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John Trapp Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:7
Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ver. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth, &c. ] What is man, saith Nazianzen, but Nους και χους , soul and soil, breath and body; a puff of wind the one, a pile of dust the other; no solidity in either. Zoroaster and some other ancient heathens imagined that the soul had wings, that, having broken these wings, she fell headlong into the body, and that, recovering her wings... read more