Ecclesiastes 12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:12

And further, by these, my son, be admonished; rather, and what is more than these, be warned. Besides all that has been said, take this additional and important caution, viz. what follows. The clause, however, has been differently interpreted, as if it said, "Do not attempt to go beyond the words of the sages mentioned above; or, "Be content with my counsels; they will suffice for your instruction." This seems to be the meaning of the Authorized Version. The personal address, "my son," so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:12-14

The author warns against profitless study, and gives the final conclusion to which the whole discussion leads. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:13

The teaching of the whole book is now gathered up in two weighty sentences. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter . The Revised Version gives, This is the end of the matter ; all hath been heard . The Septuagint has, τέλος λόγου τὸ πᾶν ἄκουε , "The end of the matter, the sum, hear thou;" Vulgate, Finem loquendi pariter omnes audiamus. Another rendering is suggested, "The conclusion of the matter is this, that [God] taketh knowledge of all things;" literally,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:14

The great duty just named is here grounded upon the solemn truth of a future judgment. For God shall bring every work into judgment. It will then be seen whether this obligation has been 'attended to or not. The judgment has already been mentioned ( Ecclesiastes 11:9 ); it is here more emphatically set forth as a certain fact and a strong motive power. The old theory of earthly retribution had been shown to break down under the experience of practical life; the anomalies which perplexed... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember now - Rather, And remember. The connection between this verse and the preceding one is unfortunately interrupted by our division of chapters.Creator - Gratitude to God as Creator is here inculcated, as just previously Ecclesiastes 11:9 fear of God as Judge. Godliness, acquired as a habit in youth, is recommended as the proper compensation for that natural cessation of youthful happiness which makes the days of old age more or less evil; more evil in proportion since there is less of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:2

While ... not - Or, Before. The darkening of the lights of heaven denotes a time of affliction and sadness. Compare Ezekiel 32:7-8; Job 3:9; Isaiah 5:30. Contrast this representation of old age with 2 Samuel 23:4-5. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:3

The body in old age and death is here described under the figure of a decaying house with its inmates and furniture.This verse is best understood as referring to the change which old age brings to four parts of the body, the arms (“the keepers”), the legs (“the strong men”), the teeth (“the grinders”), and the eyes. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:4

And the doors ... is low - The house is viewed from without. The way of entry and exit is stopped: little or no sound issues forth to tell of life stirring within. The old man, as he grows older, has less in common with the rising generation; mutual interest and social contact decline. Some take the doors and the sound of the mill as figures of the lips and ears and of the speech.He shall rise ... - Here the metaphor of the house passes out of sight. The verb may either be taken impersonally (... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:5

High - The powerful and the proud, such persons as an old man in his timidity might shrink from opposing or meeting: or, high ground which old men would avoid ascending.Fears ... in the way - Compare Proverbs 26:13.The almond tree - The type of old age. Many modern critics translate “The almond shall be despised,” i. e., pleasant food shall no longer be relished.The grasshopper - Rather: “the locust.” The clause means, heaviness and stiffness shall take the place of that active motion for which... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:6

Be loosed - The termination of life is signified generally by the snapping of the silver cord by which the lamp hangs from the ceiling; by the dashing in pieces of the cup or reservoir of oil; by the shattering of the pitcher used to bring water from the spring; and by the breaking of the wheel by which a bucket is let down into the well. Others discern in the silver cord, the soul which holds the body in life; in the bowl, the body; and in the golden oil (compare Zechariah 4:12) within it, the... read more

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