Ecclesiastes 12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 12:8

Ecclesiastes 12:8. Vanity of vanities This sentence, wherewith he began this book, he here repeats in the end of it, as that which he had proved in all the foregoing discourse, and that which naturally followed from both the branches of the assertion laid down, Ecclesiastes 12:7. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Let us hear the conclusion, &c. The sum of all that hath been said or written by wise men. Fear God Which is put here for all the inward worship of God, reverence, and love, and trust, and a devotedness of heart to serve and please him; and keep his commandments This is properly added, as a necessary effect, and certain evidence of the true and genuine fear of God. Make conscience of practising whatever God enjoins, how costly, or troublesome, or dangerous... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Advice to young people (11:9-12:8)God’s will is that people enjoy life. In fact, they have a responsibility to do so. The writer urges young people especially to take note of this and not to misuse their mental or physical powers through developing wrong attitudes to life. However, their enjoyment of life must be according to a proper understanding of God and his character. They, like all others, are answerable to him for their behaviour (9-10).Young people should remember that God is the... 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 12:1

now = also. Creator. Plural of Majesty = the [great] Creator, or a reference to the Trinity. evil days = days of the misfortune: i.e. affliction and death. Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 . i.e. the days described in following verses. pleasure. See note on Ecclesiastes 3:1 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 12:3

keepers of the house: i.e. the arms of the body. house. The human body is often compared to a house (Isaiah 38:12 . Job 4:19 . 2 Corinthians 5:1 , 2 Corinthians 5:2 ; 2 Peter 1:13 ). tremble. Occurs only here, Esther 5:9 ("move"), and Habakkuk 2:7 ("vex"). See App-76 . the strong men: . i.e. the legs. Hebrew. geber. App-14 . the grinders: i.e. the teeth. cease = fail, or become unfit for use. Hebrew. batal = a passage; probably = the ear-passage. Occurs only in Solomon's writings. Here,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 12:4

the doors = the openings: i.e. the mouth and ears. streets = street (singular) sound of the grinding is low: i.e. the mastication with gums instead of teeth is low. rise up = start: referring to insomnia. the daughters of musick: i.e. songs, &c, the product of music. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 12:5

afraid: i.e. of ascending heights. high = lofty, elevated. fears shall be in the way: i.e. apprehensions of danger in journeying. almond tree shall flourish: i.e. grey hairs shall grow scanty, or drop off, not "almond nuts be rejected"; for the teeth and eating have already been dealt with in Ecclesiastes 12:3 . grasshopper , or locust. shall be a burden = shall become burdensome: i.e. as to weight. desire shall fail. "Desire" = Hebrew = the caperberry. Here the Authorized Version... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 12:6

Or, &c. New figures now (in Ecclesiastes 12:6 ) introduced, referring to the arrival (Structure, above) of death itself. the silver cord: i.e. the spinal cord. the golden bowl: i.e. the head, or skull. pitcher: the failure of the heart. the wheel. On which the bucket is brought up by a rope from the cistern, or well. read more

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