Ecclesiastes 12

King James Version

Full text for Ecclesiastes Chapter 12

1¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and fears [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

8¶ Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all [is] vanity.

9And 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.

10The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and [that which was] written [was] upright, [even] words of truth.

11The words of the wise [are] as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd.

12And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.

13¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Ecclesiastes 12 urges individuals to remember their Creator in their youth before the inevitable decline of old age and death. The chapter vividly describes the physical decay associated with aging, culminating in the body returning to dust and the spirit to God. The Preacher then concludes his discourse by stating that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments, for all actions will be brought into judgment.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with a strong admonition to remember one's Creator during the days of youth, before the onset of old age brings a lack of pleasure and physical deterioration. It employs rich metaphors to describe the aging process, such as the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars, and the trembling of the 'keepers of the house' and bowing of 'strong men.' The text speaks of the cessation of grinding, the dimming of sight, and the fading of music, all symbolizing the decline of faculties. Death is depicted as the loosening of the 'silver cord' and the breaking of the 'golden bowl,' after which the body returns to dust and the spirit to God. The Preacher reiterates that 'all is vanity,' but then emphasizes his own wisdom in teaching truth and setting forth proverbs. The ultimate conclusion is presented as the summation of all wisdom: to fear God and obey His commandments, for God will judge every deed, both open and secret.

Long Summary

Ecclesiastes 12 opens with a profound call to remember one's Creator in the vigor of youth, prior to the arrival of 'evil days' marked by a lack of enjoyment. It then employs a series of evocative metaphors to illustrate the physical and mental decline associated with old age. These include the darkening of celestial lights, symbolizing failing senses, and the return of clouds after rain, indicating persistent troubles. The 'keepers of the house' trembling, 'strong men' bowing, and 'grinders' ceasing depict the weakening of the body, while 'those that look out of the windows' being darkened refers to failing eyesight. The chapter continues with imagery of doors shut in the streets, the sound of grinding becoming low, and the fading of musical abilities, all signifying a withdrawal from life's pleasures. Fears in the way, the flourishing almond tree (white hair), and the grasshopper becoming a burden further describe the frailty of advanced years, as man approaches his 'long home.' Death is poetically described as the loosening of the 'silver cord' and the breaking of the 'golden bowl,' signifying the cessation of life. Upon death, the dust returns to the earth from whence it came, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. The Preacher then reaffirms his central theme, 'Vanity of vanities; all is vanity,' but shifts to validate his own wisdom and diligent search for 'acceptable words' and 'words of truth.' He likens the words of the wise to goads and nails, given by one shepherd. The chapter concludes with the ultimate admonition: to 'fear God, and keep his commandments,' asserting that this is the 'whole duty of man.' This imperative is underscored by the declaration that God will bring every work, including every secret thing, into judgment, whether good or evil.

Core Concepts

  • Remembering the Creator in YouthThe chapter strongly advises individuals to acknowledge and serve God during their younger years. This is presented as a crucial act before the inevitable onset of old age and its accompanying physical and mental decline.
  • The Decline of Old AgeEcclesiastes 12 uses vivid, metaphorical language to describe the physical deterioration that accompanies aging. Images like trembling 'keepers of the house,' failing 'grinders,' and darkened 'windows' symbolize the weakening of the body's faculties and senses.
  • Mortality and the AfterlifeThe text graphically portrays death as the breaking of vital life symbols, such as the 'silver cord' and 'golden bowl.' It states that upon death, the physical body returns to the earth as dust, while the spirit returns to God who originally gave it.
  • The Preacher's Wisdom and AuthorityThe Preacher, identified as wise, diligently sought out and set in order many proverbs, striving to find 'acceptable words' of truth. His words are likened to goads and nails, serving to instruct and firmly establish knowledge.
  • The Conclusion of the Whole MatterAfter exploring life's vanities, the Preacher offers his ultimate summation of human existence. He declares that the entirety of man's duty is to fear God and to keep His commandments.
  • Divine JudgmentThe chapter concludes with a solemn warning that God will bring every work, whether openly performed or secretly hidden, into judgment. This reinforces the importance of righteous living and obedience to God's commands.