Ecclesiastes 12
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| Comments |
| V1 Creator occurs as a Divine name in Isaiah 40:23; Isaiah 44:15 and we should remember that we were created by Him. This "days of thy youth" is also a reference to earlier days of the kingdom which the people in their vanity have strayed from. |
| V2-5 When the things of age approach and the end of life at its symptoms assure us that we will go to the long home and with the mourners who go about in the street; |
| V3 "keepers of the house shall tremble". They are shaken with terror[1]and this fear causes them to return to bondage because they fail to do the work and their windows are darkened so they cannot see. |
| V3 "the strong men shall bow themselves" because they will be under tribute and in the bondage of Egypt where the grasshoppers will become a burden. |
| V5 When we are afraid[2] of those exalted[3] over us, |
| V5 and fears (chathchath(חַתְחַת))[4] shall be in the way(derek(דֶּרֶךְ))[5] (from 01869). Ecclesiastes 12:5 speaks of a fear. This fear or terror which shatters the mind was a form of psychosis.[4] That fear will get in the way of the people and shatters and dismays the people so that they are subject to a Mass Formation Psychosis which causes their ability to function in the "course of life" according to an undegenerated "moral character". |
| V5 and the almond tree shall flourish ((נָאַץ) naats). Barnes' Notes on the Bible states, "Many modern critics translate "The almond shall be despised," i. e., pleasant food shall no longer be relished." But the problem may not just be with the translation of the word into flourish naats(נָאַץ)[6] which is normally despise. The same letters translated almond tree which is שָׁקַד shaqad[7] also means "to wake, watch... be alert"[8] and the word we see for flourish is normally translated despise. Is the author talking about a time when the people despise being awakened[8] to the whole truth? |
| V5 and the grasshopper, like locust[9] shall be a burden[10]. This word burden is related to the idea of "forced or compulsory service" which is what we see in the Bondage of Egypt. It appears in the text as וְיִסְתַּבֵּ֣ל הֶֽחָגָ֔ב (wəyistabbêl heḥāḡāḇ,) which are the letters VavYodSomachTavBeitLamedHeyChetGimelBeit. The grasshoppers which like the locust is a metaphor for the taskmasters of those "strong men" who "shall bow themselves" under tribute like the bondage of Egypt which are mentioned in verse 2. |
| V5 Their desire[11] shall fail(break, make void... come to nought) because they despise being awakened to their status of failure of remaining free as they were in earlier days, their youth. The effect is that man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets bit because of their fear and vanity they are under a psychosis and cannot see The Way of salvation. |
| V6 And the silver cord be loosed to shake off this mortal coil; |
| V7 we will return to dust and "the spirit shall return unto God[12] who gave it." |
| V8 Is a repeat of the beginning premise that all vanity is vanity |
| V9 Yet the preacher/teacher taught |
| V10 He struggled to find the right words to communicate the wisdom of righteousness and the vanity of evil.[13] |
| V11 The words <01697> of the wise [are] as goads(כַּדָּ֣רְבֹנ֔וֹת)[14] and well driven nails(וּֽכְמַשְׂמְר֥וֹת)[15]. |
| V12 but just studying is a weariness of the flesh and the making of books there is no end. |
| V13 What is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man... which includes pure Religion. |
| V14 God shall bring every work[16] into judgment, good or bad. |
| What are the good? |
| What are the bad? |
| [[1]] |
Remember Your Creator in Your Youth
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;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 In 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,
4 And 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;
5 Also when they shall be afraid[2] of that which is high[3], and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree ((שָׁקֵד) shaqed)[7] shall flourish[6], and the grasshopper[9] shall be a burden[10], and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Silver cord
6 Or 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.
Spirit returns
7 Then 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.
Preacher seeks his duty
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.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
The Goad
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies(gathered/collection), which are given from one shepherd.
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.
The conclusion and call of duty
Fear God and Keep His Commandments
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Every work jugged
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes | Ecclesiastes 1 | Ecclesiastes 2 | Ecclesiastes 3 | Ecclesiastes 4 | Ecclesiastes 5 | Ecclesiastes 6 | Ecclesiastes 7 | Ecclesiastes 8 | Ecclesiastes 9 | Ecclesiastes 10 | Ecclesiastes 11 | Ecclesiastes 12
Preceded by: Proverbs - Followed by: Song of Songs
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Footnotes
- ↑ 02111 זוּעַ zuwa‘ [zoo’-ah] a primitive root; v; [BDB-266a] [{See TWOT on 540 }] AV-moved 1, tremble 1, vex 1; 3
- 1) to tremble, quiver, quake, be in terror
- 1a) (Qal) to tremble, quake
- 1b) (Pilpel)
- 1b1) to shake violently
- 1b2) to cause to tremble
- 1) to tremble, quiver, quake, be in terror
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 03372 יָרֵא yare’ [yaw-ray’] Yod Reish Alef a primitive root; v; [BDB-431a] [{See TWOT on 907 }] [{See TWOT on 908 }] AV-fear 188, afraid 78, terrible 23, terrible thing 6, dreadful 5, reverence 3, fearful 2, terrible acts 1, misc 8; 314
- 1) to fear, revere, be afraid
- 1a) (Qal)
- 1a1) to fear, be afraid
- 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
- 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
- 1b) (Niphal)
- 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
- 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
- 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
- 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
- 1a) (Qal)
- 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
- 1) to fear, revere, be afraid
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 01364 גָּבֹהּ gaboahh [gaw-bo’-ah] or (fully) גבוה gabowahh [gaw-bo’-ah] from 01361; adj/n m; [BDB-147a] [{See TWOT on 305 @@ "305a" }] AV-high 24, higher 5, lofty 2, exceeding 1, haughty 1, height 1, highest 1, proud 1, proudly 1; 37
- adj
- 1) high, exalted
- 1b) high (in position)
- 1c) proud, haughty
- n m
- 2) loftiness
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 02849 חַתְחַת chathchath [khath-khath’] from 02844 חַת chath fear, terror , shattered from 02865 חָתַת chathath dismayed, afraid, break in pieces; AV-fear 1; 1
- 1) terror
- This fear or terror which shatters the mind was a form of psychosis.
- ↑ 01870 דֶּרֶךְ derek [deh’-rek] DaletReishKaf from 01869 DaletReishKaf tread or bend; n m/n f; [BDB-202b] [{See TWOT on 453 @@ "453a" }] AV-way 590, toward 31, journey 23, manner 8, misc 53; 705
- 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
- 1a) road, way, path
- 1b) journey
- 1c) direction
- 1d) manner, habit, way
- 1e) of course of life (fig.)
- 1f) of moral character (fig.)
- ד Dalet Selflessness – Charity, back and forth or through a door or pathway, to enter like a fish (Numeric value: 4)
- ר Reish Process of Clarification The "head" or "beginning". Life's revelation. [Head... Person head highest] (Numeric value: 200)
- כ ך Kaf K Crown: To Actualize Potential power from spiritual to physical realm [to cover, strength] (Numeric value: 20)
- 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 05006 נָאַץ na’ats \@naw-ats’\@ a primitive root; v; AV-despise 8, provoke 5, abhor 4, blaspheme 4, contemn 2, flourish 1, great occasion to blaspheme 1; 25
- 1) to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor
- 1a) (Qal) to spurn, contemn
- 1b) (Piel)
- 1b1) to spurn
- 1b2) to cause to contemn
- 1c) (Hiphil) to spurn
- 1d) (Hithpolel) to be contemned
- See Ecclesiastes 12:5
- 1) to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 08247 שָׁקֵד shaqed [shaw-kade’] from 08245 שָׁקַד shaqad to wake, watch, awake, be alert; n m; [BDB-1052a] [{See TWOT on 2451 @@ "2451a" }] AV-almond 2, almond tree 2; 4
- 1) almond tree, almonds
- 1a) almond (the nut)
- 1b) almond-tree
- See also 08244 שָׂקַד saqad to bind, bind on, (Lamentations 1:14)
- 08245 שָׁקַד shaqad to wake, watch... be alert, (Ecclesiastes 12:5)
- 08246 שָׁקַד shaqad cup shaped like a blossom.
- 1) almond tree, almonds
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 08245 שָׁקַד shaqad [shaw-kad’] a primitive root; v; [BDB-1052a] [{See TWOT on 2451 }] AV-watch 9, wake 1, remain 1, hasten 1; 12
- 1) to wake, watch, awake, be alert
- 1a) (Qal)
- 1a1) to keep watch of, be wakeful over
- 1a2) to be wakeful, wake (as mourner or sufferer)
- 1a) (Qal)
- 1) to wake, watch, awake, be alert
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 02284 חָגָב chagab [khaw-gawb’] ChetGimelBeit of uncertain derivation; n m; [BDB-290a] [{See TWOT on 601 @@ "601a" }] AV-grasshopper 4, locust 1; 5
- 1) locust, grasshopper
- ח Chet The Life Force - Dynamic nature of - cause and effect - give life and live.[fence, thread, hedge, chamber...cycle] (Numeric value: 8)
- ג Gimel Reward and Punish, Cause and effect, 'justified repayment'. Do to others as they should do. Written like a Vav with a Yod as a "foot". Camel, [throwstick, pride, to lift up] (Numeric value: 3)
- ב Beit Purpose: God's Dwelling Place Below - a house or God's house here. [household, in, into] (Numeric value: 2)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 05445 סָבַל cabal [saw-bal’] a primitive root; v; [BDB-687b] [{See TWOT on 1458 }] AV-carry 4, bear 3, labour 1, burden 1; 9
- 1) to bear, bear a load, drag oneself along
- 1a) (Qal) to bear (a load)
- 1b) (Pual) laden (participle)
- 1c) (Hithpael) to make oneself a burden, drag oneself along
- 1) to bear, bear a load, drag oneself along
- ↑ 035 אֲבִיּוֹנָה ‘abiyownah [ab-ee-yo-naw’] from 014 אָבָה ‘abah to be willing, consent also note 016 אֵבֶה "papyrus"; n f; [BDB-2b] [{See TWOT on 3 @@ "3b" }] AV-desire 1; 1
- 1) caper-berry-of stimulating desire
- ↑ 0430 םיהלא AlefLamedHeyYodMem ‘elohiym el-o-heem’ plural of 0433; n m p; {See TWOT on 93 @@ "93c" } AV-God 2346, god 244, judge 5, GOD 1, goddess 2, great 2, mighty 2, angels 1, exceeding 1, God-ward + 04136 1, godly 1; 2606
- 1) (plural)
- 1a) rulers, judges
- 1b) divine ones
- 1c) angels
- 1d) gods
- 2) (plural intensive-singular meaning)
- 2a) god, goddess
- 2b) godlike one
- 2c) works or special possessions of God
- 2d) the (true) God
- 2e) God
- א Alef Father-Son- begin- The Paradox: God and Man - (ox bull) [strength, leader, first] (Numeric value: 1)
- ל Lamed means Aspiration of the Heart or to learn or even direct like a shepherd. It has to do with what the Hand produces, [hand is די YodDalet] or directs with staff, whip... like the tongue may direct. (Numeric value: 30)
- ה Hey Expression--Thought, Speech, Action. Manifest seeds of thought and life. [Emphasize, jubilation, window, fence] (Numeric value: 5)
- י Yod The Infinite Point of essential good. Divine spark hidden in the ט Tet. Spark of spirit. [closed hand... Deed, work, to make] (Numeric value: 10)
- מ ם Mem Fountain of water, a flow, a fountain of the Divine Wisdom [massive, overpower chaos] (Numeric value: 40)
- See also 03068 יְהוָֹה Yëhovah and 0136 אֲדֹנָי ‘Adonay Genesis 15:2
- 1) (plural)
- ↑ 07451 ^ער^ ra‘ ReishAyin \@rah\@ or fem. ^הער^ ra‘ah from 07489 the verb 07490 (Aramic)ReishAyinAyin evil (to crush); AV-evil 442, wickedness 59, wicked 25, mischief 21, hurt 20, bad 13, trouble 10, sore 9, affliction 6, ill 5, adversity 4, favoured 3, harm 3, naught 3, noisome 2, grievous 2, sad 2, misc 34; 663
- adj
- 1) bad, evil
- 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
- 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
- 1c) evil, displeasing
- 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc)
- 1e) bad (of value)
- 1f) worse than, worst (comparison)
- 1g) sad, unhappy
- 1h) evil (hurtful)
- 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)
- 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically)
- 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts
- 1j2) deeds, actions
- n m
- 2) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
- 2a) evil, distress, adversity
- 2b) evil, injury, wrong
- 2c) evil (ethical)
- n f
- 3) evil, misery, distress, injury
- 3a) evil, misery, distress
- 3b) evil, injury, wrong
- 3c) evil (ethical)
- ר Reish Process of Clarification The "head" or "beginning". Life's revelation. [Head... Person head highest] (Numeric value: 200)
- ע Ayin also U. Divine Providence "eye" or "fountain" of five states of kindness or severity. AlefYodNun or nothingness as opposed to AlefShin something [eye, watch] (Numeric value: 70)
- ↑ 01861 דָּרְבוֹן dorbown [dor-bone’[] also dor-bawn’] of uncertain derivation; n m/n f; [BDB-201b] [{See TWOT on 451 @@ "451a" }] [{See TWOT on 451 @@ "451b" }] AV-goad 2; 2
- 1) goad
- a goad was an instrument used by ploughmen for guiding their oxen.
- ↑ 04930 מַשְׂמְרָה masmërah [mas-mer-aw’] for 04548מַסְמֵר macmer; n f; [BDB-702b] [{See TWOT on 1518 @@ "1518b" }] AV-nail 1; 1
- 1) nail
- ↑ James 2:14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.... 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?... 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
- Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.