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Ecclesiastes 12

Eccles 12, Ec 12, Qoh 12, Qoheleth 12


Ecclesiastes 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;

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 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:

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.

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.

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.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, 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.

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

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

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Summary and the Meaning of Ecclesiastes Chapter 12

Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom and reflection, attributed to King Solomon, who is known for his great wisdom in the Bible. The book is a collection of philosophical musings on the meaning of life and the pursuit of happiness. In the final chapter, chapter 12, the author reflects on the inevitability of old age and death, and the importance of living a life of purpose and fear of God. The main themes of this chapter include the fleeting nature of life, the importance of remembering God, and the ultimate judgment that awaits all people.

The Fleeting Nature of Life

The author begins by painting a vivid picture of old age and the physical decline that comes with it. He describes the body as a decaying house, with the arms and legs trembling and the teeth falling out. This imagery serves as a reminder that life is temporary and that our physical bodies will eventually deteriorate. The author also emphasizes the importance of remembering God in our youth, before old age and the difficulties that come with it.

The author then goes on to describe the various aspects of life that will eventually fade away. He mentions the sun, the light, the moon, the stars, and the clouds, all of which will eventually disappear. This serves as a reminder that even the most permanent and constant aspects of life are temporary and will eventually come to an end. The author also mentions the silver cord and the golden bowl, which are metaphors for the spinal cord and the skull, respectively. These symbols represent the fragility of life and how easily it can be broken.

The author concludes this section by stating, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This serves as a reminder that no matter how much we try to hold on to our physical bodies and the things of this world, in the end, we will all return to dust and our spirits will return to God.

The Importance of Remembering God

In the next section, the author emphasizes the importance of remembering God in our youth and throughout our lives. He states, "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" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). This serves as a reminder that we should not wait until old age to remember God, but rather we should make Him a priority in our lives from a young age.

The author also mentions the vanity and emptiness of pursuing worldly pleasures and possessions. He states, "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 12:8). This serves as a reminder that the pursuit of material possessions and worldly pleasures will ultimately leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. Instead, the author encourages us to remember God and seek His will for our lives, as this is the only way to find true meaning and purpose.

The author also warns against the dangers of neglecting God and His commandments. He states, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). This serves as a reminder that we will all be held accountable for our actions and that we should strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The Ultimate Judgment

The final section of Ecclesiastes chapter 12 focuses on the ultimate judgment that awaits all people. The author states, "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). This serves as a reminder that our ultimate purpose in life is to fear God and keep His commandments, and that we will all be held accountable for our actions in the end.

The author also emphasizes the importance of living a life of purpose and fear of God. He states, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This serves as a reminder that our ultimate purpose in life is to fear God and follow His commandments, and that this is the only way to find true fulfillment and meaning in life.

The author concludes the chapter by stating, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). This serves as a reminder that in the end, we will all face judgment for our actions and that we should strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The Meaning of Ecclesiastes Chapter 12

In summary, Ecclesiastes chapter 12 serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of remembering God in our youth and throughout our lives. It also emphasizes the ultimate judgment that awaits all people and the importance of living a life of purpose and fear of God. The chapter serves as a call to action, encouraging readers to prioritize their relationship with God and to live a life that is pleasing to Him. It reminds us that true fulfillment and meaning can only be found in a life lived for God, and that everything else is ultimately vanity.

The book of Ecclesiastes as a whole teaches us that life is full of uncertainties and challenges, but through it all, we must trust in God and seek His will for our lives. It reminds us that our time on earth is limited and that we should make the most of it by living a life that is pleasing to God. Ultimately, the book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that true wisdom and fulfillment can only be found in a life lived for God, and that everything else is ultimately meaningless.

In Conclusion

Ecclesiastes chapter 12 serves as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of remembering God in all aspects of our lives. It encourages us to seek wisdom and purpose in our pursuit of happiness, and to live a life that is pleasing to God. The chapter serves as a call to action, urging us to prioritize our relationship with God and to remember that our ultimate purpose in life is to fear Him and keep His commandments. Through this, we can find true fulfillment and meaning in life, and ultimately be prepared for the judgment that awaits us all.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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