About Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes examines life's meaning "under the sun," concluding that true purpose is found only in fearing God.

Author: SolomonWritten: c. 940-930 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 14
MeaninglessnessWisdomEnjoymentDeathFear of GodPurpose

King James Version

Ecclesiastes 12

14 verses with commentary

Remember Your Creator in Your Youth

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;

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KJV Study Commentary

This opening verse of Ecclesiastes' concluding exhortation commands 'Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' The Hebrew 'zekor' (זְכֹר, remember) is an imperative meaning more than mental recall—it denotes covenant faithfulness, active relationship, and lived acknowledgment of God's claims. The word 'Creator' (bore'ekha, בּוֹרְאֶיךָ) emphasizes God's ownership and authority over human ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

XII. (1) **Creator**.—This occurs as a Divine name in Isaiah 40:23; Isaiah 44:15. and elsewhere. Here it is in the plural, like the Divine name Elohim. (See also Note on Ecclesiastes 12:8.) We have “thy Maker” in the plural in Job 35:10; Psalm 149:2; Isaiah 54:5; and “Holy One” in Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 30:3; Hosea 11:12.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18-19. (Compare Pr 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence **a fall--**literally, "sliding."

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 12 **Verse 1** Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened</strong>—this verse begins Ecclesiastes' famous allegory of aging (12:1-7). The phrase 'while... be not darkened' (עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא־תֶחְשַׁךְ) introduces the extended metaphor: act while these celestial lights still shine, before old age's diminishment. The luminaries—sun, light, moon, stars—likely represent vitality, me...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) Here the style rises, and we have a figurative description of the “evil days;” but, as sometimes happens in the case of highly wrought poetry, it is much easier to perceive the general effect intended than to account for all the words which produce it. English readers generally have been deeply impressed by Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, in a general way understanding them as speaking of the dissolution...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18-19. (Compare Pr 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence **a fall--**literally, "sliding."

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 2** The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned.

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, the grinders: or, the grinders fail, because they grind little

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble</strong>—the allegory of aging continues with household imagery. The 'keepers' (שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת) likely represent arms/hands that once protected the 'house' (body) but now tremble with palsy. <strong>The strong men shall bow themselves</strong>—the 'strong men' (אַנְשֵׁי הֶחָיִל) probably signify legs that once stood firm but now ben...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) In this verse we have a description of an afflicted and affrighted house: the servants below (keepers of the house; comp. 2Samuel 20:3) in consternation [the word for “tremble” occurs twice more in Biblical Hebrew (Esther 5:9; Habakkuk 2:7), but is common in Aramæan]; the masters (men of might, translated “able men “Exodus 18:21; Exodus 18:25; comp. “mighty in power,” Job 21:7) in equal distre...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. handleth a matter--**wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pr 13:13). **trusteth--**(Compare Psa 2:12; 118:8, 9).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 3** Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed.

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;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the doors shall be shut in the streets</strong>—the allegory continues. The 'doors' (דְּלָתַיִם) likely represent lips or perhaps ears, now closed and less active in speech or hearing. <strong>When the sound of the grinding is low</strong>—with few teeth remaining (v. 3), the sound of chewing becomes faint. <strong>He shall rise up at the voice of the bird</strong>—elderly people sleep...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) The first two clauses continue the description of the afflicted house; all communication with the outer world broken off: the double doors towards the street shut, the cheerful noise of grinding not heard without (Jeremiah 25:10-11; Revelation 18:22). If a more minute explanation of the double doors is to be given, we may understand the verse as speaking of the closing of the lips on the falli...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. wise in heart--**who rightly consider duty. **sweetness of the lips--**eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 4** A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him.

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:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high</strong>—the elderly develop fear of heights and uneven ground due to balance issues and fragility. <strong>Fears shall be in the way</strong>—simple walking becomes anxiety-producing due to fall risk. <strong>The almond tree shall flourish</strong>—this likely refers to white hair (almond blossoms are white), a sign of advanced age. <st...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) The old man is beset with terrors; terrors from on high, terrors on the way: all in which he had taken delight before, has charms for him no longer; the almond causes loathing (for so may be translated the word rendered “flourished” in our version); the locust, in the East a favourite article of food, is now burdensome; the caper berry (translated “desire” in our version) fails; for man is goi...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. Understanding--**or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pr 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 5** Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design.

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Or ever the silver cord be loosed</strong>—the allegory shifts from bodily house to fragile objects representing life. The 'silver cord' (חֶבֶל הַכֶּסֶף) is a precious, delicate thread holding something valuable. Its loosing (breaking) represents death's severance of life. <strong>Or the golden bowl be broken</strong>—another precious vessel destroyed. <strong>Or the pitcher be broken at t...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Golden bowl.**—Zechariah 4:3.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 6** Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

The Preacher describes death poetically: 'Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.' The language echoes Genesis 2:7 and 3:19—God formed man from dust and breathed life into him; at death, these separate. The body ('dust,' aphar, עָפָר) returns to earth, while the spirit (ruach, רוּחַ) returns to God. This verse affirms both human mortalit...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) The preacher has risen above the doubts of Ecclesiastes 3:21. (See also Genesis 3:19.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24. (Compare Pr 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 7** God's blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown.

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity</strong>—this verse nearly repeats 1:2's opening thesis, creating an inclusio (bookend structure) for the entire book. The Hebrew <em>havel havalim</em> (הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים, vanity of vanities) is a superlative construction meaning 'the most fleeting' or 'ultimate transience.' After twelve chapters exploring life 'under the sun'—wisdom, ple...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

25. (Compare Pr 14:2).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 8** The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ.

The Conclusion of the Matter

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. moreover: or, the more wise the preacher was, etc

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And moreover, because the preacher was wise</strong>—after pronouncing 'all is vanity' (v. 8), the text shifts to third-person description of the Preacher (Qoheleth). The Hebrew <em>yoter</em> (יֹתֵר, moreover/besides) introduces additional information about the author. <strong>He still taught the people knowledge</strong>—despite life's frustrations and vanity, the wise Preacher fulfilled...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) In the introduction I have stated my conviction that the epilogue which here follows is an integral part of the book. If so, it seems to me clear that the writer, who has up to this recorded the words of Kohéleth, now speaks in his own name, and informs his readers that the preacher, whose teaching of the people he preserves, was also a writer, and the author of the well-known Proverbs. **More...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 9** He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The preacher sought to find out acceptable words</strong> (דִּבְרֵי־חֵפֶץ, divrei-chefets)—literally 'words of delight' or 'pleasing words.' The Hebrew <em>chefets</em> conveys both pleasure and purpose, indicating Solomon sought words that were both aesthetically satisfying and functionally effective. <strong>That which was written was upright, even words of truth</strong> (דִּבְרֵי־אֱמֶת...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**27. ungodly man--**(Compare Pr 6:12). **diggeth up evil--**labors for it. **in his lips ... fire--**His words are calumniating (Jas 3:6).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 10** A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day.

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

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The words of the wise are as goads</strong> (דָּרְבֹנוֹת, darvonot)—pointed sticks used to prod cattle into productive work. Wise words disturb complacency, pierce self-deception, and provoke necessary action. <strong>And as nails fastened</strong> (מַסְמְרוֹת נְטוּעִים, masmerot netu'im)—firmly driven tent pegs or construction nails that provide stability and permanence.<br><br>The dual m...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Words of the wise.**—In this and the next verse the weighty words of sages, such as was Kohéleth, are contrasted with the volubility of modern bookmakers. Though the general purpose of the verses is plain, the words used are enigmatical, and one cannot feel great confidence in assigning their precise meaning. The translation of our version fairly represents the original, if it is observed t...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. (Compare Pr 6:14; 10:31). **whisperer--**prater, talebearer (Pr 18:8; 26:20).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 11** It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.

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. study: or, reading

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Of making many books there is no end</strong> (לַעֲשׂוֹת סְפָרִים הַרְבֵּה אֵין קֵץ, la'asot sefarim harbeh ein qets)—an observation profoundly relevant across millennia. The endless multiplication of writings can distract from wisdom's essentials. <strong>Much study is a weariness of the flesh</strong> (לַהַג הַרְבֵּה יְגִעַת בָּשָׂר, lahag harbeh yegi'at basar)—the verb <em>lahag</em> me...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Study.**—The word occurs here only in the Old Testament; but is not a Talmudic word.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**29. violent man--**or, "man of mischief" (Pr 3:31). **enticeth--**(Pr 1:10).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 12** When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Let: or, The end of the matter, even all that hath been heard, is

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KJV Study Commentary

After eleven chapters exploring life's enigmas 'under the sun,' the Preacher arrives at the 'conclusion of the whole matter' (Hebrew 'soph davar ha-kol,' end/summary of the entire discourse). The dual imperatives—'Fear God, and keep his commandments'—constitute humanity's 'whole duty' (Hebrew 'kol ha-adam,' literally 'the whole of man,' meaning humanity's essential purpose/duty). 'Fear God' (Hebre...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **Whole duty of man.**—Rather, *the duty of every man. *The sacred writer practically anticipates the teaching of Romans 3:29.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**30. He shutteth his eyes--**denoting deep thought (Psa 64:6). **moving his lips--**or, "biting his lips"--a determined purpose (Pr 6:13).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 13** Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips.

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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KJV Study Commentary

The Preacher's final statement grounds the previous verse's imperatives in eschatological reality: 'God shall bring every work into judgment' (Hebrew 'mishpat,' judgment/justice). The comprehensiveness is staggering—'every work... every secret thing... whether good or evil.' Nothing escapes divine scrutiny; all hidden deeds, thoughts, and motives will face evaluation. This isn't merely future spec...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) Considering that the book is filled with complaints of the imperfection of earthly retribution, this announcement of a tribunal, at which “*every *work,” “every *secret *thing,” shall be brought into judgment, cannot be reasonably understood of anything but a judgment after this life; so that this book, after all its sceptical debatings, ends by enunciating, more distinctly than is done elsew...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

31. (Compare Pr 20:29). **if--**or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Pr 3:16; 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verse 14** When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being.

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