King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 12:5 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 12:5 in the King James Version says “Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish,...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Ecclesiastes 12:5 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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

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.

Read Ecclesiastes 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high—the elderly develop fear of heights and uneven ground due to balance issues and fragility. Fears shall be in the way—simple walking becomes anxiety-producing due to fall risk. The almond tree shall flourish—this likely refers to white hair (almond blossoms are white), a sign of advanced age. The grasshopper shall be a burden—even lightweight insects feel heavy; the smallest exertion becomes exhausting. Desire shall fail—the Hebrew aviyonah (אֲבִיּוֹנָה, desire/appetite) indicates loss of appetite, sexual desire, and general zest for life. Because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets—the 'long home' (בֵּית עוֹלָמוֹ) is death's permanent dwelling. Professional mourners already circulate, anticipating the funeral.

This verse brings the aging allegory near its conclusion with vivid imagery: fear, white hair, weakness, loss of desire, approaching death. The cumulative effect is sobering yet purposeful—remember the Creator before these days arrive (v. 1). The phrase 'long home' acknowledges death's permanence from earthly perspective, yet Christian hope transforms it: believers' true 'home' is with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23), and death is not the end but transition to eternal life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel practiced professional mourning—hired women who wailed and lamented at funerals (Jeremiah 9:17-18; Amos 5:16). The 'mourners in the streets' vividly depicted approaching death's public recognition. The almond tree imagery was particularly apt in Israel where almond blossoms appeared early each spring, their white flowers resembling aged hair. The progression described—from trembling hands (v. 3) through failing capacities (v. 4) to imminent death (v. 5)—traced aging's full trajectory. Pre-modern medicine meant these declines were irreversible and often rapid. The passage's realism prepared readers for mortality while urging present faithfulness. Church fathers emphasized using earthly life well before entering eternity's 'long home.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does confronting mortality's reality (rather than avoiding thoughts of death) clarify what truly matters in life?
  2. In what ways does Christian hope transform death from a 'long home' to be feared into transition to eternal joy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
גַּ֣ם1 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מִגָּבֹ֤הַּ2 of 20

“of that which is high”

H1364

elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant

יִרָ֙אוּ֙3 of 20

“Also when they shall be afraid”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְחַתְחַתִּ֣ים4 of 20

“and fears”

H2849

terror

בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ5 of 20

“shall be in the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְיָנֵ֤אץ6 of 20

“shall flourish”

H5006

to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom

הַשָּׁקֵד֙7 of 20

“and the almond tree”

H8247

the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom)

וְיִסְתַּבֵּ֣ל8 of 20

“shall be a burden”

H5445

to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid

הֶֽחָגָ֔ב9 of 20

“and the grasshopper”

H2284

a locust

וְתָפֵ֖ר10 of 20

“shall fail”

H6565

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

הָֽאֲבִיּוֹנָ֑ה11 of 20

“and desire”

H35

provocative of desire; the caper berry (from its stimulative taste)

כִּֽי12 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֹלֵ֤ךְ13 of 20

“goeth”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הָאָדָם֙14 of 20

“because man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֶל15 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית16 of 20

“home”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עוֹלָמ֔וֹ17 of 20

“to his long”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְסָבְב֥וּ18 of 20

“go about”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

בַשּׁ֖וּק19 of 20

“the streets”

H7784

a street (as run over)

הַסּוֹפְדִֽים׃20 of 20

“and the mourners”

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 12:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 12:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 17:13Jeremiah 9:17-20Job 30:23Proverbs 16:31Job 15:10Leviticus 19:32

Test Your Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEcclesiastes Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ecclesiastes 12 with CommentaryAll Ecclesiastes ChaptersComplete Ecclesiastes QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes