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Text -- Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 (NET)
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Strongs On/Off
Context
Fear God Now Because Old Age and Death Come Quickly
12:1 So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come , and the years draw near when you will say , “I have no pleasure in them”;
12:2 before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark , and the clouds disappear after the rain ;
12:3 when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble , and the virile men begin to stoop over , and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few , and those who look through the windows grow dim ,
12:4 and the doors along the street are shut ; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low , and one is awakened by the sound of a bird , and all their songs grow faint ,
12:5 and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street ; the almond blossoms grow white , and the grasshopper drags itself along , and the caper berry shrivels up– because man goes to his eternal home , and the mourners go about in the streets –
12:6 before the silver cord is removed , or the golden bowl is broken , or the pitcher is shattered at the well , or the water wheel is broken at the cistern –
12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was , and the life’s breath returns to God who gave it.
Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis
12:8 “Absolutely futile !” laments the Teacher , “All of these things are futile !”
Concluding Epilogue: Qoheleth’s Advice is Wise
12:9 Not only was the Teacher wise , but he also taught knowledge to the people ; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs .
12:10 The Teacher sought to find delightful words , and to write accurately truthful sayings .
12:11 The words of the sages are like prods , and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails ; they are given by one shepherd .
Concluding Exhortation: Fear God and Obey His Commands!
12:12 Be warned , my son , of anything in addition to them . There is no end to the making of many books , and much study is exhausting to the body .
12:13 Having heard everything , I have reached this conclusion : Fear God and keep his commandments , because this is the whole duty of man .
12:14 For God will evaluate every deed , including every secret thing, whether good or evil .
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Instruction |
DEAD |
ALLEGORY |
Old Age |
Readings, Select |
Investigation |
Death |
DAUGHTER |
Speaking |
Almond |
YOUNG; MEN, YOUNG WOMEN |
Cistern |
Mourning |
Gold |
God |
Zeal |
CLOUD |
Cord |
CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, II |
Moon |
more
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Ecc 12:1; Ecc 12:1; Ecc 12:1; Ecc 12:2; Ecc 12:2; Ecc 12:3; Ecc 12:3; Ecc 12:3; Ecc 12:3; Ecc 12:3; Ecc 12:4; Ecc 12:4; Ecc 12:4; Ecc 12:4; Ecc 12:4; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:5; Ecc 12:6; Ecc 12:6; Ecc 12:7; Ecc 12:8; Ecc 12:8; Ecc 12:8; Ecc 12:8; Ecc 12:8; Ecc 12:9; Ecc 12:9; Ecc 12:9; Ecc 12:10; Ecc 12:10; Ecc 12:10; Ecc 12:11; Ecc 12:12; Ecc 12:12; Ecc 12:12; Ecc 12:13; Ecc 12:13; Ecc 12:14
NET Notes: Ecc 12:1 The adjective רָעָה (ra’ah, “evil”) does not refer here to ethical evil, but to physical difficulty, i...
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:2 The verb שׁוּב (shuv, “to return”) here denotes “to desist” (HALOT 1430 s.v. שׁ...
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:3 The verb חָשַׁךְ (khashakh, “to grow dim”) is used elsewhere in reference to failing eyesight (e...
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:7 Or “spirit.” The likely referent is the life’s breath that originates with God. See Eccl 3:19, as well as Gen 2:7; 6:17; 7:22.
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:8 Absolutely futile!…All of these things are futile! This motto is the theme of the book. Its occurs at the beginning (1:2) and end of the book (1...
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:9 The verb תָּקַן (taqan, “to make straight”) connotes “to put straight” or “to arrang...
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:11 Or “goads”; NCV “sharp sticks used to guide animals.” For further information see M. A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation, 29&...
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NET Notes: Ecc 12:12 Heb “the flesh.” The term בָּשָׂר (basar, “flesh”) refers to the body, functioning a...
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