Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

ECCLESIASTES

CHAPTER TWELVE:
AGING AND GOD’S JUDGMENT

Summary

Youth are encouraged to remember their God while young, before old age sets in and finally death.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 – Old Age Described

EC12:1 While you are young make sure to remember the Creator 281 and obey Him, because physical hardships lie ahead. 282 Those coming years when you will be heard saying, “I find no pleasure any more!” 283

281	Creator: Other than “The God” this is the only other designation Solomon uses for YHWH. The term “Creator” is rare in the Scriptures. [Isaiah 40:28; 42:5; 43:1, 15; 45:19; Amos 4:13; 1 Peter 4:19] God is also called “Producer.” [Genesis 14:19, 22] Jesus Christ is never called “Creator.”

282

While you are young make sure to remember the Creator and obey Him, because physical hardships lie ahead: Or, ASV: Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come; BAS: Let your mind be turned to your Maker in the days of your strength, while the evil days come not; RHM: in the days of thy vigour; BER: be mindful of your Creator in the days of your youth before the troubling days come; NEB: before the time of trouble comes; NET: before the difficult days come. The wisest advice ever given to young people! Since Solomon draws Ecclesiastes to a close with youth in mind it suggest this inspired book would be a good one for youth to study early on. [Psalm 71:17; 90:10; 110:3; 148:12] Jesus and Timothy are Biblical role models. [Luke 2:49; 2 Timothy 3:15] Solomon will proceed in poetic analogies describing the approach of old age.

283

Those coming years when you will be heard saying, “I find no pleasure any more: Or, ASV: and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; BAS: and the years are far away when you will say, I have no pleasure in them; LXX: and the years overtake thee in which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; NEB: I see no purpose in them. Youth will be shocked to hear this because the thought to young minds is almost unthinkable. Consider a Biblical example at 2 Samuel 19:35. [Psalm 90:10]

EC12:2 [Remember The God] before the light of the sun and moon and stars grows dim, and the clouds are exhausted of their rain. 284

284

Before the light of the sun and moon and stars grows dim, and the clouds are exhausted of their rain: Or, ASV: before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; BAS: While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain. Likely referring to the dimming of sight and the drying up of the tear ducts. See Bible examples at Genesis 27:1 and 1 Samuel 4:15. Youth, your eyes will finally fail you! One must remember that this is before eye-glasses or eye-surgery, and virtually all older persons begin to lose their eye-sight at early ages. Note the Risen Master at Revelation 3:18.

EC12:3 That day when the keepers of the house tremble, 285 and virile men begin to stoop over. 286 When the ladies at the grinding mill become fewer and fewer. 287 When those looking past window-shades grow dim. 288

285

That day when the keepers of the house tremble: Or, ASV: in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble; BAS: keepers of the house are shaking for fear; SPR: the supporters of the house shall tremble; KNX: one day, palsy will shake those door-keepers; LAM: legs tremble and the arms weaken. Likely referring to the hands and the tremors that come with age or disease. Youth, one day your hands will tremble uncontrollably and you will be afraid of things you were not when young.

286

And virile men begin to stoop over: Or, ASV: and the strong men shall bow themselves; BAS: strong men are bent down; LXX: mighty men shall become bent; SPR: valiant men totter; KNX: stalwart guards will be bowed with age. The Hebrew CHAYIL [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2428] is used of virility, masculine men of war. It is used of only two women in the Bible: Ruth and the Capable Wife of the Proverbs. Even David finally tired. [2 Samuel 21:15. [Psalm 90:9] Youth, so straight and strong now, you will one day succumb to gravity as you droop and your spine bends.

287

When the ladies at the grinding mill become fewer and fewer: Or, ASV: and the grinders cease because they are few; BAS: and the women who were crushing the grain are at rest because their number is small; SPR: the grinding slaves cease their toil; KNX: rarer, now, the busy maidens at the mill; LAM: the teeth chew no more because they are few; NAB: the grinders are idle. In the ancient world, and in much of the modern world, aging causes the loss of the molars and other teeth. Only in the recent west have dentists been able to save or replace teeth. The mummies of Egypt show teeth ground down from a life of eating grains. Youth, one day your teeth will grind down and have to be removed. Look at the elderly and see how many have lost their teeth or wear false teeth. [Matthew 24:41]

288

When those looking past window-shades grow dim: Or, ASV: and those that look out of the windows shall be darkened; BAS: those looking out of the windows are unable to see; KNX: dimmer, now, those bright glances from the windows; LAM: the eyes are dimmed; MOF: ladies at the lattice lose their lustre; NAB: they who look through the windows grow blind. Compare a Biblical example at Genesis 48:10. Youth, you will one day either lose your sight or your eyes will be greatly dimmed.

EC12:4 When the street doors are locked, and the sound from the grinding mill grows faint. 289 When one is startled by the chirp of a little bird, and all the singing little girls can hardly be heard. 290

289

When the street doors are locked, and the sound from the grinding mill grows faint: Or, ASV: and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low; BAS: When the doors are shut in the street, and the sound of the crushing is low; LXX: and they shall shut the doors in the market-place, because of the weakness of the voice of her that grinds at the mill; SPR: the sounds of the mill be faintly heard; KNX: the street doors shut, muffled the hum of the mill; LAM: and the ears shall be so dulled that the sound of women grinding at the mill is low. Some see metaphors for loosing teeth. Not only the sight dims in old age, but the ears may not hear someone knocking at the door and so visitors would think no one home and the door locked or shut. Noises and sounds formerly heard with clarity – even bothersome – are no longer there. Youth, one day you will lose your hearing. You will ask people to repeat what they have said, and in some parts of the world you may use a “hearing-aid.”

290

When one is startled by the chirp of a little bird, and all the singing little girls can hardly be heard: Or, ASV: and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; BAS: and the voice of the bird is soft, and the daughters of music will be made low; KNX: bird-song for waking-time, and all the echoes of music faint; LAM: a man shall rise up at the songs of birds; and the sound of women singing shall be low; MOF: when the twitter of birds is faint, and full the daughters of song. Some see a description of the poor sleep of the elderly, rising at the mere sound of a night-bird; or, rising with the birds because sleep is fleeting. It is possible the phrase also means that sudden noises cause the elderly to jump. Again hearing fades in old age. Youth, you will one day be startled by the sound of a bird and you will find yourself asking people to repeat themselves because you cannot hear well. [2 Samuel 19:35]

EC12:5 Indeed, one will fear heights and be afraid of the path ahead. 291 And the almond blossoms will turn white, 292 while the locust slowly creeps along. 293 Even the caper berry shrivels and dries up. 294 For humanity keeps walking toward that house of unknown periods of time. 295 Then the mourners will march down the street. 296

291

Indeed, one will fear heights and be afraid of the path ahead: Or, BAS: And he is in fear of that which is high, and danger is in the road; LXX: and they shall look up, and fears shall be in the way; NEB: when men are afraid of a steep place and the street is full of terrors. Men and women once afraid of nothing with age become frightened of imagined dangers. Descending stairs becomes a major effort. Once brave men create fears of how they could be harmed in the street. The elderly are much more paranoid than youth thinking nothing can happen to them. Youth, you will one day be afraid to go down stairs and you will think others are out to hurt you!

292

And the almond blossoms will turn white: Or, BAS: and the tree is white with flower, and the least thing is a weight; JPS: and the almond-tree shall blossom; GDS: he rejects the almond. Some see difficulty eating the nut, but others observe such blossoms begin in bright reddish-pink but turn white. It may refer to the graying of the hair as one ages. Youth, you will one day begin to loose hair and once blond, black or red-head your hair will turn white. [Job 15:10; Proverbs 16:21] Some cultures respect the elderly, but in modern times this is less so in some cultures. There the elderly are called derogatory names while others are sent off to “nursing homes” to die alone.

293

While the locust slowly creeps along: Or, ASV: the grasshopper shall be a burden; BAS: and the least thing is a weight; LXX: and the locust shall increase; GDS: the locust is burdensome; NEB: the locust’s paunch is swollen. Some see problems with digestion. The locust flies and jumps with great vigor, but in other transformation in just crawls. Once spry with springs in their legs, the elderly now only creep along at a snail’s pace. Youth, you will one day no longer be able to skip about, jump or sun, and even a grasshopper will move faster than you.

294

Even the caper-berry shrivels and dries up: Or, ASV: and desire shall fail; BAS: desire is at an end; JPS: and the caperberry shall fail; LXX: the caper shall be scattered; GDS: the caperberry is ineffectual; NEB: the caper-buds have no more zest. Most see an allusion to sexual activity. The caper-berry was used as an aphrodisiac. Youth, once overwhelmed and controlled by sexual desire you will finally lose all drive and interest. Though this does not happen to a rare few such as Moses [Deuteronomy 34:7], the sex-drive greatly diminishes with age.

295

For humanity keeps walking toward that house of unknown periods of time: Or, ASV: because man goeth to his everlasting home; BAS: man goes to his last resting-place; JPS: man goeth to his long home; LXX: man has gone to his eternal home; KJV: long home; RSV: eternal home; NEB: everlasting home; RHM: age-abiding. Youth, no matter how strong, quick or smart, you are marching toward the grave. Though both the Hebrew ‘OWLAM and the Greek AIONOS may be used of something everlasting or eternal, they also refer to periods or ages of an unknown length of time. The grave is not an “eternal home” but rather a temporary abode where the unconscious dead wait for the resurrection. [Job 14:5-15]. Return to Ecclesiastes 9:10. [Job 17:13; 30:23; Psalm 49:14] The grave is called SHEOL in Hebrew and HADES in Greek and both are temporary holding places for the dead. All will be raised on Judgment Day. [1 Corinthians 15:23; Revelation 20:11-13] For details see the work Where Are The Dead?

296

Then the mourners will march down the street: Or, BAS: and those who are sorrowing are in the streets; LXX: the mourners have gone about the market. Youth, one day mourners will accompany you but you will not hear them. You will not know how many showed up for your funeral. [Ecclesiastes 7:2] Some mourners, shortly after laying you to rest will go off to shop at the market and life will return to “normal.” Ultimately you will be forgotten and no one will come to visit your grave. [Ecclesiastes 9:10] You are wise if you think ahead to your own death.

EC12:6 When the silver cord is broken 297 and the golden bowl is crushed. 298 Then the fountain’s jar is ruptured, and the water-wheel is crushed. 299

297

When the silver cord is broken: Or, ASV: before the silver cord is loosed; BAS: is cut; JPS: is snapped asunder. Perhaps that which links us to life as a slender thread of silver. Some see it as the spinal cord flowing out from the brain. When this “cord” is broken, in whatever position the body may be, it collapses as though paralyzed. Youth, one day your “silver cord will snap.” It will likely be by heart attack or stroke, though you might also slowly die over an agonizing period of time due to disease.

298

The golden bowl is crushed: Or, BAS: the golden bowl is broken; JPS: shattered; JB: the golden lamp has been broken. Most see the brain here. Youth, you may die by a stroke to the brain and die suddenly, or you may be partially paralyzed and die over time. Everything in that “golden bowl” will perish. Compare Psalm 146:3, 4; Ecclesiastes 9:4, 5. Instantly all thinking will stop as though the lights went out. You will at first look like you are sleeping, but you are not.

299

Then the fountain’s jar is ruptured, and the water-wheel is crushed: Or, ASV: or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern; BAS: the pot is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the water-hole; NAB: and the broken pulley falls into the well. Most understand the heart and its failure at death. Should death come while at the well with a clay jar it will be dropped and shattered or fall into the well. Youth, that sturdy and loyal heart will one day fail you and you will die of a sudden heart attack. At some point to remain alive you will either take medications to extend your life, or you will have some implant to keep the heart beating for a while longer.

EC12:7 Then the dust [1 Corinthians 15:47] returns to its ground as it was, 300 and the life-breath returns to The God who gave it. 301

300

Then the dust returns to its ground as it was: Or, BAS: the dust goes back to the earth as it was; LXX: dust [KHOUS] also return to the earth. At death the majority of humans are buried in the ground or in some other way “return” to the ground or earth. The word “returns” alludes to Genesis 2:7 where the first man was created from the clay of Eden. Return to Ecclesiastes 3:20. [Genesis 3:19; Job 34:15; Psalm 146:4] Youth, at the end of the day your body will be laid to rest in the ground, buried at sea, cremated, or devoured by birds, animals or fish. It is something to think about. [Ecclesiastes 7:2]

301

The life-breath returns to The God who gave it: Or, ASV: and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it; BAS: the spirit goes back to God who gave it; LXX: the spirit [PNEUMA] return to God [TON THEON] who gave it; JB: the breath to God; NAB: the life breath returns to God who gave it. This is a much abused and twisted phrase, for many see it as proof of “life after death.” They would have the “spirit” here to be the conscious individual who upon death “returns” to live with God. Of course, this would mean they once pre-existed as spiritual beings with God. It will also mean that all sorts of historical tyrants such as Adolph Hitler would “return to God.” Just as Solomon as alluded to Genesis 2:7 in the previous phrase when he mentions “dust,” so here he again alludes to that original breath breathed into Adam. This “breath” has been passed along from parent to child to us. Essentially this breath is the life-principle kept vital by breathing. Both the Hebrew and Greek words may be rendered wind or breath as invisible pressures or forces. Return to Ecclesiastes 3:21. Compare numerous verses where “breath” [or, spirit] is used. [Job 27:3; 32:8; 33:4; 34:14; Psalm 104:29; Isaiah 42:5; Ezekiel 37:5, 6, 8, 10; Zechariah 12:1] Compare notes on Acts 17:25 and James 2:26] Youth, when you die your breath will escape you and the life-principle will go out like a lamp. [Matthew 27:50; John 19:30] You will not breathe in again. That “breath” [or, life-principle sustain by breathing] “returns” to the One who gave it first to Adam. Jesus did not teach that all went to heaven. [John 3:13] For details see the work Where Are The Dead?

EC12:8 “O how absolutely futile,” says the Public Speaker, “everything is completely futile!” 302

302

O how absolutely futile,” says the Public Speaker, “everything is completely futile: Or, ASV: Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity; BAS: All things are to no purpose, says the Preacher, all is to no purpose. Solomon ends with the theme he began. [Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14] This is the conclusion to Solomon’s description of old age and death. If each person who died “returned” to The God as some wish to read Ecclesiastes 12:7 then it would not be a great calamity or vanity. It would be the most blessed of all experiences. It seems clear that death is not a return to God as a conscious being. The slow deterioration of the human body after about the age of 30-40 with the finality of death is the greatest vanity.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 – The All Important Concluding Point

EC12:9 Now as a wise person the Public Speaker continued to teach knowledge to the people, carefully searching and arranging many proverbs. 303

303

Now as a wise person the Public Speaker continued to teach knowledge to the people, carefully searching and arranging many proverbs: Or, BAS: And because the Preacher was wise he still gave the people knowledge; searching out, testing, and putting in order a great number of wise sayings; LXX: he taught man excellent knowledge [GNOSIN], and the ear will trace out the parables [COSMION PARABOLON]. The Greek phrasing points to something well-arranged or ordered as the word COSMOS is used. Compare 1 Kings 3:12; 4:32; 10:3, 8, 23; Proverbs 1:1. Jesus knew and believed this. [Luke 11:31]

EC12:10 The Public Speaker searched to discover delightful and agreeable words, writing down statements of truth. 304

304

The Public Speaker searched to discover delightful and agreeable words, writing down statements of truth: Or, ASV: The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth; BAS: And because the Preacher was wise he still gave the people knowledge; searching out, testing, and putting in order; LXX: set in order many proverbs. [Proverbs 15:23; 16:21, 24; 25:11] The work Ecclesiastes is a statement of divine truths. Jesus viewed the Hebrew Bible as “truth.” [John 17:17]

EC12:11 Wise words are like cattle prods, and collections of wise-sayings – provided by One Shepherd – are like nails hammered home. 305

305

Wise words are like cattle prods, and collections of wise-sayings – provided by One Shepherd – are like nails hammered home: Or, ASV: The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd; BAS: The words of the wise are pointed, and sayings grouped together are like nails fixed with a hammer; they are given by one guide; JPS: The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd; LXX: The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails firmly fastened, which have been given from one shepherd by agreement; KNX: sharp goads they are to sting us, sharp nails driven deep home… all echoing one shepherd’s voice; RSV: one Shepherd. There are different opinions regarding this “one shepherd.” Some see Moses, others Solomon, and others The God. [Psalm 23:1; 80:1] The work Ecclesiastes is not the vain babbling of a disillusioned old man, but divine truths by the inspiration of The God. [2 Timothy 3:15-17]

EC12:12 Listen closely to this warning, my child: there is never an end to publishing more books, 306 and so a lot of devotion to them is tiresome to the body. 307

306

Listen closely to this warning, my child: there is never an end to publishing more books: Or, BAS: And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; BAS: And further, my son, take note of this: of the making of books there is no end. Solomon is still speaking to the youth. No one can ever read all the books available, and since time is limited one must be careful where such energy and effort is used. Some books do deserve to be burned. [Acts 19:19]

307

And so a lot of devotion to them is tiresome to the body: Or, ASV: and much study is a weariness of the flesh; BAS: and much learning is a weariness to the flesh; JPS: much study. Return to Ecclesiastes 1:18. This is not a condemnation of all study, for Solomon encourages such throughout the Proverbs. It is devotion to the wrong kind of books that only add to the futility of life. Much time has been wasted on books for day-dreams, for intellectual pursuits, or for study of the wrong things. [Colossians 2:8] A person cannot read everything so there must be some discernment in what is read and studied. Obviously if a person devotes more time to “worldly” books than those from the One Shepherd then only more futility will be finally experienced. Note the thoughts of one ancient ruler. [Acts 26:24]

EC12:13 Now after listening to everything, the final summary is this: 308 Fear The God [Revelation 14:7] and keep His commandments, 309 for this is the entire obligation of all humankind. 310

308	Now after listening to everything, the final summary is this: Or, BAS: This is the last word; LXX: the end of the matter TELOS LOGOU]; SPR: let us listen to the conclusion of the whole subject. Here comes the bottom line and the main point to everything Solomon has studied and written.

309

Fear The God and keep His commandments: Or, BAS: Have fear of God and keep his laws; LXX: Fear God [TON THEON PHOBOU], and keep his commandments. The phrase “Fear The God” is the same as the PHOBETHETE TON THEON of Revelation 14:7. This is what Yahweh asked His people to do. [Deuteronomy 6:2; 10:12] The fear of God is a Biblical theme. [Job 28:28; Psalm 66:16; 111:10; 119:35; Proverbs 1:7; 8:13; 9:10] Christians are to have the same fear. [Acts 13:16, 26; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 2:12; 1 Peter 2:17] The “commandments” of God in the Christian Bible may be reduced to two matters. [1 John 3:23; 5:3] There are essentially only two approaches to life “under the sun”: a] live as though God did not exist, “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die”; or, b] live as though God existed and He will judge your life “under the sun.” The former seeks complete self-satisfaction –self-centered and self-absorbed – with no thought of others, for humans are but mere animals at the end of a long evolution. The lifestyle that is God-centered and Christ-minded follows the wise counsel in Ecclesiastes and yet remembers God will ultimately judge every attitude, word or deed. Jesus taught this. [Matthew 12:25-37; John 5:29]

310

For this is the entire obligation of all humankind: Or, ASV: for this is the whole duty of man; BAS: this is right for every man; LXX: for this is the whole man; BAG: this conclusion every man should draw; SPR: for this is required of man; NEB: there is no more to man than this. To the Hebrews and Jews this meant the observance of the Torah. Those non-Jewish nations without the revealed Law have a God-given conscience [“the universal human conscience”] by which to judge right or wrong. [Romans 2:12-16]

EC12:14 For The God will bring every action into judgment, 311 concerning every secret matter [1 Corinthians 4:5] whether good or bad. 312 [2 Corinthians 5:10]

311

For The God will bring every action into judgment: Or, ASV: For God will bring every work into judgment; BAS: God will be judge of every work; LXX: God [HO THEOS] will bring every work into judgment; NEB: God brings everything we do to judgment. The very thought points to a resurrection so such can be judged. Divine judgment is a major Biblical theme. For details see the Biblical Article God and Judgment. Solomon has already mentioned such divine judgment. Return to Ecclesiastes 3:17; 11:9. Note that Revelation 20:12 alludes to Psalm 62:12. The Nazarene taught there would be a Judgment Day. [Matthew 10:15; 11:22, 24; 12:36, 41, 42; John 3:19; 5:29, 30] So did the early Church. [Romans 2:2, 3, 5, 15, 16; 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 6:2; 9:27; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17] All humanity will be resurrected to Judgment Day and be judged on the prior conduct. [Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 23; Revelation 20:12-14] Though Solomon recommends seeking joy out of life “under the sun” by being satisfied with the necessary essentials, he cautions – as does the rest of the Bible – to remember everything we do will be judged by God.

312

Concerning every secret matter whether good or bad: Or, BAS: good or evil; ASV: every hidden thing. Paul echoes such “secrets” in 1 Corinthians 4:5. He uses a similar phrase of “good and vile” at 2 Corinthians 5:10. Compare Daniel 12:2 with John 5:29. All “secrets” will be brought in the Divine Light and judged. [Luke 12:2; 1 Timothy 5:24] “Good” may be essentially defined as that which works kindness and generosity to another, while “bad” is that which is harmful to another. On “good” and “goodness” see Matthew 12:35; Romans 2:7, 10; 12:9, 21; 13:3, 4; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:10; 5:10; 6:18; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 2:14, 15; 3:16, 17; 3 John 11. Ecclesiastes has confirmed what Paul wrote in Romans 8:20, “The human creation was subjected to a vain and empty life [WEY: futility], not of its own will but through the One who subjected it.” Solomon urges – despite this life of “complete futility under the sun” – to find joy and satisfaction in life’s necessities. However, this life should be lived with the full understanding that The God will judge every deed on Judgment Day. Youth, particularly, do well to think upon this and follow this wise advice in search of a worthwhile life, while avoiding the worthless or futile.