Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

8 "1Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "all is vanity!"

Purpose of the Preacher

9 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged 2many proverbs.
10 The Preacher sought to find 3delightful words and to write 4words of truth correctly.
11 The 5words of wise men are like 6goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven 7nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of 8many books is endless *, and excessive 9devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion *, when all has been heard, is: 10fear God and 11keep His commandments, because this applies to 12every person.
14 For 13God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 12

This chapter begins with advice to young men, which is continued from the preceding; and particularly to remember their Creator in the days of their youth; enforced from the consideration of the troubles and inconveniences of old age, Ec 12:1; which, in an allegorical way, is beautifully described, Ec 12:2-6; and from the certainty of death, when it would be too late, Ec 12:7. And then the wise man returns to his first proposition, and which he kept in view all along, that all is vanity in youth or old age, Ec 12:8; and recommends the reading of this book, from the diligence, pains and labour, he used in composing it; from the sententious matter in it; from the agreeable, acceptable, and well chosen words, in which he had expressed it; and from the wisdom, uprightness, truth, efficacy, and authority of the doctrines of it, Ec 12:9-11; and from its preference to other books, which were wearisome both to author and reader, Ec 12:12. And it is concluded with the scope and design, the sum and substance of the whole of it, reducible to these two heads; the fear of God, and obedience to him, Ec 12:13; and which are urged from the consideration of a future judgment, into which all things shall be brought, Ec 12:14.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Ecclesiastes 1:2
  • 2. 1 Kings 4:32
  • 3. Proverbs 10:32
  • 4. Proverbs 22:20, 21
  • 5. Proverbs 1:6; Proverbs 22:17; Ecclesiastes 7:5; Ecclesiastes 10:12
  • 6. Acts 2:37
  • 7. Ezra 9:8; Isaiah 22:23
  • 8. 1 Kings 4:32
  • 9. Ecclesiastes 1:18
  • 10. Ecclesiastes 3:14; Ecclesiastes 5:7; Ecclesiastes 7:18; Ecclesiastes 8:12
  • 11. Deuteronomy 4:2; Ecclesiastes 8:5
  • 12. Deuteronomy 10:12; Micah 6:8
  • 13. Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 11:9; Matthew 10:26; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5

Footnotes 2

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