Darby Bible
Ecclesiastes 12:2
2before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
Ecclesiastes 12:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
- New International Version (NIV)before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
- English Standard Version (ESV)before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,
- New King James Version (NKJV)While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain;
Context of Ecclesiastes 12:2
1And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, of which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; 3in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows are darkened, 4and the doors are shut toward the street; when the sound of the grinding is subdued, and they rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low;
Read all of Ecclesiastes 12Ecclesiastes 12:2 word by word
עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תֶחְשַׁ֤ךְ הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וְהָא֔וֹר וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים וְשָׁ֥בוּ הֶעָבִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:2
- Ecclesiastes 11:7Now the light is sweet, and pleasant is it to the eyes to see the sun;
- Genesis 27:1And it came to pass when Isaac had become old, and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, that he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, My son! And he said to him, Here am I.
- Genesis 48:10But the eyes of Israel were heavy from age: he could not see. And he brought them nearer to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
- 1 Samuel 3:2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli lay in his place (now his eyes began to grow dim, he could not see),
- 1 Samuel 4:15Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, that he could not see.
- Psalms 42:7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy cataracts; all thy breakers and thy billows are gone over me.
- Psalms 71:20Thou, who hast shewn us many and sore troubles, wilt revive us again, and wilt bring us up again from the depths of the earth;
- Psalms 77:16The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they trembled, yea, the depths were troubled:
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened - i.e., in the Spring, prime, and prosperity of life. Nor the clouds return - The infirmities of old age of which Winter is a proper emblem, as spring is of youth, in the former clause of this verse.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2While not - Or, Before. The darkening of the lights of heaven denotes a time of affliction and sadness. Compare Ezekiel 32:7-8; Job 3:9; Isaiah 5:30. Contrast this representation of old age with 2 Samuel 23:4-5.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2Remember your Creator: Reverence for God can provide wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) and guidance on what is beneficial in life and pleasing to God at judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). It is better to remember God when young, as wisdom can greatly impact life's outcomes.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Illustrating "the evil days" (Jr 13:16). "Light," "sun," &c., express prosperity; "darkness," pain and calamity (Is 13:10; 30:26). clouds ... after ... rain--After rain sunshine (comfort) might be looked for, but only a brief glimpse of it is given, and the gloomy clouds (pains) return.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 12:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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