Ecclesiastes 12:2

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

1Remember to serve God while you are young. He is the one who made you. Your life will have many troubles in the future. During those years, you will say, ‘I do not enjoy my life any more.’ When you are old, the light from the sun will not seem to be bright. You will not see the moon or the stars. There will always be dark clouds after the rain. 3Your arms that have kept you safe will shake. Your legs will become weak. You will have only a few teeth to eat with. Your eyes will no longer see very well. 4Your ears will not hear noises outside in the streets. You will not hear the sound of people as they work. You will not hear the sound of people as they sing songs. But a bird's song will wake you when you want to sleep.

Ecclesiastes 12:2 word by word

עַ֠ד אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תֶחְשַׁ֤ךְ הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ וְהָא֔וֹר וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ וְהַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים וְשָׁ֥בוּ הֶעָבִ֖ים אַחַ֥ר הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• While the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
• or the lightאוֹר'ôr · lightH216
• or the moonיָרֵחַyârêach · moonH3394
• or the starsכּוֹכָבkôkâb · starH3556
• be not darkenedחָשַׁךְchâshak · to darkenH2821
• nor the cloudsעָב‛âb · cloudH5645
• returnשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• afterאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• the rainגֶּ֫שֶׁםgeshem · rainH1653

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:2

• Ecclesiastes 11:7Light makes people happy. It is good to see the sun rise in the morning.
• Genesis 27:1Isaac became old. He could not see anything because his eyes were weak. He called for his older son, Esau. Isaac said, ‘My son.’ Esau replied, ‘Yes, I am here.’
• Genesis 48:10Jacob's eyes had become weak because he was very old. He was almost blind. So Joseph brought his sons near to his father. His father kissed them and he hugged them.
• 1 Samuel 3:2Eli's eyes had become weak. He could not see very well. One night, he was sleeping in his usual place.
• 1 Samuel 4:15Eli was now 98 years old and he could not see at all.
• Psalms 42:7I hear your waterfalls make a noise like thunder. It seems like all that water is pouring over me and it knocks me down to the ground.
• Psalms 71:20You have caused me to have many bad troubles. But you will make my life strong again. You will lift me back out from this deep hole under the earth.
• Psalms 77:16The waters of the sea saw you, God. When they saw you, they shook with fear! Even the deepest seas were afraid.

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

• Moon
• Old Age
• Readings, Select
• Stars

In the dictionaries

• Allegory
• Cloud
• Conclusion
• Creator
• Heed
• Judgment
• Moon
• Remember
• Whole
• Astronomy

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