Ecclesiastes 12:13

Ecclesiastes 12:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
• New International Version (NIV)Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

Context of Ecclesiastes 12:13

11The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd. 12Be 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. Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 word by word

ס֥וֹף דָּבָ֖ר הַכֹּ֣ל נִשְׁמָ֑ע אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים יְרָא֙ וְאֶת־מִצְוֹתָ֣יו שְׁמ֔וֹר כִּי־זֶ֖ה כָּל־הָאָדָֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Let us hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• the conclusionסוֹףsôph · endH5490
• of the whole matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• Fearיָרֵאyârê' · to fear: revereH3372
• Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• and keepשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: obeyH8104
• his commandmentsמִצְוָהmitsvâh · commandmentH4687
• of manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 12:13

• Ecclesiastes 5:7Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!
• Ecclesiastes 8:12Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes and still live a long time, yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people – for they stand in fear before him.
• Genesis 22:12“Do not harm the boy!” the angel said. “Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”
• Deuteronomy 6:2and that you may so revere the Lord your God that you will keep all his statutes and commandments that I am giving you – you, your children, and your grandchildren – all your lives, to prolong your days.
• Deuteronomy 10:12Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being,
• Psalms 111:10To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. He will receive praise forever.
• Psalms 112:1Praise the Lord! How blessed is the one who obeys the Lord, who takes great delight in keeping his commands.
• Psalms 145:19He satisfies the desire of his loyal followers; he hears their cry for help and delivers them.
• Psalms 147:11The Lord takes delight in his faithful followers, and in those who wait for his loyal love.
• Proverbs 1:7Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• Proverbs 23:28Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.
• Psalms 115:13He will bless his loyal followers, both young and old.
• Proverbs 19:23Fearing the Lord leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity.
• Luke 1:50from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 12:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13After all, the sum of the great business of human life is comprised in this short sentence, on which some millions of books have been already written! Fear God, and Keep His Commandments Know that He Is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Reverence him; pay him adoration. Love him, that you may be happy. Keep his commandments - They are contained in two words: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart;" "And thy…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 This passage is properly regarded as the Epilogue of the whole book; a kind of apology for the obscurity of many of its sayings. The passage serves therefore to make the book more intelligible and more acceptable. Here, as in the beginning of the book Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, the Preacher speaks of himself Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 in the third person. He first repeats Ecclesiastes 12:8 the mournful, perplexing theme with which his musings began…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-14Verses 8-14 Solomon repeats his text, VANITY OF VANITIES, ALL IS VANITY. These are the words of one that could speak by dear-bought experience of the vanity of the world, which can do nothing to ease men of the burden of sin. As he considered the worth of souls, he gave good heed to what he spake and wrote; words of truth will always be acceptable words. The truths of God are as goads to such as are dull and draw back, and nails to such as are wandering…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14The editor concludes from studying the Teacher's work that we should fear God (see Ecclesiastes 3:14; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12–13). This means we must obey his commands, because everything we do will face judgment (see Ecclesiastes 11:9; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. The grand inference of the whole book. Fear God--The antidote to following creature idols, and "vanities," whether self-righteousness (Ec 7:16, 18), or wicked oppression and other evils (Ec 8:12, 13), or mad mirth (Ec 2:2; 7:2-5), or self-mortifying avarice (Ec 8:13, 17), or youth spent without God (Ec 11:9; 12:1). this is the whole duty of man--literally, "this is the whole man," the full ideal of man, as originally contemplated, realized wholly by…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 12:13

• Fear of God
• Investigation
• Obedience

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Conclusion
• Creator
• Heed
• Judgment
• Remember
• Whole
• Canon of the Old Testament
• Dead

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