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

1So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain; 3when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim, 4and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint,

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 is sweet, and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun.
• Genesis 27:1When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he was almost blind, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son!” “Here I am!” Esau replied.
• Genesis 48:10Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of his age; he was not able to see well. So Joseph brought his sons near to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
• 1 Samuel 3:2Eli’s eyes had begun to fail, so that he was unable to see well. At that time he was lying down in his place,
• 1 Samuel 4:15Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes looked straight ahead; he was unable to see.
• Psalms 42:7One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls; all your billows and waves overwhelm me.
• Psalms 71:20Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress, revive me once again! Bring me up once again from the depths of the earth!
• Psalms 77:16The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and trembled. Yes, the depths of the sea shook with fear.

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