Tyndale Open Study NotesEcclesiastes 12

Remember 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.

This beautiful prose poem, rich with Hebrew metaphors, describes the painful decline that comes with aging. It continues from Ecclesiastes 11:7–10.

The New Living Translation explains the Hebrew metaphors like:

• keepers of the house (guards)

• strong men

• those grinding (servants)

• those watching through windows (women)

It also interprets these poetic elements as:

• Legs

• Shoulders

• Teeth

• Eyes

In the ancient Near East, people knew the caperberry as a love-enhancing food.

• The silver cord and the golden bowl, like human life, are very valuable.

• The body is like a simple clay jar that is fragile and easily broken (compare Isaiah 29:16; Jeremiah 19:1, 10–11; 22:28; 2 Corinthians 4:7).

• dust returns to the ground: See Genesis 2:7; 3:19.

• The idea that the spirit will return to God who gave it suggests a belief in an afterlife (compare Ecclesiastes 3:21; see “The Afterlife” Theme Note).

This almost exact repetition of Ecclesiastes 1:2 summarizes the Teacher's conclusion.

This final note by the editor (see “Author and Recipients” in the Book Introduction) shows respect for the Teacher. It urges readers to apply the Teacher's lessons and shares the editor’s conclusion from studying the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

Even as king (Ecclesiastes 1:1), the Teacher made time to study wisdom. He gathered and organized proverbs (see also 1 Kings 4:29–34; Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 25:1).

• goads...firmly embedded nails: Sometimes, painful lessons guide us to paths we prefer to avoid.

• a single Shepherd: This word might refer to God as the shepherd of his people (Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11). The sentence could also compare the wise person's words to a shepherd's work in caring for his flock.

A balanced approach to writing and studying wisdom allows time to use it and enjoy its benefits.

The 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).