Ecclesiastes 12

12:1-7 This beautiful prose poem, which uses many metaphors in Hebrew, describes the torturous deterioration of aging (in continuation of 11:7-10).12:1-2 Don’t . . . forget your Creator: Reverence for God can give wisdom (Prov 1:7) and guidance as to what will be beneficial in this life and pleasing to God at the judgment (Eccl 12:13-14). It is better to remember God when young, when wisdom can make a real difference in life’s results.

12:3 The NLT translates the Hebrew metaphors (guards . . . strong men . . . servants . . . women) and also provides an interpretation of these poetic elements (legs . . . shoulders . . . teeth . . . eyes).

12:5 The caperberry was well known in the ancient Near East as an aphrodisiac.

12:6 The silver cord and the golden bowl, like human life, are very valuable. • The body is like a common earthen jar that is fragile and soon broken (cp. Isa 29:16; Jer 19:1, 10-11; 22:28; 2 Cor 4:7).

12:7 the dust will return to the earth: See Gen 2:7; 3:19. • That the spirit will return to God who gave it hints at belief in an afterlife (cp. Eccl 3:21; see “The Afterlife” Theme Note).

12:8 This nearly verbatim repetition of 1:2 sums up the Teacher’s conclusion.

12:9-14 This coda by the editor (see “Author and Recipients” in the Book Introduction) expresses the editor’s respect for the Teacher, exhorts readers to apply his teaching, and gives the editor’s own conclusion from studying the Teacher (12:13-14).12:9 Even as king (1:1), the Teacher found time to study wisdom. He collected and arranged proverbs (see also 1 Kgs 4:29-34; Prov 1:1; 10:1; 25:1).

12:11 cattle prods . . . nail-studded stick: Painful lessons are sometimes required to direct us into paths that we would rather not take. • a shepherd: This word is possibly an allusion to God as the shepherd of his people (Ps 23:1; Isa 40:11). The sentence might also just be comparing the words of the wise to the work that any shepherd does in taking care of his flock.

12:12 A moderate approach to writing and studying wisdom leaves enough time to apply it and enjoy its fruits.

12:13-14 The editor’s conclusion from studying the Teacher’s work is to fear God (see 3:14; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12-13), which includes the need to obey his commands, because everything we do will be judged (see 11:9; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27).