Ecclesiastes 12:2

Translations

Modern

…before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,

Traditional

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

Literal

While that the sun is not darkened, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, and the clouds return after the rain,

Latin

…antequam tenebrescat sol, et lumen, et luna, et stellæ, et revertantur nubes post pluviam;

Original

Hebrew

English

…before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,

Notes

Ecclesiastes 12:1–2

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.

Ecclesiastes 12:1–7

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

Theme notes and profiles

Death Remember Him The Creator-King

Related verses

Isaiah 5:30
In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.
1 Samuel 4:15
Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his gaze was fixed because he could not see.
1 Samuel 4:18
As soon as the ark of God was mentioned, Eli fell backward from his chair by the city gate, and being old and heavy, he broke his neck and died. And Eli had judged Israel forty years.
1 Samuel 3:2
And at that time Eli, whose eyesight had grown so dim that he could not see, was lying in his room.
Psalm 42:7
Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.
Psalm 71:20
Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.
Genesis 27:1
When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” Esau replied.
Genesis 48:10
Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them.
Ezekiel 32:7–8
When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.
Psalm 77:16
The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.
Ecclesiastes 11:7–8
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

Glossary

Age Book of Ecclesiastes

Topics

Moon: Its Light Old Age: General Scriptures Concerning Select Readings: Old Age Stars: Darkening of

Ecclesiastes 12:2

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