Translations
Modern
…on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,
Traditional
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
Literal
…in the day the guards of the house tremble, and the men of strength bow down, and those gridning cease because they are few, and those looking out through the windows grow dim,
Latin
…quando commovebuntur custodes domus, et nutabunt viri fortissimi, et otiosæ erunt molentes in minuto numero, et tenebrescent videntes per foramina;
Original
Hebrew
English
…on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,
Notes
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
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
Glossary
Topics
Old Age: General Scriptures Concerning Select Readings: Old Age