Translations
Modern
…when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.
Traditional
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Literal
…they are afraid even from height and terrors in the way; for the almond tree blossoms, and the grasshopper carries itself along and the caper berry breaks off, because man is going to his eternal home, and those mourning go around in the street—
Latin
…excelsa quoque timebunt, et formidabunt in via. Florebit amygdalus, impinguabitur locusta, et dissipabitur capparis, quoniam ibit homo in domum æternitatis suæ, et circuibunt in platea plangentes.
Original
Hebrew
English
…when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.
Notes
In the ancient Near East, people knew the caperberry as a love-enhancing food.
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
Almonds Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Grasshopper: General Scriptures Concerning Mourning: Hired Mourners Old Age: General Scriptures Concerning Select Readings: Old Age Trees: Almond