1 Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
- now thy Creator H1254 (בָּרָא) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
- in the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of thy youth H979 (בְּחֻרוֹת) — youth (collectively and abstractly)
- while the evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- not, nor the years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- draw nigh H5060 (נָגַע) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire);…
- when thou shalt say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- I have no pleasure H2656 (חֵפֶץ) — pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
2 before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- While the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- or the light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
- or the moon H3394 (יָרֵחַ) — the moon
- or the stars H3556 (כּוֹכָב) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
- be not darkened H2821 (חָשַׁךְ) — to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
- nor the clouds H5645 (עָב) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
- return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- the rain H1653 (גֶּשֶׁם) — a shower
3 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 shall be darkened,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- In the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- when the keepers H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- of the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- shall tremble H2111 (זוּעַ) — properly, to shake off, i.e. (figuratively) to agitate (as with fear)
- and the strong H2428 (חַיִל) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
- men H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
- shall bow H5791 (עָוַת) — to wrest
- themselves, and the grinders H2912 (טָחַן) — to grind meal; hence, to be a concubine (that being their employment)
- cease H988 (בָּטֵל) — to desist from labor
- because they are few H4591 (מָעַט) — properly, to pare off, i.e. lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
- and those that look out H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- of the windows H699 (אֲרֻבָּה) — a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)
- be darkened H2821 (חָשַׁךְ) — to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
4 and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And the doors H1817 (דֶּלֶת) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door
- shall be shut H5462 (סָגַר) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
- in the streets H7784 (שׁוּק) — a street (as run over)
- when the sound H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
- of the grinding H2913 (טַחֲנָה) — a hand mill; hence (figuratively) chewing
- is low H8217 (שָׁפָל) — depressed, literally or figuratively
- and he shall rise up H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
- at the voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
- of the bird H6833 (צִפּוֹר) — a little bird (as hopping)
- and all the daughters H1323 (בַּת) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
- of musick H7892 (שִׁיר) — a song; abstractly, singing
- shall be brought low H7817 (שָׁחַח) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative)
5 yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- they shall be afraid H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- high H1364 (גָּבֹהַּ) — elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant
- and fears H2849 (חַתְחַת) — terror
- in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- and the almond tree H8247 (שָׁקֵד) — the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom)
- shall flourish H5006 (נָאַץ) — to scorn; or (in Ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for 5132, to bloom
- and the grasshopper H2284 (חָגָב) — a locust
- shall be a burden H5445 (סָבַל) — to carry (literally or figuratively), or (reflexively) be burdensome; specifically, to be gravid
- and desire H35 (אֲבִיּוֹנָה) — provocative of desire; the caper berry (from its stimulative taste)
- shall fail H6565 (פָּרַר) — to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate
- because man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- goeth H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- to his long H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
- home H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- and the mourners H5594 (סָפַד) — properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as Orientals do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail
- go about H5437 (סָבַב) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
- the streets H7784 (שׁוּק) — a street (as run over)
6 before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Or ever H3808 (לֹא) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
- the silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- cord H2256 (חֶבֶל) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as…
- be loosed H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
- be loosed H7576 (רָתַק) — to fasten
- or the golden H2091 (זָהָב) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
- bowl H1543 (גֻּלָּה) — a fountain, bowl or globe (all as round)
- be broken H7533 (רָצַץ) — to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
- or the pitcher H3537 (כַּד) — properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes
- be broken H7665 (שָׁבַר) — to burst (literally or figuratively)
- at the fountain H4002 (מַבּוּעַ) — a fountain
- or the wheel H1534 (גַּלְגַּל) — a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)
- broken H7533 (רָצַץ) — to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
- at the cistern H953 (בּוֹר) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
7 and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then shall the dust H6083 (עָפָר) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
- return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- to the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- as it was: and the spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- shall return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- unto God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- who gave H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- of vanities H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- saith H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- the preacher H6953 (קֹהֶלֶת) — a (female) assembler (i.e. lecturer); abstractly, preaching (used as a 'nom de plume', Koheleth)
9 And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And moreover H3148 (יוֹתֵר) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
- because the preacher H6953 (קֹהֶלֶת) — a (female) assembler (i.e. lecturer); abstractly, preaching (used as a 'nom de plume', Koheleth)
- was wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- he still taught H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
- the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
- knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- yea, he gave good heed H239 (אָזַן) — to weigh, i.e. (figuratively) ponder
- and sought out H2713 (חָקַר) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
- set in order H8626 (תָּקַן) — to equalize, i.e. straighten (intransitive or transitive); figuratively, to compose
- many H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- proverbs H4912 (מָשָׁל) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The preacher H6953 (קֹהֶלֶת) — a (female) assembler (i.e. lecturer); abstractly, preaching (used as a 'nom de plume', Koheleth)
- sought H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- to find out H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- acceptable H2656 (חֵפֶץ) — pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
- words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- written H3789 (כָּתַב) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
- upright H3476 (יֹשֶׁר) — the right
- of truth H571 (אֶמֶת) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
11 The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of the wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- as goads H1861 (דׇּרְבוֹן) — a goad
- and as nails H4930 (מַשְׂמְרָה) — a peg
- fastened H5193 (נָטַע) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
- the masters H1167 (בַּעַל) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
- of assemblies H627 (אֲסֻפָּה) — a collection of (learned) men (only in the plural)
- are given H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- from one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- shepherd H7462 (רָעָה) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
12 And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And further H3148 (יוֹתֵר) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
- by these H1992 (הֵם) — they (only used when emphatic)
- my son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- be admonished H2094 (זָהַר) — to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution)
- of making H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- many H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- books H5612 (סֵפֶר) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
- no end H7093 (קֵץ) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
- and much H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- study H3854 (לַהַג) — intense mental application
- a weariness H3024 (יְגִעָה) — fatigue
- of the flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
13 This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let us hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- the conclusion H5490 (סוֹף) — a termination
- of the whole matter H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- Fear H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- and keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- his commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
- of man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- shall bring H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- every work H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- into judgment H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
- with every secret thing H5956 (עָלַם) — to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively)
- good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)