Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

Epilogue.

Ecclesiastes 12:9 is an editor's praise of Qoheleth, who is identified with Solomon, the sage compiler of proverbial wisdom, who wrote words of truth in a pleasing and elegant (acceptable) style; uprightly may also refer to correctness of form.

Ecclesiastes 12:11 a reminds us of the stimulus of a good teacher; Socrates called himself the gadfly of Athens, and the words of Pericles were said to have a sting in them.

Ecclesiastes 12:11 b may be rendered Like nails driven home are collections of sayings made by one master; the only difficulty is that Shepherd in OT usually refers to God. As to what lies beyond these (cf. mg.) there is need of warning; one can easily miss the true way in one's reading, perhaps a reference to heathen libraries, and a good deal of Jewish literature which the writer regarded as unedifying. study: cf. Ecclesiastes 1:18; the word seems to mean close application.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 f. The last words of the pious annotator of Ecclesiastes 3:17; Ecclesiastes 11:9 b, etc. What man should really devote and apply himself to is the fear of God and the keeping of His commandments. Whole belongs to man, and should be translated every; for the literal expression, this is every man, cf. Psalms 109:4, I am prayer; Psalms 11:03, Thy people are free-will offerings.

Ecclesiastes 12:14. Render, For God shall bring every work into the judgment concerning every secret thing, etc.

(See also Supplement)