Ecclesiastes 12:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Complete Jewish Bible:

So remember your creator while you are young, before the evil days come, and the years approach when you will say, "They no longer give me pleasure";

Berean Standard Bible:

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”

American Standard Version:

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;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Remember^{H2142} now thy Creator^{H1254} in the days^{H3117} of thy youth^{H979}, while the evil^{H7451} days^{H3117} come^{H935} not, nor the years^{H8141} draw nigh^{H5060}, when thou shalt say^{H559}, I have no pleasure^{H2656} in them;

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ecclesiastes 12:1

Ecclesiastes 12:1 is a verse that captures a central theme of the book, which is the pursuit of wisdom and understanding in the face of life's fleeting nature and ultimate vanity. The historical context of Ecclesiastes is rooted in the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the wise king of Israel, although modern scholarship often dates it to the Hellenistic period (roughly 300-200 BCE). This verse specifically addresses the reader to remember and honor their Creator during the days of their youth, before old age and its associated hardships set in.

The themes of the verse include the importance of spiritual and existential reflection early in life, the inevitability of aging and the decline that comes with it, and the recognition that youth is a precious time to cultivate a relationship with the divine. It speaks to the idea that there will come a time when one might look back with regret, having not made the most of their earlier years to seek meaning and connection with their Creator. The verse underscores the transient nature of life's pleasures and encourages the reader to prioritize spiritual pursuits before the opportunity to enjoy life's offerings diminishes. It serves as a poignant reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of living with intention and reverence for the divine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2142
   There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָכַר
   Transliteration: zâkar
   Pronunciation: zaw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from זָכָר; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male; [idiom] burn (incense), [idiom] earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, [idiom] still, think on, [idiom] well.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1254
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּרָא
   Transliteration: bârâʼ
   Pronunciation: baw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes); choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; 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 term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
4. Strong's Number: H979
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּחֻרוֹת
   Transliteration: bᵉchurôwth
   Pronunciation: bekh-oo-rothe'
   Description: or בְּחוּרוֹת; feminine plural of בָּחוּר; also (masculine plural) בְּחֻרִים; youth (collectively and abstractly); young men, youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
   
6. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
8. Strong's Number: H5060
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַע
   Transliteration: nâgaʻ
   Pronunciation: naw-gah'
   Description: a primitive root; 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); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
   
9. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2656
    There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֵפֶץ
    Transliteration: chêphets
    Pronunciation: khay'-fets
    Description: from חָפֵץ; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind); acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly.