Ecclesiastes 12:13

¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

Let us hear {H8085} the conclusion {H5490} of the whole matter {H1697}: Fear {H3372} God {H430}, and keep {H8104} his commandments {H4687}: for this is the whole duty of man {H120}.

Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear God, and keep his mitzvot; this is what being human is all about.

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

This isthe end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

Commentary

Context

Ecclesiastes 12:13 stands as the powerful, culminating summary of the entire book of Ecclesiastes. Throughout the preceding chapters, the Preacher (Hebrew: Qoheleth), traditionally identified as King Solomon, embarks on an exhaustive philosophical and experiential quest for meaning and purpose in life "under the sun." He explores the futility of wisdom, pleasure, labor, wealth, and status, repeatedly concluding that all is "vanity of vanities" (Hebrew: hebel hebelim), a term signifying fleetingness, emptiness, or breath, as seen in Ecclesiastes 1:2. After dissecting the transient nature of earthly pursuits and the inevitability of death, the Preacher arrives at this definitive, concise declaration, offering the ultimate conclusion to his profound existential inquiry.

Key Themes

  • The Conclusion of the Matter: This phrase signals the grand summation, the final verdict after a long and winding intellectual journey. It provides the resolved answer to the central question of life's meaning.
  • Fear God: This is not a call to terror, but to profound reverence, awe, respect, and submission to the Almighty Creator. It implies acknowledging God's sovereignty, wisdom, and power, and living in light of His ultimate authority. This concept is foundational to biblical wisdom, as highlighted in Proverbs 9:10.
  • Keep His Commandments: This theme emphasizes obedience as the natural outflow of genuine reverence for God. It means aligning one's life with God's revealed will and moral law. This is not merely intellectual assent but active, practical devotion.
  • The Whole Duty of Man: The KJV's addition of "duty" (though not explicitly in the Hebrew) accurately conveys the comprehensive nature of this command. The Hebrew phrase kol ha'adam literally means "all of man" or "the whole man," suggesting that fearing God and keeping His commandments encompasses the entirety of human existence—our purpose, our essence, and our fulfillment. It is the core reason for our being and the path to genuine meaning, contrasting sharply with the "vanity" found in earthly pursuits.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Fear God" translates the Hebrew yirah Elohim. Yirah often denotes awe and reverence, not just terror, highlighting a respectful submission to divine authority. The phrase "the whole [duty] of man" comes from the Hebrew kol ha'adam. While "duty" is an interpretive addition in the KJV, it effectively communicates that this principle applies to every aspect of human life and is the complete purpose for which humanity was created, binding all people.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 12:13 offers timeless wisdom for navigating life's complexities. In a world often searching for purpose in fleeting pleasures, material possessions, or worldly achievements, this verse redirects our focus to the eternal. It teaches that true meaning and lasting satisfaction are found not in what we accumulate or experience "under the sun," but in our relationship with God. Living a life characterized by reverence for God and obedience to His commands provides a stable foundation, a clear moral compass, and a profound sense of purpose that transcends the vanity of earthly endeavors. It calls us to live intentionally, recognizing our Creator and striving to live according to His divine will, which ultimately leads to a life of true fulfillment and significance, as echoed in Jesus' teaching on the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 10:12 (79 votes)

    ¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

  • Micah 6:8 (53 votes)

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Deuteronomy 6:2 (53 votes)

    That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

  • Psalms 111:10 (46 votes)

    The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

  • Psalms 112:1 (46 votes)

    ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

  • Job 28:28 (37 votes)

    And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.

  • Psalms 145:19 (34 votes)

    He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.