Ecclesiastes 12:3

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 be darkened,

In the day {H3117} when the keepers {H8104} of the house {H1004} shall tremble {H2111}, and the strong {H2428} men {H582} shall bow {H5791} themselves, and the grinders {H2912} cease {H988} because they are few {H4591}, and those that look out {H7200} of the windows {H699} be darkened {H2821},

on the day when the guards of the house are trembling, and men of courage are bent over double; when the women stop grinding grain, because there are so few; when the women at the windows can no longer see out;

on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,

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,

Commentary

Ecclesiastes 12:3 is a vivid and poetic description of the physical decay that accompanies old age, serving as a powerful metaphor in the Preacher’s (Qoheleth's) discourse on the brevity and vanity of life without God.

Context

This verse is part of a larger passage in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, which uses rich allegorical language to paint a picture of human decline in the latter years. The Preacher urges his audience to "remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1) before the inevitable infirmities of old age set in and the spirit returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This passage stands as a stark reminder of human mortality and the wisdom of seeking God early.

Key Themes

  • Physical Decline of Old Age: The primary theme is the inevitable weakening and failure of the human body as one ages, presented through striking metaphors.
  • Mortality and Fragility of Life: The verse underscores the temporary nature of human existence and the fragility of our physical being.
  • Poetic Imagery: Ecclesiastes, part of the wisdom literature, frequently employs rich and evocative language. This verse is a prime example of its profound poetic expression to convey complex truths about life and death.

Linguistic and Metaphorical Insights

The beauty and insight of Ecclesiastes 12:3 lie in its highly symbolic language, where each phrase represents a specific aspect of physical aging:

  • "the keepers of the house shall tremble": This metaphor likely refers to the hands and arms, which are responsible for protecting and maintaining the body ("the house"). In old age, these limbs often lose their strength, become weak, or tremble due to neurological conditions or general frailty.
  • "and the strong men shall bow themselves": This imagery points to the legs and knees. Once strong and upright, they now bend, stoop, and struggle to support the body, leading to a hunched posture characteristic of old age.
  • "and the grinders cease because they are few": The "grinders" are a clear reference to the teeth. As people age, teeth often fall out, become worn, or are lost, making chewing ("grinding") food difficult or impossible.
  • "and those that look out of the windows be darkened": This refers to the eyes. Vision typically deteriorates with age, leading to cataracts, glaucoma, or general dimming of sight, as if the windows of the body are being obscured.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 12:3 serves as a profound meditation on the human condition. It reminds us:

  • To Cherish Youth: The passage as a whole encourages us to use our strength, health, and vitality in youth to seek and serve God, rather than waiting until physical abilities wane (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
  • To Embrace the Reality of Aging: It offers a realistic, albeit somber, portrayal of the aging process, fostering empathy for the elderly and prompting us to prepare for our own later years, not just physically but spiritually.
  • To Focus on the Eternal: By highlighting the temporary nature of our physical bodies, the verse implicitly points us towards what is eternal. The Preacher's ultimate conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12:13 is to "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

The vivid descriptions in this verse resonate across time, reminding every generation of the universal journey through life's stages and the ultimate call to remember our Creator.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 90:9

    For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale [that is told].

  • Psalms 90:10

    The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

  • Psalms 102:23

    ¶ He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

  • 2 Samuel 21:15

    ¶ Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.

  • 2 Samuel 21:17

    But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 3:2

    And it came to pass at that time, when Eli [was] laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, [that] he could not see;

  • Genesis 48:10

    Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
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