Ecclesiastes 12:4

KJV

And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

KJV (with Strong's)

And the doors {H1817} shall be shut {H5462} in the streets {H7784}, when the sound {H6963} of the grinding {H2913} is low {H8217}, and he shall rise up {H6965} at the voice {H6963} of the bird {H6833}, and all the daughters {H1323} of musick {H7892} shall be brought low {H7817};

Complete Jewish Bible

when the doors to the streets are kept shut; when the noise from the grain-mill fades; when a person is startled by the chirp of a bird, yet their singing is hard to hear;

Berean Standard Bible

when the doors to the street are shut and the sound of the mill fades away, when one rises at the sound of a bird and all the daughters of song grow faint,

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 12:4 presents a profound allegorical depiction of the physical decline associated with old age, vividly portraying the gradual loss of sensory perception, physical capabilities, and the disruption of daily rhythms. It serves as a poignant illustration of the body's inevitable decay, contributing to the Preacher's overarching theme of the transient nature of human life and earthly pursuits, ultimately underscoring the urgency of seeking meaning and purpose in one's Creator before the onset of life's "evil days."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 12:4 is an integral part of an extended allegorical poem spanning [Ecclesiastes 12:1-7](/ecclesiastes/12-1-7 "Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 - The Allegory of Old Age"), which vividly describes the physical deterioration of the human body in old age. This passage immediately follows the Preacher's urgent exhortation in [Ecclesiastes 12:1](/ecclesiastes/12-1 "Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Your Creator") to "remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come." Verse 4 specifically focuses on the diminishing functionality of the senses and the body's internal clock, using common household and natural imagery to symbolize the slowing down and weakening of the aging individual. It builds upon the general decline mentioned in [Ecclesiastes 12:2-3](/ecclesiastes/12-2-3 "Ecclesiastes 12:2-3 - The Fading of Light and Strength"), setting the stage for the ultimate return of the body to dust and the spirit to God, as articulated in [Ecclesiastes 12:7](/ecclesiastes/12-7 "Ecclesiastes 12:7 - The Return to Dust and God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many pre-modern societies, old age was often accompanied by significant physical challenges due to the absence of advanced medical care. The imagery used in Ecclesiastes 12:4 draws from everyday experiences familiar to the original audience. "Doors shut in the streets" and "sound of the grinding is low" likely allude to the loss of teeth and the difficulty of eating, which would have been a common and debilitating aspect of aging. The reference to rising "at the voice of the bird" reflects the disturbed sleep patterns often experienced by the elderly, who might wake early with the dawn chorus. "Daughters of musick brought low" points to the common decline in hearing, making it difficult to enjoy music or participate in conversations. These metaphors would have resonated deeply with a people who observed these physical realities as an inevitable part of the human condition.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ecclesiastes. Primarily, it highlights the **physical decline and impermanence of life**, vividly illustrating how the human body, regardless of its youthful vigor, is ultimately subject to decay and dissolution. This physical frailty underscores the theme of `hebel` (often translated as "vanity" or "futility"), emphasizing that all earthly strength, beauty, and pleasures are temporary and ultimately unsatisfying when pursued apart from God. The verse also implicitly reinforces the theme of **wisdom and the urgency of seeking God**, as the inevitable approach of old age and death serves as a compelling reason to heed the Preacher's ultimate conclusion in [Ecclesiastes 12:13](/ecclesiastes/12-13 "Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Conclusion of the Whole Matter"): "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." The fading of physical capacities serves as a stark reminder that opportunities for active service and enjoyment of God's gifts are finite.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Doors (Hebrew, _deleth_):** H1817. Literally refers to "something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door." In this allegorical context, "doors" are widely interpreted as a metaphor for the lips or mouth. When these "doors are shut in the streets," it symbolizes the difficulty or inability of the elderly to eat publicly or with ease, perhaps due to tooth loss or weakened jaw muscles, leading to a more reclusive or restricted eating habit.
* **Grinding (Hebrew, _ṭachănâh_):** H2913. Derived from a root meaning "to grind," this term refers to a hand mill, and figuratively, to the act of chewing. The "sound of the grinding is low" vividly portrays the loss of teeth, which makes chewing food difficult, quiet, or even impossible, further emphasizing the decline in the ability to nourish oneself.
* **Daughters of Musick (Hebrew, _bath_ H1323, _shîyr_ H7892):** The term _bath_ literally means "daughter" and _shîyr_ means "song" or "singing." This poetic phrase, "daughters of musick," refers to those who sing or perform music, or more broadly, to the capacity for hearing and appreciating pleasant sounds. When they "shall be brought low," it signifies the decline of hearing, a common affliction of old age, diminishing one's ability to enjoy music, conversation, or the general pleasant sounds of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the doors shall be shut in the streets":** This clause allegorically describes the mouth, particularly the lips and teeth, becoming less functional or used publicly. It suggests a difficulty in eating or speaking, leading to a more withdrawn or private existence, as the physical act of consumption becomes a struggle rather than a social activity.
* **"when the sound of the grinding is low":** This phrase directly follows the previous one and reinforces the imagery of oral decay. "Grinding" refers to the act of chewing food, and its "low" sound indicates the loss of teeth, making mastication inefficient, quiet, or painful. It signifies a significant decline in the ability to process food, impacting both nutrition and enjoyment.
* **"and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird":** This clause shifts to another common characteristic of old age: disturbed sleep patterns. Unlike the deep sleep of youth, the elderly often experience lighter, more fragmented sleep, causing them to awaken early, even at the subtle sounds of nature like a bird's song at dawn. It highlights the loss of restful slumber and the body's altered circadian rhythm.
* **"and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low":** This final clause poetically refers to the decline of hearing. The "daughters of musick" symbolize the ability to perceive and enjoy sounds, especially pleasant ones like music. When they are "brought low," it means hearing is diminished, leading to a reduced capacity to appreciate auditory experiences and engage fully in communication.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 12:4 is rich in **Allegory**, as it forms part of an extended metaphorical description of the aging process. The entire passage (verses 1-7) functions as a sustained allegory, where physical decline is represented through vivid, relatable images. Specific instances of **Metaphor** are abundant: "the doors" are a metaphor for the lips/mouth, "the grinding" for chewing and teeth, and "the daughters of musick" for the faculty of hearing. Each of these metaphors employs **Symbolism**, where the literal image stands for a deeper, often physical, reality of aging. For example, the "shut doors" symbolize the difficulty of eating, and the "low grinding" symbolizes tooth loss. The phrase "daughters of musick" also employs a subtle form of **Personification**, giving human characteristics to the abstract concept of musical sounds or the ability to hear them, emphasizing their diminished presence. The cumulative effect of these devices is a highly evocative and poignant portrayal of human frailty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 12:4 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of human mortality and the transient nature of our physical existence. It reminds us that the body, though fearfully and wonderfully made, is ultimately subject to decay as a consequence of the Fall (Genesis 3). This verse serves as a stark reminder of the brevity of life and the inevitability of physical decline, urging us to consider what truly endures beyond our fleeting earthly days. The Preacher's wisdom here is not to despair in the face of aging, but to recognize it as a natural process that underscores the urgency of seeking eternal meaning and purpose in God. It calls us to steward our youth and strength wisely, dedicating our lives to the Creator before the days of physical limitation arrive, aligning our priorities with what truly matters in light of eternity.

* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")
* [Job 14:1-2](/job/14-1-2 "Job 14:1-2 - Man's Frailty")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life as a Vapor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 12:4 offers a profound meditation on the human condition, inviting us to confront the reality of our own mortality and the inevitable decline of the physical body. Rather than a morbid reflection, it serves as a powerful call to live with intentionality and wisdom. For those in their youth or prime, it is a sober reminder to "remember your Creator" ([Ecclesiastes 12:1](/ecclesiastes/12-1 "Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Your Creator")) while strength and faculties are abundant, investing our time, talents, and energy in pursuits that have eternal value. For those experiencing the "evil days" of old age, this verse can offer a sense of shared experience and a call to find peace in God's sovereign plan, recognizing that physical limitations do not diminish one's spiritual worth or capacity for communion with the Divine. Ultimately, it encourages us to shift our focus from the fleeting pleasures and accomplishments of this life to the enduring reality of God's kingdom, finding our true hope and security not in what our bodies can do, but in who our Creator is.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this allegorical description of aging challenge or affirm your perspective on life's brevity and the impermanence of physical strength?**
* **In what ways are you currently "remembering your Creator" in your youth or prime, as exhorted in [Ecclesiastes 12:1](/ecclesiastes/12-1 "Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Your Creator"), in light of the body's inevitable decline?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live a life that honors God, acknowledging the temporary nature of physical strength and earthly pleasures, and focusing on eternal priorities?**

### FAQ
**What is the main message of Ecclesiastes 12:4?**

Answer: The main message of Ecclesiastes 12:4 is a vivid, allegorical portrayal of the physical decline and sensory loss that accompany old age. It serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the impermanence of earthly life and its pleasures. Within the broader context of Ecclesiastes, this detailed description of decay underscores the Preacher's theme of `hebel` (vanity or futility) and the ultimate need to seek true meaning and purpose in God, rather than in transient worldly pursuits.

**How does this verse relate to the rest of Ecclesiastes?**

Answer: Ecclesiastes 12:4 is part of the concluding section of the book, specifically the extended allegory of aging found in [Ecclesiastes 12:1-7](/ecclesiastes/12-1-7 "Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 - The Allegory of Old Age"). This section serves as the culmination of the Preacher's exploration of life "under the sun," which often leads to the conclusion that all is `hebel` (vanity). The physical decay described in these verses acts as a powerful, undeniable argument for the urgency of the Preacher's final exhortation: to "fear God and keep his commandments" ([Ecclesiastes 12:13](/ecclesiastes/12-13 "Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Conclusion of the Whole Matter")). The transient nature of the body and its capacities highlights the importance of seeking eternal truth and meaning before the "evil days" of old age and death arrive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ecclesiastes 12:4 poignantly describes the inevitable decay of the human body, its message of physical decline and mortality finds its ultimate fulfillment and hope in Jesus Christ. The "bringing low" of the body in old age, as depicted by the Preacher, stands in stark contrast to the glorious transformation promised to believers through Christ's resurrection. Our earthly "tent" is indeed wasting away, as [2 Corinthians 5:1](/2_corinthians/5-1 "2 Corinthians 5:1 - Our Earthly Tent") describes, but Christ offers the promise of a "building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." The frailty of our present bodies points to the necessity of a Redeemer who has conquered death itself. Through His resurrection, Jesus has overcome the curse of decay and offers not just spiritual life, but the hope of a resurrected, glorified body, free from the limitations of aging and infirmity ([1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - The Resurrection Body")). Our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who "will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" ([Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship in Heaven")). Thus, the somber realism of Ecclesiastes 12:4 ultimately directs our gaze to the One who provides eternal life and perfect restoration beyond the grave.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 25:10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

2 Samuel 19:35

I [am] this day fourscore years old: [and] can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

Revelation 18:22

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;