Ecclesiastes 12:12 kjv
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 nkjv
And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 niv
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 esv
My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 nlt
But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
Ecclesiastes 12 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eccl. 1:18 | For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. | Directly echoes the warning |
| Prov. 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Links fear of God and knowledge |
| Prov. 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Command to trust God over own understanding |
| John 14:15 | If you love me, you will keep my commandments. | Connects love for Christ with obedience |
| 1 Cor. 8:1 | Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. | Contrasts knowledge with love/charity |
| Gal. 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un}<//>}ncircumcision counts for anything, but faith working through love. | Faith active in love is paramount |
| Rom. 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his paths! | Highlights God's incomprehensible wisdom |
| Matt. 19:17 | And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” | Jesus links life with keeping commandments |
| Ps. 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! | Reiterates fear of the Lord and wisdom |
| Deut. 13:4 | you shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him, and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. | Command to fear, obey, and hold fast to God |
| Job 28:28 | And he said to man, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” | Defines fear of the Lord as true wisdom |
| Phil. 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Peace from God supersedes worldly knowledge |
| Col. 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Christ is the source of true wisdom |
| Heb. 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | God's word is key to true discernment |
| Prov. 3:7 | Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. | Warning against self-reliance in wisdom |
| Eccl. 1:1-3 | The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. What profit has man from all his toil under the sun? | Sets the overall theme of vanity of earthly pursuits |
| Rom. 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Emphasis on transformed mind and discerning God's will |
| 1 Pet. 3:15 | but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | Honors Christ through preparedness and humility |
| Col. 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. | Warning against deceptive philosophies |
| Rev. 22:18 | I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life from this book. | Caution about manipulating God's word |
Ecclesiastes 12 verses
Ecclesiastes 12 12 Meaning
This verse warns the reader about the pursuit of extensive knowledge beyond what is written in scripture. It suggests that while knowledge acquisition can be endlessly driven, it can also lead to physical and spiritual exhaustion. The accumulation of books, symbolizing learning, does not inherently lead to greater godliness. The core emphasis is on the fear of God and keeping His commandments as the true, singular purpose and proper conclusion of all human endeavor and understanding.
Ecclesiastes 12 12 Context
This verse concludes the book of Ecclesiastes, which is a philosophical exploration of life "under the sun." The Preacher (Qoheleth) has examined various pursuits and wisdom in an attempt to find lasting meaning, often concluding they are ultimately futile or unsatisfying when divorced from a right relationship with God. The preceding verses (12:9-11) describe the Preacher's diligent work in teaching and presenting his findings, framing his conclusions as divinely inspired truth. Therefore, verse 12 functions as a summation and a final admonition to his audience, guiding them toward the ultimate wisdom that transcends worldly efforts. Historically, this book was addressed to those seeking meaning in a post-exilic or possibly during the monarchy period in Israel, where worldly philosophies and the temptation to rely solely on human intellect were present.
Ecclesiastes 12 12 Word analysis
And (Hebrew: וְ, ve): Conjunction connecting the preceding observation with this final admonition.
furthermore (Hebrew: יוֹתֵר, yoter): Means "more," "exceedingly," "very." Here it signifies an additive or a progression in the Preacher's argument regarding the prolific nature of making books.
moreover (Hebrew: עוֹד, od): Means "again," "still," "besides," "more." It reinforces the idea of an additional factor or consequence.
of (preposition): Indicates possession or association.
making (Hebrew: לַעֲשׂוֹת, la'asot): Infinitive of "to do," "to make," "to fashion." Refers to the act of producing or creating.
many (Hebrew: הַרְבֵּה, harbeh): Plurality, a great number.
books (Hebrew: סְפָרִים, s'farim): Plural of "book" (sepher). Refers to written scrolls or documents, representing accumulated knowledge, teachings, and literature.
is (verb 'to be'): Indicates existence or state.
endless (Hebrew: סוֹף, sof): Means "end," "finish," "limit," "completion." The phrase implies that the process of book-making or knowledge acquisition has no limit or endpoint.
weary (Hebrew: לָעָה, la'ah): To be weary, tired, fatigued. Denotes physical or mental exhaustion.
to (preposition): Indicates direction or extent.
the (definite article): Specificity.
flesh (Hebrew: בָּשָׂר, basar): Means "flesh," "body," "meat." Refers to the physical body and its limitations, suggesting that excessive study can tax the physical person.
Grouped analysis:
- "making many books is endless": This phrase encapsulates the idea that the creation of written works, representing the proliferation of human thought and learning, is a continuous and unending process. It suggests an almost overwhelming volume of accumulated information.
- "weary to the flesh": This connects the act of incessant book-making or deep study directly to physical fatigue. It implies that such a relentless pursuit of knowledge, without a proper grounding, can drain one's physical and possibly mental vitality.
Ecclesiastes 12 12 Bonus section
The idea of "many books" can also be understood metaphorically beyond literal bound volumes. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it represents all forms of human endeavor and accumulated wisdom outside of God's direct revelation. The Preacher's observation echoes the sentiment found in other wisdom literature (like Proverbs) that true wisdom begins with revering God. The weariness of the flesh signifies that human effort, without divine enablement and direction, is ultimately draining and insufficient to solve life's deepest questions or provide lasting satisfaction. The overarching theme throughout Ecclesiastes is that all earthly pursuits are vanity if they are not understood and contextualized within God’s sovereign plan and commandments. This verse starkly contrasts the seemingly endless quest for knowledge with the simple, yet profound, path of fearing God and obeying His word, which is presented as the complete duty and ultimate answer for humanity.
Ecclesiastes 12 12 Commentary
This verse serves as a concluding warning against the vanity of seeking ultimate truth and satisfaction solely through the accumulation of knowledge or the production of extensive writings. The Preacher acknowledges the human tendency to create and consume vast amounts of information (represented by "many books"). However, he cautions that this endeavor, pursued without a higher purpose, leads to exhaustion of the physical body and ultimately does not provide true fulfillment. The implication is that while diligent study and the preservation of wisdom are valuable, they must be oriented towards and anchored in the fear of God and obedience to His commands, which is presented as the ultimate end and source of life's true meaning and the answer to life's inquiries. It's a call to prioritize spiritual understanding over exhaustive, but potentially fruitless, intellectual pursuit.
- Practical application: Focus your learning and reading on that which strengthens your faith and directs you toward God, rather than getting lost in endless, unfruitful debates or overly academic pursuits that leave you spiritually dry. Seek to understand and apply God’s Word more than trying to master all human knowledge.