Ecclesiastes 12:13 kjv
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 nkjv
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 niv
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 esv
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 nlt
That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.
Ecclesiastes 12 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 17:1 | "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." | Gen. 17:1 (Command to walk before God) |
| Exodus 20:6 | "...showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." | Ex. 20:6 (Blessing for obedience) |
| Deut. 6:5 | "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." | Deut. 6:5 (Love God completely) |
| Ps. 111:10 | "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." | Ps. 111:10 (Fear of Lord = Wisdom) |
| Ps. 119:139 | "My zeal wears me out, because my foes forget your words." | Ps. 119:139 (Zest for God's Word) |
| Prov. 3:1-2 | "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity." | Prov. 3:1-2 (Benefit of God's laws) |
| Isa. 8:13 | "The LORD Almighty is the one you are to consecrate; he is the one you are to fear. He is the one you are to hold in awe." | Isa. 8:13 (Consecrate and fear God) |
| Jer. 32:39 | "I will give themsingleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them." | Jer. 32:39 (Single heart to fear God) |
| John 14:15 | "If you love me, keep my commands." | John 14:15 (Love leads to obedience) |
| John 15:10 | "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love." | John 15:10 (Obedience in God's love) |
| Acts 4:12 | "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." | Acts 4:12 (Jesus: the only way) |
| Rom. 1:5 | "through whom we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake," | Rom. 1:5 (Obedience from faith) |
| Rom. 6:16 | "Don’t you know that you belong to whom you obey? Whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" | Rom. 6:16 (Obey righteousness) |
| Gal. 5:6 | "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that matters is faith expressed through love." | Gal. 5:6 (Faith active in love) |
| 1 John 2:3-4 | "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I’ve come to know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person." | 1 John 2:3-4 (Keeping commands = knowing God) |
| 1 John 5:3 | "This is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome," | 1 John 5:3 (Love God = keep commands) |
| Heb. 12:28-29 | "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" | Heb. 12:28-29 (Worship with reverence) |
| Rev. 22:14 | "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." | Rev. 22:14 (Blessed: those who do commands) |
Ecclesiastes 12 verses
Ecclesiastes 12 13 Meaning
The ultimate conclusion of all human existence and endeavors is to fear God and keep His commandments. This is the entirety of man's duty and purpose in life, encompassing obedience, reverence, and faithfulness.
Ecclesiastes 12 13 Context
Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to Solomon, explores the vanity of life "under the sun." The book often grapples with existential questions, the inevitability of death, and the limitations of human wisdom. This final verse serves as the author's concluding synthesis, offering a timeless directive amidst the apparent futility described throughout. The preceding verses depict the frailties of old age and the certainty of judgment, framing this final exhortation as the ultimate remedy and true purpose. The historical context is ancient Israel, where reverence for God and adherence to the Law were central to their covenant relationship.
Ecclesiastes 12 13 Word analysis
El Kól (Hebrew: כֹּל): "all," "every," "entire." This word emphasizes the completeness and entirety of the statement that follows.
Mishpát (Hebrew: מִשְׁפַּט): "judgment," "justice," "right." Here, it refers to divine judgment. It signifies accountability before God.
Eʹlem (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים): "God." Elohim is a plural form, often used for God to indicate majesty or plurality within the Godhead.
El Mah·leh (Hebrew: עֲשׂוֹה): "to do," "to make," "to perform." This implies active obedience, not just passive acknowledgment.
Mi·qwo (Hebrew: מִצְוָה): "commandment," "order." These are God's statutes and instructions for living.
Mitzvoth-av (Hebrew: מִצְוֹתָיו): "His commandments." Specifically referring to the commandments of God.
Fear God and keep His commandments: This phrase encapsulates the dual aspects of worship and obedience. "Fear" here is not terror but a profound reverence, awe, and respect that leads to obedience. "Keep His commandments" is the practical outworking of that reverence in daily life.
For this is the whole duty of man (Hebrew: כִּי זֹאת כָּל הָאָדָם - ki zo kah-law hah-dahm): "for this is all of man." This phrase signifies that this twofold action (fearing God and keeping His commandments) represents the complete purpose and obligation of human existence.
Ecclesiastes 12 13 Bonus section
This verse is the culmination of Koheleth's (the Preacher's) extensive exploration of life's activities—all of which are found to be "vanity" when pursued apart from God. It shifts the focus from the futility of earthly effort to the eternal significance of relationship with the Creator. The message echoes throughout Scripture, from the Old Covenant's emphasis on obedience to the Law, to the New Testament's call to faith and love which manifests in obedience. This is a principle of enduring relevance, calling believers to live in a way that honors God in every aspect of their lives, recognizing that this is the enduring purpose of their existence, designed to bring lasting peace and fulfillment.
Ecclesiastes 12 13 Commentary
The verse offers the definitive resolution to life's overarching questions addressed in Ecclesiastes. It asserts that despite the transient nature of earthly pursuits and the inevitability of death and judgment, the ultimate, unyielding truth is devotion to God through reverence and obedience. This is presented not as one option, but as the entirety of human responsibility. It implies that true fulfillment and purpose are found solely in aligning oneself with divine will, transcending the ephemeral and the material. This comprehensive outlook suggests that every aspect of human endeavor finds its ultimate meaning and correct orientation when centered on God and His precepts.