Ecclesiastes 12 4

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;

Ecclesiastes 12:4 nkjv

When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low.

Ecclesiastes 12:4 niv

when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;

Ecclesiastes 12:4 esv

and the doors on the street are shut ? when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low ?

Ecclesiastes 12:4 nlt

Remember him before the door to life's opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

Ecclesiastes 12 verses

Ecclesiastes 12 4 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 12:4 continues the poignant description of the physical decay and limitations that come with old age. Using vivid poetic metaphors, it illustrates various aspects of this decline: the loss of engagement with the outside world, the weakening of the body's ability to process food, the fragility of sleep, and the diminishing capacity for joy and sensory perception. It speaks to the universal experience of physical frailty that culminates in life's end, emphasizing the fleeting nature of youthful vitality.

Ecclesiastes 12 4 Context

Ecclesiastes 12:4 is part of the final chapter of the book, where Qoheleth, the Preacher, culminates his observations on life under the sun. This verse specifically contributes to a sustained poetic metaphor describing the inevitable physical and mental decline of old age. Chapter 12 begins with the urgent exhortation to "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecc 12:1) before the "evil days come" (Ecc 12:1). Verses 2-7 metaphorically illustrate the decay of the human body, portraying it as a deteriorating house, each part signifying a specific function or aspect of aging. This section serves as a profound argument for spiritual contemplation and seeking God early in life, before the full onset of irreversible decline renders such pursuits difficult. The imagery used in this verse resonates deeply with ancient agricultural societies, where sounds and activities were central to daily life. It functions as a warning and a sobering reminder of human mortality, reinforcing the overall theme of "vanity of vanities."

Ecclesiastes 12 4 Word analysis

• And the doors: (וְנִסְגְּרוּ הַדְּלָתַיִם - wə·nis·gĕ·rū had·də·lā·ṯa·yim).
  • doors (דְּלָתַיִם - delaṯayim): Literally "doors" or "gates." This refers metaphorically to sensory organs such as the eyes and ears, which admit information and sensation from the outside world. It can also refer to the orifices of the body that lose their proper function or capacity.
  • shall be shut (נִסְגְּרוּ - nisgĕrû): "Are closed" or "are confined." This signifies a progressive loss of sensory perception, withdrawal from public life, or difficulty in going out. It implies restriction and diminished interaction with the world.
  • in the streets: Refers to the loss of physical freedom and social interaction. An elderly person may no longer go out easily to engage in daily community life. It emphasizes isolation and confinement, a world narrowing down to indoors.
• when the sound of the grinding is low: (בַּשּׁוּק בִּשְׁפֹּל קוֹל הַטַּחֲנָה - baš·šûq biš·pōl qōl haṭ·ṭaḥă·nâ).
  • sound (קוֹל - qôl): Literally "voice" or "sound."
  • grinding (הַטַּחֲנָה - haṭṭaḥăna): Refers to the sound of grinding grain. In the context of the human body, this is a vivid metaphor for the act of chewing or mastication, specifically referencing the teeth (already mentioned as "grinders" in Ecc 12:3).
  • is low (בִּשְׁפֹּל - bišpōl): "Is brought low," "is diminished," or "becomes weak." This describes the reduction or loss of chewing ability due to tooth loss, decay, or weak jaw muscles. Food is no longer processed effectively, a direct impact on nutrition and enjoyment of food.
• and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird: (וְיָקוּם לְקוֹל הַצִּפֹּור - wə·yā·qûm lə·qōl haṣ·ṣip·pôr).
  • rise up (וְיָקוּם - wəyaqûm): To stand up, to arise. Here it implies waking or being roused.
  • voice (לְקוֹל - ləqôl): "At the sound of."
  • of the bird (הַצִּפֹּור - haṣṣippôr): Even a tiny bird's chirp. This illustrates the fragility of sleep in old age. Whereas youth can sleep deeply through most noises, the aged often have disturbed, light sleep, easily roused by even the smallest sound. This also points to a reversal of natural rhythms, rising prematurely.
• and all the daughters of music shall be brought low: (וְתִשְׁפַּלְנָה כָּל בְּנוֹת הַשִּׁיר - wə·ṯiš·pal·nâ kāl bə·nōṯ haš·šîr).
  • daughters of music (בְּנוֹת הַשִּׁיר - bənoṯ haššîr): A poetic Hebrew idiom for sounds associated with music, singing, or joy. This can refer to the organs of sound and hearing (voice and ears), or simply the appreciation and experience of joy and festivity associated with music.
  • shall be brought low (וְתִשְׁפַּלְנָה - wəṯišpalna): To be diminished, to fail, to decline. This means a decline in hearing ability, loss of singing voice, or simply a fading interest or capacity for joy in life's former pleasures. It encompasses the reduction of sensory pleasure and emotional vibrancy.

Words-group Analysis

• And the doors shall be shut in the streets: This phrase collectively describes sensory deprivation and social isolation. The "doors" are avenues of interaction (senses, movement) that "shut," indicating a person's diminishing connection to the outside world, resulting in a confined existence within their "house" (body or home). It illustrates reduced mobility and increasing seclusion.
• when the sound of the grinding is low: This group highlights the weakening of the digestive system and overall vitality. The "grinding" (chewing) becomes "low," signaling difficulty with food intake, poor dental health, and a general decline in physical strength necessary for such basic functions.
• and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird: This imagery illustrates disturbed sleep patterns typical of old age. Light sleepers are easily awakened by small sounds, losing the deep, restorative sleep common in youth. This reflects a state of constant fragility and lack of profound rest.
• and all the daughters of music shall be brought low: This final phrase signifies the decline of aesthetic enjoyment and joy, alongside the physical weakening of vocal cords and hearing. It implies a diminished capacity to appreciate or produce harmonious sounds, signifying a fading of life's vibrant pleasures and internal vitality.

Ecclesiastes 12 4 Bonus section

The passage's vivid imagery is consistent with ancient Near Eastern poetry, employing anthropomorphic and architectural metaphors to describe the human body's deterioration. The collective impact is not merely a clinical list of symptoms but a deep existential reflection on the temporary nature of human strength and pleasure. This sobering realism challenges any worldview that places ultimate value in temporal achievements, physical prowess, or sensory gratification. It subtly points to a deeper reality beyond physical existence, urging the reader (in harmony with Ecc 12:1) to remember the Creator while strength allows, before the house completely crumbles. The descriptions of physical decline in this verse serve as a contrast to God's enduring nature, further emphasizing humanity's fleeting existence compared to the eternal.

Ecclesiastes 12 4 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 12:4 employs deeply evocative, melancholic metaphors to paint a stark picture of human frailty in old age. The "doors" shutting represent not only the closing off of senses like sight and hearing but also the increasing confinement and withdrawal from public life. The failing "grinding" directly speaks to the loss of teeth and digestive power, signifying a fundamental breakdown in the body's ability to sustain itself. The inability to enjoy deep sleep, evidenced by waking "at the voice of the bird," highlights physical discomfort and restlessness. Lastly, the "daughters of music" being "brought low" sorrowfully depicts the decline of the voice, hearing, and the fading joy or appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. The cumulative effect of these images is to underscore the profound and inevitable physical and sensory decline that robs one of independence, social connection, physical comfort, and emotional vibrancy, pushing humanity towards the ultimate end. It is a powerful reminder that life's vigor is temporary and calls for wisdom in recognizing our finite nature.