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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 12:4 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,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/21_Ecc_12_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 12:4 - Remember Your Creator" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 12:3">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 12:4 <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-5.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 12:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />when the doors (lips) are shut in the streets and the sound of the grinding [of the teeth] is low, and one rises at the sound of a bird <i>and</i> the crowing of a rooster, and all the daughters of music (voice, ears) sing softly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the doors at the street are shut while the sound of the mill fades; when one rises at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song grow faint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the doors at the street are shut while the sound of the mill fades; when one rises at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song grow faint. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The noisy grinding of grain and the voices of singers will be shut out by your deaf ears, but even the song of a bird will keep you awake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the door 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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Remember your Creator when the doors to the street are closed, the sound of the mill is muffled, you are startled at the sound of a bird, [and] those who sing songs become quiet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Your ears will be deaf to the noise of the street. You will barely be able to hear the mill as it grinds or music as it plays, but even the song of a bird will wake you from sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The doors to the street will be shut when the sound of grinding decreases, when one wakes up at the song of a bird, and all of the singing women are silenced.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding shall be low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And doors have been shut in the street. When the noise of the grinding is low, "" And [one] rises at the voice of the bird, "" And all daughters of song are bowed down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And doors have been shut in the street. When the noise of the grinding is low, And one riseth at the voice of the bird, And all daughters of song are bowed down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the doors were shut in the street, in the lowness of the voice of the grinding, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of the song shall bow down;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder's voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they will close the doors to the street, when the voice of he who grinds the grain will be humbled, and they will be disturbed at the sound of a flying thing, and all the daughters of song shall become deaf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one rises at the call of a bird, and all the daughters of song are quiet; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />when the doors on the street are shut, and 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;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the ears shall be so dulled that the sound of women grinding at the mill is low, and a man shall rise up at the song of birds; and the sound of women singing shall be low;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the gates of the streets will be shut by feebleness of the sound of the grinders, and he will rise to the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of song will be brought low<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the doors shall be shut in the street, When the sound of the grinding is low; And one shall start up at the voice of a bird, And all the daughters of music shall be brought low;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and they shall shut the doors in the market-place, because of the weakness of the voice of her that grinds <i>at the mill</i>; and he shall rise up at the voice of the sparrow, and all the daughters of song shall be brought low;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=2153" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Remember Your Creator</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>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, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1817.htm" title="1817: ḏə·lā·ṯa·yim (N-fd) -- A door. From dalah; something swinging, i.e. The valve of a door.">when the doors</a> <a href="/hebrew/7784.htm" title="7784: baš·šūq (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A street. From shuwq; a street.">to the street</a> <a href="/hebrew/5462.htm" title="5462: wə·sug·gə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To shut, close. A primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender.">are shut</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">and the sound</a> <a href="/hebrew/2913.htm" title="2913: haṭ·ṭa·ḥă·nāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A mill. From tachan; a hand mill; hence chewing.">of the mill</a> <a href="/hebrew/8213.htm" title="8213: biš·p̄al (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To be or become low, to be abased. A primitive root; to depress or sink.">fades away,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: wə·yā·qūm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">when one rises</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: lə·qō·wl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">at the sound</a> <a href="/hebrew/6833.htm" title="6833: haṣ·ṣip·pō·wr (Art:: N-cs) -- A bird. Or tsippor; from tsaphar; a little bird.">of a bird</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: bə·nō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">the daughters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7892.htm" title="7892: haš·šîr (Art:: N-ms) -- A song, singing. Or feminine shiyrah; from shiyr; a song; abstractly, singing.">of song</a> <a href="/hebrew/7817.htm" title="7817: wə·yiš·ša·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To bow, be bowed down, crouch. A primitive root; to sink or depress.">grow faint,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></span><br />For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-3.htm">Isaiah 32:3-4</a></span><br />Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. / The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will speak clearly and fluently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Jeremiah 6:10</a></span><br />To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/38-13.htm">Psalm 38:13-14</a></span><br />But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth. / I am like a man who cannot hear, whose mouth offers no reply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Psalm 88:8-9</a></span><br />You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape. / My eyes grow dim with grief. I call to You daily, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/29-10.htm">Job 29:10</a></span><br />The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-10.htm">Job 30:10</a></span><br />They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a></span><br />Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12</a></span><br />Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-24.htm">Mark 4:24</a></span><br />He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-18.htm">Luke 8:18</a></span><br />Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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 music shall be brought low;</p><p class="hdg">all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/19-35.htm">2 Samuel 19:35</a></b></br> I <i>am</i> this day fourscore years old: <i>and</i> 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?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/31-28.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-19.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Closed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-19.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/psalms/90-6.htm">Fades</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Grinding</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Low</a> <a href="/judges/16-21.htm">Mill</a> <a href="/psalms/150-3.htm">Music</a> <a href="/luke/15-25.htm">Musick</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-6.htm">Noise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-4.htm">Riseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-6.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm">Soft</a> <a href="/psalms/42-4.htm">Softly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Song</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-20.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-8.htm">Start</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Street</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/2-10.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-14.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-6.htm">Closed</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/songs/1-5.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/songs/7-13.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-30.htm">Fades</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Grinding</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm">Low</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Mill</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-11.htm">Music</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-63.htm">Musick</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Noise</a> <a href="/songs/2-10.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-19.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-8.htm">Riseth</a> <a href="/songs/4-12.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Soft</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-6.htm">Softly</a> <a href="/songs/1-1.htm">Song</a> <a href="/songs/1-1.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/songs/5-2.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-7.htm">Start</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-2.htm">Street</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-5.htm">Streets</a> <a href="/songs/2-8.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">the Creator is to be remembered in due time</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-8.htm">The preacher's care to edify</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm">the fear of God is the chief antidote for vanity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>when the doors to the street are shut</b><br>This phrase symbolizes the decline of activity and engagement with the outside world, often interpreted as a metaphor for aging. In ancient Near Eastern culture, city gates and doors were central to community life, representing access and interaction. As people age, their ability to participate in public life diminishes, akin to doors being closed. This imagery can also reflect the spiritual state of being closed off from worldly distractions, focusing instead on eternal matters.<p><b>and the sound of the mill fades away</b><br>The mill was a common feature in ancient households, essential for grinding grain into flour. The fading sound of the mill signifies the cessation of daily labor and productivity, paralleling the reduced physical capabilities in old age. This imagery can also be seen as a metaphor for the diminishing vigor and energy of life. Biblically, it echoes the idea of life's temporality, as seen in <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>, which describes life as a mist that appears briefly and then vanishes.<p><b>when one rises at the sound of a bird</b><br>This phrase captures the light sleep and restlessness often associated with aging. In biblical times, the early morning was marked by the chirping of birds, a natural alarm clock. The sensitivity to such sounds reflects the frailty and heightened awareness that comes with age. Spiritually, it can suggest a readiness to respond to God's call, reminiscent of the watchfulness encouraged in <a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">Matthew 24:42</a>, where believers are urged to stay awake and be prepared for the Lord's coming.<p><b>and all the daughters of song grow faint</b><br>"Daughters of song" likely refers to the voice and hearing, both of which tend to weaken with age. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, music and singing were integral to worship and celebration, as seen in the Psalms. The fading of these "daughters" symbolizes the loss of joy and vibrancy in life. This decline can also be viewed as a call to focus on the eternal song of worship in heaven, as depicted in <a href="/revelation/5-9.htm">Revelation 5:9-10</a>, where the redeemed sing a new song before the Lamb.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>Traditionally identified as Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, who is considered the author of Ecclesiastes. He reflects on the meaning of life and the inevitability of aging and death.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_house.htm">The House</a></b><br>Symbolic of the human body, often used in biblical literature to represent the physical dwelling of the soul.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_streets.htm">The Streets</a></b><br>Represents the outside world and the activities of life that become less accessible or relevant as one ages.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_mill.htm">The Mill</a></b><br>A symbol of daily work and routine, which diminishes in importance or ability as one grows older.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_daughters_of_song.htm">The Daughters of Song</a></b><br>Likely a metaphor for the voice and hearing, which weaken with age.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_inevitability_of_aging.htm">The Inevitability of Aging</a></b><br>Recognize that aging is a natural part of life. As the physical body declines, it is important to focus on spiritual growth and maturity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_diminishing_of_earthly_activities.htm">The Diminishing of Earthly Activities</a></b><br>As we age, our priorities should shift from earthly pursuits to eternal values. This is a call to invest in what truly matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening_to_god's_voice.htm">The Importance of Listening to God's Voice</a></b><br>As physical hearing may fade, strive to sharpen your spiritual hearing. Be attentive to God's voice through His Word and Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_community_and_fellowship.htm">The Value of Community and Fellowship</a></b><br>The "daughters of song" growing faint can remind us of the importance of maintaining fellowship and encouraging one another, especially as we age.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_physical_decline.htm">Hope Beyond Physical Decline</a></b><br>While the body may weaken, our hope is in the Lord who renews our spirit and promises eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_god_stop_jephthah's_vow.htm">Why did God allow Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11 without stopping him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_near-death_experiences.htm">What does the Bible say about near-death experiences?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_accept_sacrifices.htm">If God is all-good, why does He accept human sacrifices in some cases (Judges 11:30-39)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_mother_church.htm">What defines a mother church?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) The first two clauses continue the description of the afflicted house; all communication with the outer world broken off: the double doors towards the street shut, the cheerful noise of grinding not heard without (<a href="/context/jeremiah/25-10.htm" title="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.">Jeremiah 25:10-11</a>; <a href="/revelation/18-22.htm" title="And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatever craft he be, shall be found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you;">Revelation 18:22</a>). If a more minute explanation of the double doors is to be given, we may understand the verse as speaking of the closing of the lips on the falling away of the teeth. (See <a href="/job/41-14.htm" title="Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.">Job 41:14</a>; <a href="/psalms/141-3.htm" title="Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.">Psalm 141:3</a>; <a href="/micah/5-7.htm" title="And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the middle of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers on the grass, that tarries not for man, nor waits for the sons of men.">Micah 5:7</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">He shall rise up.</span>--No satisfactory explanation of this clause has been given. The following are three of the best interpretations that have been proposed: (1) The old man, whose state has been figuratively described before, is said to sleep so badly that the chirping of a bird will awake him. (2) His voice becomes feeble like the chirping of a bird (<a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm" title="And you shall be brought down, and shall speak out of the ground, and your speech shall be low out of the dust, and your voice shall be, as of one that has a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and your speech shall whisper out of the dust.">Isaiah 29:4</a>). (3) The bird of ill omen raises its voice (<a href="/context/psalms/102-6.htm" title="I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.">Psalm 102:6-7</a>; <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm" title="And flocks shall lie down in the middle of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds; for he shall uncover the cedar work.">Zephaniah 2:14</a>). Each of these interpretations is open to serious objections, which I do not state at length, having myself nothing better to propose. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The doors shall be shut in the streets</span>. Hitherto the symbolism has been comparatively easy to interpret. With this verse inextricable difficulties seem to arise. Of course, in one view it is natural that in the bitter weather, or on the appearance of a tempest, the doors towards the street should be closed, and none should leave the house. But what are meant by the doors in the metaphorical house, the body of the aged man? Jewish expositors understood them to be the pores, or excretive apertures of the body, which lose their activity in old age - which seems an unseemly allusion. Plumptre will have them to be the organs which carry on the processes of sensation and nutrition from the beginning to the end; but it seems a forced metaphor to call these "double-doors." More natural is it to see in the word, with its dual form, the mouth closed by the two lips. So a psalmist speaks of the mouth, the door of the lips (<a href="/psalms/141-3.htm">Psalm 141:3</a>; comp. <a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Micah 7:5</a>). As it is only the external door of a house that could be employed in this metaphor, the addition, "in [or, 'towards'] the streets," is accounted for. <span class="cmt_word">When the sound of the grinding is low</span>. The sound of the grinding or the mill is weak and low when the teeth have ceased to masticate, and, instead of the crunching and grinding of food, nothing is heard but a munching and sucking. The falling in of the mouth over the toothless gums is represented as the closing of doors. To take the words in their literal sense is to make the author repeat himself, reiterating what he is supposed to have said before in speaking of the grinding-women - all labor is lessened or stopped. The sound of grinding betokened cheerfulness and prosperity; its cessation would be an ominous sign (see <a href="/jeremiah/25-10.htm">Jeremiah 25:10</a>; <a href="/revelation/18-22.htm">Revelation 18:22</a>). Another interpretation considers this clause to express the imperfect vocal utterance of the old man; but it is hardly likely that the author would call speech "the voice of the grinding," or of the mill, as a metaphor for "mouth." <span class="cmt_word">And he shall rise up at the voice of the bird</span>. This is a very difficult sentence, and has been very variously explained. It is usually taken to mean that the old man sleeps lightly and awakes (for "rises up" may mean no more than that) at the chirrup of a bird. The objection to this interpretation is that it destroys the figurative character of the description, introducing suddenly the personal subject. Of course, it has another signification in the picture of the terror-stricken household; and many interpreters who thus explain the allegory translate the clause differently. Thus Ginsburg renders, "The swallow rises to shriek," referring to the habits of that bird in stormy weather. But there are grammatical objections to this translation, as there are against another suggestion, "The bird (of ill omen) raises its voice." We need not do more than refer to the mystical elucidation which detects here a reference to the resurrection, the voice of the bird being the archangel's trumpet which calls the dead from their graves. Retaining the allegory, we must translate the clause, "He [or, 'it,' <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the voice] rises to the bird's voice;" the old man's voice becomes a "childish treble," like the piping of a little bird. The relaxation of the muscles of the larynx and other vocal organs occasions a great difference in the pitch or power of tone (compare what Hezekiah says, <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Isaiah 38:14</a>, "Like a crane or a swallow so did I chatter," though there it is the low murmur of sorrow and complaint that is meant). <span class="cmt_word">And all the daughters of music shall be brought low.</span> "The daughters of song" are the organs of speech, which ere now humbled and fail, so that the man cannot sing a note. Some think that the ears are meant, as St. Jerome writes, Et <span class="accented">obsurdescent omnes filiae carminis</span>, which may have some such notion. Others arrive at a similar signification from manipulation of the verb, thus eliciting the sense - The sounds of singing-women or song-birds are dulled and lowered, are only heard as a faint, unmeaning murmur. This exposition rather contradicts what had preceded, viz. that the old man is awoke by the chirrup of a sparrow; for his ears must be very sensitive to be thus easily affected; unless, indeed, the "voice of the bird" is merely a note of time, equivalent to early cock-crowing. We must not omit Wright's explanation, though it does not commend itself to our mind. He makes a new stanza begin here: "When one rises at the voice of the bird," and sees here a description of the approach of spring, as if the poet said, "When the young and lusty are enjoying the return of genial weather, and the concert of birds with which no musician can compete, the aged, sick in their chambers, are beset with fears and are sinking fast." We fail altogether to read this meaning in our text, wherein we recognize only a symbolical representation of the old man's vocal powers. It is obvious to cite Juvenal's minute and painful description of old age in 'Sat.,' 10:200, etc., and Shakespeare's lines in 'As You Like It' (act 2. sc. 7), where the reference to the voice is very striking- <p><span class="accented">"His big, manly voice,<br />Turning again toward childish treble, pipes<br />And whistles in his sound."</span> Cox paraphrases, "The song-birds drop silently into their nests," alarmed at the tempest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">when the doors</span><br /><span class="heb">דְלָתַ֙יִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḏə·lā·ṯa·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1817.htm">Strong's 1817: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something swinging, the valve of a, door</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the street</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשּׁ֔וּק</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šūq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7784.htm">Strong's 7784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A street</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are shut</span><br /><span class="heb">וְסֻגְּר֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·sug·gə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5462.htm">Strong's 5462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shut up, to surrender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the sound</span><br /><span class="heb">ק֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the mill</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽטַּחֲנָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(haṭ·ṭa·ḥă·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2913.htm">Strong's 2913: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand mill, chewing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fades away,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּשְׁפַ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(biš·p̄al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8217.htm">Strong's 8217: </a> </span><span class="str2">Depressed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when one rises</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָקוּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·qūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the sound</span><br /><span class="heb">לְק֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a bird,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצִּפּ֔וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣip·pō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6833.htm">Strong's 6833: </a> </span><span class="str2">A little bird</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the daughters</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of song</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשִּֽׁיר׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7892.htm">Strong's 7892: </a> </span><span class="str2">A song, singing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grow faint,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִשַּׁ֖חוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yiš·ša·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7817.htm">Strong's 7817: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bow, be bowed down, crouch</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 12:4 And the doors shall be shut (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 12:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 12:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 12:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 12:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>