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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 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, "I find no pleasure in them,"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/21_Ecc_12_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Your Creator" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, I find no pleasure in them," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></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/12-1.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/12-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/11-10.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 11:10">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 12:1 <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-2.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 12:2">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, &#8220I find no pleasure in them"—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, &#8220I have no delight in them";<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days happen and the years draw near in which you will say, “I have no delight in them”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment <i>and</i> delight in them”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say,&#8221 I have no delight in them"; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, "I don't enjoy life anymore." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, or ever the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;<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 you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years catch up with you. They will make you say, "I have found no pleasure in them."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So remember your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come when you will say, "I don't enjoy life." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So remember your Creator during your youth! Otherwise, troublesome days will come and years will creep up on you when you'll say, "I find no pleasure in them,"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So remember your Creator in the days of your youth--before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them"; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Remember also your Creator in days of your youth, "" While that the evil days do not come, "" Nor the years have arrived, that you say, "" “I have no pleasure in them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Remember also thy Creators in days of thy youth, While that the evil days come not, Nor the years have arrived, that thou sayest, 'I have no pleasure in them.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And remember him creating thee in the days of thy youth, till even when the days of evil shall not come, and the years draw near in which thou shalt say, Not to me delight in them;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the time of affliction arrives and the years draw near, about which you will say, “These do not please me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come And the years approach of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />REMEMBER now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw nigh when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Remember your Creator in the days of your youth until the evil days will come, and the years will approach when you say: "I have no pleasure in them"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Remember then thy Creator in the days of thy youth, Before the evil days come, And the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: 'I have no pleasure in them';<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the days of evil come, and the years overtake <i>thee</i> in which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=2120" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2142.htm" title="2142: ū·zə·ḵōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- Remember. A primitive root; properly, to mark, i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male.">Remember</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1254.htm" title="1254: bō·wr·’e·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- To create, to cut down, select, feed. A primitive root; to create; to cut down, select, feed.">your Creator</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/979.htm" title="979: bə·ḥū·rō·ṯe·ḵā (N-fpc:: 2ms) -- Youth. Or bchuwrowth; feminine plural of bachuwr; also bchuriym; youth.">of your youth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yə·mê (N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">of adversity</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yā·ḇō·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">come</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">and the years</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: wə·hig·gî·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">approach</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">of which</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">you will say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">“I find no</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2656.htm" title="2656: ḥê·p̄eṣ (N-ms) -- Delight, pleasure. From chaphets; pleasure; hence desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence a matter.">pleasure</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">in them,”</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain,…<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="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/71-5.htm">Psalm 71:5-6</a></span><br />For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth. / I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-27.htm">Lamentations 3:27</a></span><br />It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">2 Timothy 3:15</a></span><br />From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm">Proverbs 22:6</a></span><br />Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Isaiah 46:4</a></span><br />Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a></span><br />Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a></span><br />So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5-7</a></span><br />And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. / These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-3</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/148-12.htm">Psalm 148:12-13</a></span><br />young men and maidens, old and young together. / Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-14.htm">Matthew 19:14</a></span><br />But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Jeremiah 1:7</a></span><br />But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-16.htm">Luke 18:16-17</a></span><br />But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. / Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them;</p><p class="hdg">remember</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:10</a></b></br> Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth <i>are</i> vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/39-2.htm">Genesis 39:2,8,9,23</a></b></br> And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/1-28.htm">1 Samuel 1:28</a></b></br> Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.</p><p class="hdg">while</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:8</a></b></br> But if a man live many years, <i>and</i> rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh <i>is</i> vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/30-2.htm">Job 30:2</a></b></br> Yea, whereto <i>might</i> the strength of their hands <i>profit</i> me, in whom old age was perished?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></b></br> The days of our years <i>are</i> threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength <i>they be</i> fourscore years, yet <i>is</i> their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.</p><p class="hdg">when</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="/psalms/91-7.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/esther/6-14.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/job/36-3.htm">Creator</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-1.htm">Find</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-15.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-17.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/songs/2-12.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Creator</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/songs/1-4.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm">Find</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-31.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/songs/1-16.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-6.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-21.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-14.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/songs/5-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Youth</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Remember</b><br />The Hebrew word for "remember" is "זָכַר" (zakar), which implies more than just recalling to mind. It suggests an active, intentional focus and acknowledgment. In the biblical context, remembering often involves a call to action or obedience. This word encourages young people to actively engage with their faith and relationship with God, not merely as a mental exercise but as a guiding principle for life.<p><b>your Creator</b><br />The term "Creator" is derived from the Hebrew "בּוֹרֵא" (bore), which emphasizes God as the one who has fashioned and formed us. This acknowledgment of God as Creator is foundational in the biblical worldview, reminding us of our dependence on Him and His authority over our lives. It calls the youth to recognize their origin and purpose as divinely ordained, fostering a sense of humility and responsibility.<p><b>in the days of your youth</b><br />The phrase highlights the importance of establishing a relationship with God early in life. Youth is a time of vigor, potential, and opportunity. The exhortation is to use this period wisely, setting a foundation of faith that will sustain through life's challenges. Historically, this reflects the Jewish tradition of teaching children the ways of the Lord from a young age, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-7.htm">Deuteronomy 6:7</a>.<p><b>before the days of adversity come</b><br />This phrase serves as a warning and a reminder of life's transient nature. The "days of adversity" refer to times of trouble, aging, and the inevitable difficulties that come with life. The Hebrew word for adversity, "רָעָה" (ra'ah), can also mean evil or hardship. The verse encourages preparation and spiritual fortitude before these times arrive.<p><b>and the years approach of which you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'</b><br />This part of the verse speaks to the disillusionment and weariness that can accompany old age or difficult times. The Hebrew word for "pleasure," "חֵפֶץ" (chephets), implies delight or desire. The passage suggests that without a foundation in God, the later years of life may lack joy and fulfillment. It underscores the importance of a lifelong relationship with God, which can provide meaning and satisfaction even in challenging times.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XII.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Creator</span>.--This occurs as a Divine name in <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm" title="That brings the princes to nothing; he makes the judges of the earth as vanity.">Isaiah 40:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/44-15.htm" title="Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yes, he kindles it, and bakes bread; yes, he makes a god, and worships it; he makes it a graven image, and falls down thereto.">Isaiah 44:15</a>. and elsewhere. Here it is in the plural, like the Divine name Elohim. (See also Note on <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-8.htm" title="Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all is vanity.">Ecclesiastes 12:8</a>.) We have "thy Maker" in the plural in <a href="/job/35-10.htm" title="But none said, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night;">Job 35:10</a>; <a href="/psalms/149-2.htm" title="Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.">Psalm 149:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm" title="For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.">Isaiah 54:5</a>; and "Holy One" in <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm" title="The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.">Proverbs 9:10</a>; <a href="/proverbs/30-3.htm" title="I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.">Proverbs 30:3</a>; <a href="/hosea/11-12.htm" title="Ephraim compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the saints.">Hosea 11:12</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - The division into chapters is unfortunate here, as this verse is closely connected with ver. 10 of the preceding chapter. <span class="cmt_word">Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.</span> Set God always before thine eyes from thy earliest days; think who made thee, and what thou wast made for, not for self-pleasing only, not to gratify thy passions which now are strong; but that thou mightest use thy powers and energy in accordance with the laws of thy being as a creature of God's hands, responsible to him for the use of the faculties and capacities with which he has endowed thee. The word for "Creator" is the participle of the Verb <span class="accented">barn</span>, which is that used in <a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a>, etc., describing God's work. It is plural in form, like <span class="accented">Elohim</span>, the plural being that of majesty or excellence (comp. <a href="/job/35-10.htm">Job 35:10</a>: <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm">Isaiah 54:5</a>). It is used here as an appellation of God, because the young have to bethink themselves that all they are and all they have come from God. Such plurals are supposed by some to be divinely intended to adumbrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity - a dark saying containing a mystery which future revelation shoed explain. "He that made thee" is a common phrase in Ecclesiasticus (<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:6</a>; 7:30; 39:5). It is to be noted that Gratz reads "cistern" or a fountain" in place of "Creator," and explains this term to mean "wife, as in <a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">Proverbs 5:15-18</a>. But the alteration has nothing to support it, and is most unnecessary, though Cheyne was inclined to adopt it ('Job and Solomon,' <span class="accented">in loc</span>.). <span class="cmt_word">While the evil days come not</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> before they come. "Days of evil; <span class="greek">αἱ ἡμέραι τῆς</span> <span class="greek">κακίας</span> (<span class="greek">Σεπτυγαιντ</span>) (<a href="/matthew/6-4.htm">Matthew 6:4</a>); <span class="accented">tempus afflictionis</span> (Vulgate). The phrase refers to the grievances and inconveniences of old age, which are further and graphically described in the following verses, though whether the expressions therein used regard literal anatomical facts, or are allegorical representations of the gradual decay of the faculties, has been greatly disputed. Probably both opinions contain a partial truth, as will be noted in our Exposition. Ginsburg considers that the allusion is not to the ills that in the course of time all flesh is heir to, but rather to that premature decay and suffering occasioned by the unrestrained gratification of sensual passions, such as Cicero intimates ('De Senect.,' 9:29), "Libidinosa et intemperans adulescentia effetum corpus tradit senectuti." There is nothing specially in the text to support this view, and it is most reasonable to see here generally a figurative description of decay, whatever may be the cause. <span class="cmt_word">I have no pleasure in them.</span> Ere the time comes when a man shall say, "I have no pleasure in life." Thus the aged Barzillai asks," 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?" (<a href="/2_samuel/19-35.htm">2 Samuel 19:35</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/12-1.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">Remember</span><br /><span class="heb">וּזְכֹר֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·zə·ḵōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2142.htm">Strong's 2142: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your Creator</span><br /><span class="heb">בּ֣וֹרְאֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bō·wr·’e·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1254.htm">Strong's 1254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To create, to cut down, select, feed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the days</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּימֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bî·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your youth,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּחוּרֹתֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḥū·rō·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_979.htm">Strong's 979: </a> </span><span class="str2">Youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the days</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of adversity</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽרָעָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">come,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבֹ֙אוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the years</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">approach</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִגִּ֣יעוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hig·gî·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of which</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will say,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאמַ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(tō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I find no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽין־</span> <span class="translit">(’ên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pleasure in them,”</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵֽפֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·p̄eṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2656.htm">Strong's 2656: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasure, desire, a valuable thing, a matter</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 11:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 11:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 12:2" /></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>