Bible Question:

Ecclesiastes 12:3 refers to the “keepers of the house” and Ecclesiastes 12:5 refers to the “almond tree.” What does this mean?

Bible Answer:

We are going to discover the meaning of Ecclesiastes 12:1-6.  What do these symbols of old age mean? But first, it is important to know that Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 is unique in the Bible. Ecclesiastes 12:1 tells us,

“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.” Ecclesiastes 12:2 (NASB)

The message is clear. Old age is not as enjoyable as the days of one’s youth. So, remember your Creator before you die. For when you die, your eternity will already have been determined by your decision about Jesus Christ.

What do the symbols of old age mean?

Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 — What do the symbols of old age mean?

 

So what are the signs that your body is approaching the end of life? Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 tell us. Here are Ecclesiastes descriptions of old age. We are told to remember God . . .

. . . before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim; 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. Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed.  Ecclesiastes 12:2-6 (NASB)

Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 is about something that will happen to all of us, unless Jesus Christ returns first. It is about our death. The passage is a reminder that after this short time here, there is an eternity to face after the heart stops beating and our brain has thought its last thought. This section of the Bible describes the physical problems of growing older. It is a warning that death is real.

Here are the meanings of the symbols in this section. The meaning of “keepers of the house” and “almond tree” are given.

 

Meaning of the Symbols In Ecclesiastes 12:1-6
Ecclesiastes 2SymbolMeaning
Verse 2Sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkenedFace is not as bright
Verse 2Clouds return after the rain.Person has one illness after another
Verse 3Watchmen of the house tremble.Legs are weak
Verse 3Mighty men stoopLeGS and back are bent
Verse 3Grinding ones stand idle because they are fewEating is slow because there are fewer teeth
Verse 3Windows grown dimEyesight is poorer
Verse 4Doors on the street are shutTrouble speaking
Verse 4Sound of the grinding mill is lowDifficulty hearing yourself eating
Verse 4Arise at the sound of the birdTrouble sleeping at night
Verse 5Afraid of a high place and of terrors on the roadFear of unknown and heights
Verse 5Almond tree blossomsGray hair comes with age
Verse 5Grasshopper drags himself alongPerson hobbles along
Verse 5Caperberry is ineffectiveSexual drive drops
Verse 6Silver cord is brokenSpinal cord is snapped or spirit departs
Verse 6Golden bowl is crushedCranial cavity is crushed
Verse 6Pitcher by the well is shatteredUrinary tract problems
Verse 6Wheel at the cistern is crushedHeart attack

 

Conclusion:

After this short, earthly life we live forever.

. . . then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NASB)

Jesus Christ has made it possible to live forever with God. God offers this to anyone who believes in Him. Find out more on the page “Searching for God.”

Suggested Links:

What does the Bible say about the Silver Cord in Ecclesiastes 12:6?
Book of Ecclesiastes
Are You Wasting Your Life?
Oh, How Utterly Empty Life Is!
What does the Bible say about the Silver Cord in Ecclesiastes 12:6?