Ecclesiastes 12:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Failing ears, light sleep, and a quieted voice mark the further decline of age in the picture of the closing house.
What Does Ecclesiastes 12:4 Mean?
The image of the house continues. The doors shut to the street and the low sound of grinding suggest hearing that has dimmed and a mouth grown quiet; rising at the voice of a bird hints at the light, easily broken sleep of the aged, and the fading daughters of music at a voice and ear that can no longer carry a song.
Here is the slow hush that often comes with great age, when the world grows distant and faint. The Preacher lingers over it not to sadden us but to keep us awake while the music still plays. Every ordinary day of hearing and speaking and rest is a mercy, and the God who gives such days is worthy to be remembered before they grow few.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 12:4
What does Ecclesiastes 12:4 mean?
Failing ears, light sleep, and a quieted voice mark the further decline of age in the picture of the closing house.