Ecclesiastes 12:5 Study Bible: Also, they are afraid of heights, and of terrors in the way; and the almond tree blossoms, and the grasshopper is burdened, and the caper bush fails; because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets:

Bible > Ecclesiastes > Chapter 12 > Verse 5

◄ Ecclesiastes 12:5 ►

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.

Study Bible

when men fear the heights
This phrase captures the frailty and vulnerability that come with old age. The Hebrew word for "fear" (יָרֵא, yare) often denotes reverence or awe, but here it suggests a trepidation that arises from physical decline. The "heights" symbolize challenges or obstacles that were once easily overcome but now seem daunting. This reflects a broader biblical theme of human weakness and the need for reliance on God, as seen in passages like Psalm 121:1-2, where the psalmist looks to the hills and finds help in the Lord.

and dangers of the road
The "dangers of the road" further illustrate the perils and uncertainties of life, particularly in one's later years. Roads in ancient times were fraught with physical dangers, much like the spiritual and emotional challenges believers face. This imagery calls to mind the Christian journey, where faith is tested, and perseverance is required. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages trust in the Lord for guidance along life's paths, emphasizing divine protection and wisdom.

when the almond tree blossoms
The almond tree, known for its early blooming, symbolizes the onset of old age with its white blossoms reminiscent of gray hair. In Hebrew, the word for almond (שָׁקֵד, shaqed) is related to the word for "watchful" or "alert," suggesting the inevitability and suddenness of aging. This imagery serves as a reminder of life's brevity and the importance of spiritual readiness, echoing themes found in James 4:14, which speaks of life as a mist that appears briefly.

the grasshopper loses its spring
The grasshopper, once a symbol of vitality and energy, now represents the loss of physical strength and agility. This transformation underscores the natural decline that accompanies aging. In biblical literature, grasshoppers often symbolize insignificance or fleetingness, as in Isaiah 40:22, where humanity is compared to grasshoppers before God. This serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the need for divine strength.

and the caper berry shrivels
The caper berry, known for its stimulating properties, represents desire and vitality. Its shriveling signifies the waning of physical appetites and passions in old age. This decline is a natural part of the human experience, pointing to the transient nature of earthly pleasures. Ecclesiastes frequently contrasts temporal desires with eternal truths, urging believers to seek fulfillment in God rather than worldly pursuits, as seen in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25.

for then man goes to his eternal home
This phrase shifts the focus from earthly decline to the hope of eternity. The "eternal home" refers to the afterlife, a concept deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian belief. The Hebrew word for "eternal" (עוֹלָם, olam) conveys a sense of perpetuity and timelessness. This assurance of an eternal dwelling with God offers comfort and purpose, aligning with New Testament promises of eternal life through Christ, as in John 14:2-3.

and mourners walk the streets
The presence of mourners signifies the communal aspect of death and the impact of loss on those left behind. In ancient Israel, public mourning was a customary expression of grief, reflecting the shared sorrow of a community. This imagery highlights the reality of death and the importance of living a life that honors God and leaves a legacy of faith. It resonates with the Christian call to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15) and to find hope in the resurrection.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Men
Represents humanity, particularly in old age, facing the frailties and fears that come with it.

2. Heights and Dangers of the Road
Symbolizes the challenges and fears that become more pronounced in old age.

3. Almond Tree Blossoms
A metaphor for the whitening of hair in old age, as almond blossoms are white.

4. Grasshopper
Represents the frailty and weakness of the body in old age, struggling to move.

5. Caper Berry
Known for its stimulating properties, its shriveling signifies the loss of desire and vitality in old age.

Teaching Points

The Reality of Aging
Acknowledge the natural process of aging and the physical and mental changes it brings.

Encourage preparation for the later stages of life, both spiritually and practically.

Facing Fears with Faith
As fears and challenges increase with age, rely on faith and trust in God’s provision and protection.

Cultivate a spirit of courage and peace through prayer and scripture.

Eternal Perspective
Focus on the eternal home promised by God, which provides hope beyond the physical decline.

Live with an eternal mindset, prioritizing spiritual growth and relationships.

Community and Support
Recognize the importance of community and support systems, especially as physical abilities decline.

Encourage involvement in church and community activities to maintain connection and purpose.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the almond tree and grasshopper in Ecclesiastes 12:5 help us understand the process of aging?

2. In what ways can we prepare spiritually for the challenges of old age as described in this verse?

3. How does the concept of an "eternal home" provide comfort and hope in the face of aging and mortality?

4. What practical steps can we take to support and honor the elderly in our communities, reflecting the themes of Ecclesiastes 12:5?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 90:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-4, enhance our understanding of the message in Ecclesiastes 12:5?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 90:10
This verse speaks to the brevity and toil of life, echoing the themes of aging and mortality found in Ecclesiastes 12:5.

2 Corinthians 5:1-4
Paul discusses the earthly body as a temporary tent, which connects to the idea of going to an "eternal home" as mentioned in Ecclesiastes.

Job 14:1-2
Job reflects on the fleeting nature of life, similar to the imagery of aging and decline in Ecclesiastes 12:5.

Sermons

Man's Long Home	T. Young, B. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:5
On Death	H. Blair, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:5
Our Long Home	Alfred Norris.	Ecclesiastes 12:5
The Almond-Tree in Blossom	T. De Witt Talmage.	Ecclesiastes 12:5
The Eternal House	D. Swing.	Ecclesiastes 12:5
An Old Sermon for Young Hearers	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Days of Youth	Homilist	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Early Piety	W. Barrow, LL. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Human Life	Homilist	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
On the Advantages of an Early Piety	J. Tillotson, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Preparation for Old Age	H. W. Beecher.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Remember Thy Creator	W. Whale.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Remembering God	G. A. Gordon.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Creator Remembered	D. J. Burrell, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Creator Remembered	H. M. Booth, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Creator Remembered	Monday Club Sermons	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Days of Thy Youth	J. P. Chown.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Duty and Advantages of Early Piety	J. Jortin, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Irreligious Youth	S. Martin.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Remembrance of Our Creator	Christian Observer	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Warning not to Forget God	R. Newton, D. D.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
The Young Man's Task	H. Smith.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Young Persons Exhorted to Remember Their Creator	Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Youthful Piety: Described and Inculcated	W. Mudge, B. A.	Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Old Age and Death	D. Thomas	Ecclesiastes 12:2-7
Death, its Meaning and its Moral	W. Clarkson	Ecclesiastes 12:5-7

People

Solomon

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Afraid, Age-during, Age-long, Almond, Almond-tree, Along, Blossom, Blossoms, Burden, Caperberry, Caper-berry, Danger, Dangers, Desire, Despised, Drag, Drags, Effect, Eternal, Everlasting, Fail, Fails, Fear, Fears, Flourish, Flower, Furthermore, Goes, Grasshopper, Heights, Home, Increased, Ineffective, Itself, Least, Longer, Low, Mourners, Places, Resting-place, Road, Round, Sorrowing, Stirred, Street, Streets, Terrors, Tree, Weight, Yea, Yes

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Ecclesiastes 12:5

     4528   trees
     4660   insects
     5339   home
     5505   roads
     5828   danger
     8754   fear

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

     5004   human race, and sin
     5561   suffering, nature of
     6200   imperfection, influence

Ecclesiastes 12:2-7

5726 old age, attainment

Library

The Conclusion of the Matter
'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; 2. While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain; 3. In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4. And the doors shall be shut in …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Work of Our Sanctification.
How much more easily sanctity appears when regarded from this point of view. If the work of our sanctification presents, apparently, the most insurmountable difficulties, it is because we do not know how to form a just idea of it. In reality sanctity can be reduced to one single practice, fidelity to the duties appointed by God. Now this fidelity is equally within each one's power whether in its active practice, or passive exercise. The active practice of fidelity consists in accomplishing the duties …
Jean-Pierre de Caussade—Abandonment to Divine Providence

Circumstances and Consequences
And fears shall be in the way.' (Ecclesiastes xii. 5.) The man who wrote these words was specially emphasizing the importance of settling one's relationships to the great Creator before the coming of days when infirmities increase, and decay of natural powers sets in. The practical outcome of that thought is, that postponement only adds to one's difficulties when the battle really has to be fought. Amongst those difficulties the sacred writer places that natural foreboding, physical shrinking …
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

The Ancestral Home
John Van Nest Talmage was born at Somerville, New Jersey, August 18, 1819 He was the fourth son in a family of seven brothers and five sisters. The roots of the Talmage genealogical tree may be traced back to the year 1630, when Enos and Thomas Talmage, the progenitors of the Talmage family in North America, landed at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and afterwards settled at East Hampton, Long Island. Dr. Lyman Beecher represents the first settlers of East Hampton as "men resolute, enterprising, acquainted …
Rev. John Gerardus Fagg—Forty Years in South China

Letter cxxvi. To Marcellinus and Anapsychia.
Marcellinus, a Roman official of high rank, and Anapsychia his wife had written to Jerome from Africa to ask him his opinion on the vexed question of the origin of the soul. Jerome in his reply briefly enumerates the several views that have been held on the subject. For fuller information he refers his questioners to his treatise against Rufinus and also to their bishop Augustin who will, he says, explain the matter to them by word of mouth. Although it hardly appears in this letter Jerome is a decided …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Obedience to God the Way to Faith in Christ.
"When Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God."--Mark xii. 34. The answer of the scribe, which our blessed Lord here commends, was occasioned by Christ's setting before him the two great commandments of the Law. When He had declared the love of God and of man to comprehend our whole duty, the scribe said, "Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He: and to love Him with all the heart, and with …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
That house cannot stand.--Mark iii, 25. The times change and we change with them.--Proverb. The omission of all persecuting acts from the revision of the laws in 1750 was evidence that the worst features of the great schism were passing, that public opinion as a whole had grown averse to any great severity toward the Separatists as dissenters. But the continuance in the revised statutes of the Saybrook Platform as the legalized constitution of the "Presbyterian, Congregational or Consociated Church," …
M. Louise Greene, Ph. D.—The Development of Religious Liberty in Connecticut

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

1 to Pray Does not Imply that Without Prayer God Would not Give us Anything...
1. To pray does not imply that without prayer God would not give us anything or that He would be unaware of our needs, but it has this great advantage, that in the attitude of prayer the soul is best fitted to receive the Giver of blessing as well as those blessings He desires to bestow. Thus it was that the fullness of the Spirit was not poured out upon the Apostles on the first day, but after ten days of special preparation. If a blessing were conferred upon one without a special readiness for …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
O most righteous Judge, yet in Jesus Christ my gracious Father! I, wretched sinner, do here return unto thee, though driven with pain and sickness, like the prodigal child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pain comes not by blind chance or fortune, but by thy divine providence and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved; and the things that I feared are now fallen upon me (Job iii. 25.) Yet do I well perceive that in wrath …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Christian Man
Scripture references: Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7; 9:6; Job 33:4; Psalm 100:3; 8:4-9; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Hebrews 2:6,7; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 2:9. WHAT IS MAN? What Shall We Think of Man?--Who is he? What is his place on the earth and in the universe? What is his destiny? He is of necessity an object of thought. He is the subject of natural laws, instincts and passions. How far is he free; how far bound? …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Christ the King at his Table. Ss 1:2-5,12,13,17.
Christ the King at his table. SS 1:2-5,12,13,17. Let him embrace my soul, and prove Mine interest in his heav'nly love; The voice that tells me, "Thou art mine," Exceeds the blessings of the vine. On thee th' anointing Spirit came, And spreads the savor of thy name; That oil of gladness and of grace Draws virgin souls to meet thy face. Jesus, allure me by thy charms, My soul shall fly into thine arms! Our wand'ring feet thy favors bring To the fair chambers of the King. [Wonder and pleasure tune …
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Links

Ecclesiastes 12:5 NIV
Ecclesiastes 12:5 NLT
Ecclesiastes 12:5 ESV
Ecclesiastes 12:5 NASB
Ecclesiastes 12:5 KJV

Ecclesiastes 12:5 Commentaries

Bible Hub