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11 The words of the sages are like prods,[a]
and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails;
they are given by one shepherd.

Concluding Exhortation: Fear God and Obey His Commands

12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.[b]
There is no end to the making[c] of many books,
and much study is exhausting to the body.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 12:11 tn Or “goads”; NCV “sharp sticks used to guide animals.” For further information see M. A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation, 29-32.
  2. Ecclesiastes 12:12 sn The exhortation may be understood in two ways: (1) to avoid any so-called wisdom sayings beyond those mentioned in vv. 10-11: “The words of the wise…are given from one shepherd. And of anything beyond these, my son, be warned!” (see RSV, NRSV, NAB, Douay, NIV). This is paraphrased well by Moffatt: “My son, avoid anything beyond the scriptures of wisdom” (Moffatt). (2) The exhortation refers to the concerns of v. 12b, namely, diligent study is wearisome, i.e., “Furthermore, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of books, and much study is wearisome to the body” (see NEB, ASV, NASB, MLB).
  3. Ecclesiastes 12:12 tn The verb עָשָׂה (ʿasah, “to do”) may mean “to make” (HALOT 890 s.v. I עשׂה 3) or “to acquire” (HALOT 891 s.v. I עשׂה 6). The LXX rendered it as ποιῆσαι (poiēsai, “making”), as do most English versions: “making” (KJV, YLT, RSV, NRSV, NAB, ASV, MLB, NIV, NJPS). However, several English versions reflect a different nuance: “there is no end to the buying of books” (Moffatt); “the use of books is endless” (NEB); and “the writing of many books is endless” (NASB).
  4. Ecclesiastes 12:12 tn Heb “the flesh.” The term בָּשָׂר (basar, “flesh”) refers to the body, functioning as a synecdoche or part (i.e., flesh, skin) for the whole (i.e., body), e.g., Gen 17:13; Ps 16:9; Prov 14:30 (see E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 642).

11 The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods,(A) and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails.(B) The sayings are given by one Shepherd.[a]

12 But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books,(C) and much study wearies the body.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 12:11 Or by a shepherd