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Book of Ecclesiastes - Chapter 12 - Verse 6

12:6
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

Meaning

The verse 'Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.' is found in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. This verse is often interpreted as a metaphor for the fragility and fleeting nature of life. The silver cord represents the thread of life that connects the body and soul, suggesting that life is precious and can be easily severed. The golden bowl and the pitcher being broken at the fountain symbolize the end of life; when the vessel can no longer hold the water, or the wheel at the cistern can no longer draw water, it signifies the end of life's journey. Overall, this verse emphasizes the transient nature of life and encourages reflection on the brevity of human existence.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Ecclesiastes 12:6, the imagery of the silver cord being loosed, the golden bowl being broken, the pitcher being broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern represents the end of life and the brevity of human existence. The silver cord refers to the spinal cord or the thread of life that connects the body to the soul. When this cord is loosed, it symbolizes death and the separation of the soul from the body. The golden bowl being broken signifies the end of vitality and the deterioration of the body, while the breaking of the pitcher at the fountain and the wheel at the cistern represent the loss of life-giving water and the cessation of the flow of life itself. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, urging readers to reflect on the transient nature of human existence and the importance of living purposefully before the finality of death.

American Standard Version

before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
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