Ecclesiastes 12:6

Or euer the siluer corde be loosed, or the golden bowle be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountaine, or the wheele broken at the cisterne. Ecclesiastes 12:6 (KJV)

Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom literature traditionally attributed to King Solomon. It explores the meaning and purpose of life, examining various aspects of human existence and the pursuit of worldly pleasures. The book presents a sober reflection on the fleeting nature of human endeavors and the ultimate limits of human understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:6 is found toward the end of the book, in a section commonly known as the conclusion or the epilogue. In this closing passage the author uses vivid, poetic imagery to portray the final stages of life. The verse mentions four striking symbols: the silver cord, the golden bowl, the pitcher, and the wheel.

These symbols suggest the approach of old age and the diminishing strength and vitality that comes with it. The loosening of the silver cord points to the weakening of the life‑force; the breaking of the golden bowl signifies the loss of preciousness and the decline of mental faculties; the pitcher broken at the fountain evokes the failure of the heart’s capacity to draw sustenance; and the wheel broken at the cistern illustrates the cessation of life’s motion. Together they depict the gradual decline and eventual failure of the body and mind.

Overall, Ecclesiastes 12:6 poetically depicts the gradual decline and ultimate mortality of human life. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of our physical existence and the reality of our mortality, urging the reader to consider the deeper, lasting significance of one’s actions in light of life’s inevitable end.