What does the Bible say about the Silver Cord in Ecclesiastes 12:6?

Bible Question:

What does the Bible say about the Silver Cord in Ecclesiastes 12:6?

Bible Answer:

Ecclesiastes is a very unusual book of the Bible. The phrase “under the sun” (life on this earth) occurs 27 times in this book. It occurs more times in this book than in any other book of the Bible. In sharp contrast, the phrase “under heaven” occurs only three times. This reveals that the book describes what life is like for the person who rejects God. The opening statement is, “Vanity of vanity. All is vanity.” Another way to say it is “Empty of empties. All is empty.” Life without God is empty.

 

The first two chapters of the book remind us that life is repetitive and there is no lasting eternal advantage with wealth, fame, possessions, pleasure or worldly wisdom. The rest of the book tells us that life is unfair, that foolish things occur, and work is hard. Ecclesiastes 5:20 says that man.

. . . seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Ecclesiastes 5:20 (NIV)

That is, we are so busy enjoying the moment that we do not think about eternal issues.

In the last chapter, Ecclesiastes 12 focuses on the death of a man and his eternity. Verse 1 says,

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”. Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NASB)

Then we are given a description of the failure of our bodies to function correctly in the last days of our lives. As we age, aches and pains increase, and the various parts of our body cease to function correctly. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 is the end of the description.

Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 (NASB)

This verse accurately translates the Hebrew. The descriptions appear to be various body parts. But it is difficult to identify them precisely since symbolic expressions are used. Some interpret these expressions in a very general sense. But that ignores the obvious that verse 6 refers to the silver cord, the golden bowl, the pitcher. and the wheel. It appears that specific parts of the body are being mentioned.

The golden bowl may be the head. The pitcher may be the lungs, and the wheel may be the heart and circulatory system. The silver cord occurs only once in Scripture, here in Ecclesiastes 12:6. The Hebrew word for “cord” is hebel. It can be translated as a cord, rope, line, and measuring line.  We are told that this silver cord will be broken at the end of life. The Hebrew word for “broken” is rahaq. It means to sever or to cut into two parts. That is, the cord no longer functions or no longer works. Therefore, it appears best to understand this expression as referring to the departure of the spirit when the spinal cord ceases to function resulting in death. That is, the silver cord is the spinal column. When it stops working it is broken.

Conclusion:

The Holy Spirit ends Ecclesiastes by reminding us that life on this earth is empty and pointless in the end if we are living without God.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NKJV)

That is, at death our spirits depart and go to God who gave us an eternal spirit at birth. Then He determines if we go to heaven or hell. Where will you go after you die?

 

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