Ecclesiastes 12:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
American King James Version (AKJV)
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
American Standard Version (ASV)
before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not dark, and the clouds come not back after the rain;
Webster's Revision
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
World English Bible
Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
English Revised Version (ERV)
or ever the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 12:2 Bible Commentary
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened - i.e., in the Spring, prime, and prosperity of life.
Nor the clouds return - The infirmities of old age of which Winter is a proper emblem, as spring is of youth, in the former clause of this verse.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 12:2 Bible Commentary
While ... not - Or, Before. The darkening of the lights of heaven denotes a time of affliction and sadness. Compare Ezekiel 32:7-8; Job 3:9; Isaiah 5:30. Contrast this representation of old age with 2 Samuel 23:4-5.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 12:2 Bible Commentary
12:2 Which - Heb. While the sun, and the light, and the moon, &c.That clause, and the light, seems to be added to signify that he speaks of the darkening of the sun, and moon, and stars; not in themselves, but only in respect of that light which they afford to men. And therefore the same clause which is expressed after the sun, is to be understood after the moon and stars. And those expressions may be understood of the outward parts of the body, and especially of the face, the beauty of the countenance, the pleasant complexion of the cheeks, the liveliness of the eyes, which are compared to the sun, and moon, and stars, and which are obscured in old age, as the Chaldee paraphrast understands it. Or of external things, of the change of their joy, which they had in their youth, into sorrow, and manifold calamities, which are usually the companions of old age. This interpretation agrees both with the foregoing verse, in which he describes the miseries of old age, and with the following clause, which is added to explain those otherwise ambiguous expressions; and with the scripture use of this phrase; for a state of comfort and happiness is often described by the light of the sun, and a state of trouble is set forth, by the darkening of the light of the sun. Nor the clouds - This phrase denotes a perpetual succession of rain, and clouds bringing rain, and then rain and clouds again. Whereby he expresses either the rheums or destructions which incessantly flow in old men; or the continual vicissitude of infirmities, diseases, and griefs; one deep calling upon another.