This verse contains the second of the “before” clauses and so marks the second subunit within 12.1-7. We note how it uses some of the same vocabulary (“light,” “darkness,” “sun”) as 11.7.

Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened: the thought here seems to be the end of the world, reversing the process of creation. What causes the end is not mentioned. The main question, however, is whether this describes a real cosmic event, or whether it has a figurative meaning. Then, if it has a figurative meaning, what does it refer to? To old age and the gradual loss of sight, or perhaps to death? Good News Translation concludes it refers to old age, making this clear by adding the words “for you”: “the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars will grow dim for you.” Bible en français courant similarly personalizes the verse: “You will be in darkness, as when the light of the sun weakens….” This version goes on to point out in a footnote that this and the descriptions that follow (verses 2-5) describe the physical problems and weaknesses that come with old age. Many versions include similar notes (Jerusalem Bible, for example). But there is still another possible interpretation. We have already noted that “darkness” often means death, so the darkening of these heavenly bodies may also be a way to refer to death. The meaning here would be to remember the Creator before it is too late, that is, before a person dies.

The translator has several options. We can follow the common language versions, though this seems to restrict the interpretation of the passage. Or we can translate literally, possibly with notes stating that this description can be applied to old age or death. As noted in the introduction to this chapter, we suggest this latter approach; thus references to sun, light, moon, and stars can be retained.

For the verb darkened we can also say “cease to shine,” “shine no longer.”

And the clouds return after the rain: this clause complements the previous one, in some way referring to darkness. The meaning of the Hebrew verb rendered as return is difficult to determine. What are the clouds doing? Are they “retreating,” “going away again” after the rain, signaling the end of the rain? Or do they “come back” after the rain, suggesting that yet more rain will fall? And if the latter, is this image meant to be positive or negative?

If we consider the context of this clause, it seems that the clouds are returning rather than retreating. This signals the return of darkness, paralleling the ideas in the first part of the verse. The picture is of one storm coming after another, with no hope of a reprieve. Certainly the context speaks of threatening clouds, not clouds bringing blessing and benefit. Good News Translation avoids the problem of translating the Hebrew verb by saying “and the rain clouds will never pass away.” This expresses the image of darkness but does not seem to faithfully render the original.

We recommend translating this clause in a straightforward manner: “before the rain clouds come back.” We can also make the image clearer: “before the rain clouds come back to darken the sky.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .