T he Wisdom of Remembering God in One’s Youth (Qoh 12,1) And Why It Is Important

The preaching of Qoheleth resonates through millennia and centuries: "Vanity of vanities!Everything is vanity!"Aside from this proclamation, Qoheleth and his book is relatively unknown and relatively unexplored.This article seeks to bring out from the treasure trove of Old Testament wisdom the voice of Qoheleth in perhaps one of the most important parts of his book -the concluding dialogue -his advice to the young man.Qoheleth advices the young man, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.(Qoh.12,1)" In unpacking the richness of what seems to be a very simple counsel, this short paper brings to the reader the beauty of its every carefully chosen word (lexical analysis), the poetry that surrounds the injunction (syntax), the complex cultural and inter-textual dynamics (history and intertextuality) of the text.This paper was written for the young and for all who accompany the young that the voice of Qoheleth may reach them and bring them back to constantly remembering the Creator.