Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 NASB

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

5:1-10:20 MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE’S FRUSTRATIONSAdvice about religion (5:1-7)Among the many affairs of everyday life that the writer deals with is the matter of religious practices. First he warns that the offering of sacrifices is useless if the worshippers have no desire to listen to God’s word or obey it (5:1). Those thinking of making vows must consider their vows carefully before telling them to God. Too many words may lead to foolish vows, just as too much work can produce bad dreams... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 5:2

thing = word. upon earth. Same idea as "under the sun". See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:3

Ecclesiastes 5:3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business— For as a dream bringeth abundance of trouble, so does the voice of an ignorant [or unguarded] man abundance of words. Desvoeux. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:2

2. rash—opposed to the considerate reverence ("keep thy foot," :-). This verse illustrates :-, as to prayer in the house of God ("before God," Isaiah 1:12); so Isaiah 1:12- : as to vows. The remedy to such vanities is stated (Ecclesiastes 5:6). "Fear thou God." God is in heaven—Therefore He ought to be approached with carefully weighed words, by thee, a frail creature of earth. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:3

3. As much "business," engrossing the mind, gives birth to incoherent "dreams," so many words, uttered inconsiderately in prayer, give birth to and betray "a fool's speech" ( :-), [HOLDEN and WEISS]. But :- implies that the "dream" is not a comparison, but the vain thoughts of the fool (sinner, :-), arising from multiplicity of (worldly) "business." His "dream" is that God hears him for his much speaking ( :-), independently of the frame of mind [English Version and MAURER]. fool's... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

The effect of rash vows 5:1-7An interlude of proverbs follows the personal section just concluded."The sacrifice of fools" in view (Ecclesiastes 5:1) is a rash vow, as is clear from what follows. Ecclesiastes 5:3 seems to compare the verbosity of a fool in making a rash vow to God and the endless dreams one often experiences after a very busy day. Much work generates many dreams, and a fool utters too many words. [Note: Kaiser, Ecclesiastes . . ., p. 75.] If a person makes a rash promise to God... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 5:1-9

4. The perishable fruits of labor 5:1-6:9This section emphasizes the folly of trying to find ultimate satisfaction in one’s work. Solomon focused on a variety of situations that involve the fruits of labor: money and what it can buy, fame, and pleasure. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Disheartening Outlook on Life1-8. Disorders in the religious, in the political world. In the earlier part of this chapter the writer turns from secular to religious matters. H e points out the irreverence which belongs to worship offered without due thought.1. Keep thy foot] cp. Psalms 119:101; Proverbs 1:15. Either be silent, or use thoughtfully framed words of prayer, as contrasted with hasty offerings combined with ungodliness of life.And be more ready to hear] RV ’for to draw nigh to hear... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 5:2

(2) Few.—Sir. 7:14; Sir. 18:22. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Ecclesiastes 5:2 To bind myself to diligence in seeking the Lord, and to stir me up thereto, I made a vow to pray so many times a day; how many times I cannot be positive; but it was at least thrice. It was the goodness of God to me, that it was made only for a definite space of time; but I found it so far from being a help, that it was really a hindrance to my devotion, making me more heartless in, and averse to, duty, through the corruption of my nature. I got the pain of it driven out... read more