Ecclesiastes 5:2-5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Section 6. Man's outward and secular life being unable to secure happiness and satisfaction, can these be found in popular religion? Religious exercises need the observation of strict rules, which are far from meeting with general attention. Koheleth proceeds to give instruction, in the form of maxims, concerning public worship, prayer, and vows. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Koheleth warns against thoughtless words or hasty professions in prayer, which formed another feature of popular religion. Be not rash with thy mouth. The warning is against hasty and thoughtless words in prayer, words that go from the lips with glib facility, but come not from the heart. Thus our Lord bids those who pray not to use vain repetitions ( μὴ βαττολογήσατε ), as the heathen, who think to be heard for their much speaking ( Matthew 6:7 ). Jesus himself used the same words in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:3

The first clause illustrates the second, the mark of comparison being simply the copula, mere juxtaposition being deemed sufficient to denote the similitude, as in Ecclesiastes 7:1 ; Proverbs 17:3 ; Proverbs 27:21 . For a dream cometh through ( in consequence of ) the multitude of business. The verse is meant to confirm the injunction against vain babbling in prayer. Cares and anxieties in business or other matters occasion disturbed sleep, murder the dreamless repose of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:4

Koheleth passes on to give a warning concerning the making of vows, which formed a great feature in Hebrew religion, and was the occasion of much irreverence and profanity. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it . There is here plainly a reminiscence of Deuteronomy 23:21-23 . Vows are not regarded as absolute duties which every one was obliged to undertake. They are of a voluntary nature, but when made are to be strictly performed. They might consist of a promise to dedicate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:5

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow . There is no harm in not vowing ( Deuteronomy 23:22 ); but a vow once made becomes of the nature of an oath, and its non-performance is a sin and sacrilege, and incurs the punishment of false swearing. We gather from the Talmud that frivolous excuses for the evasion of vows were very common, and called for stern repression, One sees this in our Lord's references ( Matthew 5:33-37 ; Matthew 23:16-22 ). St. Paul severely reprehends those women... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Ecclesiastes 5:2. Be not rash with thy mouth Speak not without due consideration; and let not thy heart be hasty Do not give way to every sudden motion of thy heart, nor suffer it to break out of thy lips till thou hast well weighed it. We must think, and think twice, before we speak, when we are to speak, either from God in preaching, or to God in prayer, or in solemn vows and promises made in his presence; which were very much in use in those times, and of which he speaks in the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 5:3

Ecclesiastes 5:3. For a dream cometh, &c. When men’s minds are distracted and oppressed with too much business in the day, they are frequently disturbed with confused and perplexed dreams in the night. And as such dreams proceed from, and are the evidence of, a hurry of business filling the head, so many and hasty words flow from, and are a proof of, folly reigning in the heart. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 5:4

Ecclesiastes 5:4. When thou vowest a vow unto God When thou obligest thyself by a solemn promise to honour God, and serve the interest of his kingdom; or to do good to any of thy fellow-creatures in some particular way, to do which thou wast not under any antecedent obligation: when, for instance, under the sense of some affliction, or through thy desire of obtaining, or in thankfulness for having obtained, some particular mercy, thou hast vowed such a vow as this unto God, know that thou... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 5:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 5:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

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

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