ecclesiastes-5:4-5-esv

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 5:4

vowest a vow = makest a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . pleasure. See note on "purpose", Ecclesiastes 3:1 , and App-76 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

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

Better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:4

Ecclesiastes 5:4. For he hath no pleasure in fools— For it is the property of fools to have no fixed will. Desvoeux. The Hebrew is, For no will in fools; and so the LXX render it. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:4

4. When thou vowest a vow unto God—Hasty words in prayer (Ecclesiastes 5:2; Ecclesiastes 5:3) suggest the subject of hasty vows. A vow should not be hastily made (Judges 11:35; 1 Samuel 14:24). When made, it must be kept (Psalms 76:11), even as God keeps His word to us (Exodus 12:41; Exodus 12:51; Joshua 21:45). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

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

5. (Deuteronomy 23:21; Deuteronomy 23:23). 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 5:4

(4) There is here a clear recognition of the passage in Deuteronomy. (See ref.; comp. Sir. 18:23.)No pleasure in fools.—Comp. Isaiah 62:4. 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