Ecclesiastes 5:3

Ecclesiastes 5:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
• New International Version (NIV)A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.

Context of Ecclesiastes 5:3

1Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. 4When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. 5It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 word by word

כִּ֛י בָּ֥א הַחֲל֖וֹם בְּרֹ֣ב עִנְיָ֑ן וְק֥וֹל כְּסִ֖יל בְּרֹ֥ב דְּבָרִֽים׃Read the interlinear

• Asכִּיkîy · forH3588
• a dreamחֲלוֹםchălôm chălôm · dreamH2472
• comesבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• through manyרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• caresעִנְיָן‛inyân · taskH6045
• so the speechקוֹלqôl qôl · voiceH6963
• of a foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:3

• Ecclesiastes 10:12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
• Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3For a dream cometh - That is, as dreams are generally the effect of the business in which we have been engaged during the day; so a multitude of words evidence the feeble workings of the foolish heart.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3many cares...many words: We should aim for moderation in our actions and speech (see Proverbs 10:19).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. 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" (Ec 10:14), [Holden and Weiss]. But Ec 5:7 implies that the "dream" is not a comparison, but the vain thoughts of the fool (sinner, Psa 73:20), arising from multiplicity of (worldly) "business." His "dream" is that God hears him for his much speaking (Mt 6:7), independently of the…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 5:3

• Dream
• Speaking
• Words

In the dictionaries

• Abundance
• Angry
• Defer
• Eat
• Error
• Vow
• Business
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings