Christian Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 5:3
3Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words.
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. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words. 4When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 5Ecclesiastes 5:3 word by word
כִּ֛י בָּ֥א הַחֲל֖וֹם בְּרֹ֣ב עִנְיָ֑ן וְק֥וֹל כְּסִ֖יל בְּרֹ֥ב דְּבָרִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:3
- Ecclesiastes 10:12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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