English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 5:3
3For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
Context of Ecclesiastes 5:3
1Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. 4When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
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 of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- Proverbs 10:19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out 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
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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