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 as you go to the house of God, and approach to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2Do not be quick with your mouth or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of a fool through many words. 4When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5It is better that you not vow, than vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 word by word

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

• For the dreamחֲלוֹםchălôm chălôm · dreamH2472
• comesבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• through muchרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• effortעִנְיָן‛inyân · taskH6045
• and the voiceקוֹלqôl qôl · voiceH6963
• foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:3

• Ecclesiastes 10:12Words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;
• Proverbs 10:19When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge pleasant, But the mouth of fools spouts 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

• 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