New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 5:3
3For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his 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 Living Translation (NLT)Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
Context of Ecclesiastes 5:3
1Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. 4When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5Better not to vow than to 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 are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
- Proverbs 10:19In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries