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

1Do not be quick with your mouth nor hasty in your heart to utter a word in God’s presence. For God is in heaven, and you are on the earth— therefore, let your words be few. 2As a dream comes with excessive burdens so a fool’s voice with too many words. When you swear a vow to God, don’t delay in fulfilling it. For He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 4It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay. 5Don’t let your mouth lead your flesh to sin, and don’t say before the messenger, “It was a mistake!” Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

Ecclesiastes 5:3 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• For a dreamחֲלוֹםchălôm chălôm · dreamH2472
• comethבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• through the multitudeרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• of businessעִנְיָן‛inyân · taskH6045
• and a fool’sכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• voiceקוֹלqôl qôl · voiceH6963
• of wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:3

• Ecclesiastes 10:12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool destroy him.
• Proverbs 10:19When words abound, transgression is unavoidable. but whoever restrains his lips is wise.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of fools 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