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Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Guard 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. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Walk 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. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Guard 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. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Guard your steps and focus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Guard 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. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Be careful what you do when you enter the house of God. Fools go there to offer sacrifices, because all they do is sin. But it's best just to listen when you go to worship. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Watch your step when you go to the house of God. It is better to go there and listen than to bring the sacrifices fools bring. Fools are unaware that they are doing [something] evil. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Be careful about going to the Temple. It is better to go there to learn than to offer sacrifices like foolish people who don't know right from wrong. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Watch your step whenever you visit God's house, and come more ready to listen than to offer a fool's sacrifice, since fools never think they're doing evil. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice like fools, for they do not realize that they are doing wrong. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Guard your step when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Guard your steps when you go to God’s house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don’t know that they do evil. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Keep your feet when you go to a house of God, and draw near to hear rather than to give of fools the sacrifice, for they do not know they do evil. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Keep thy feet when thou goest unto a house of God, and draw near to hear rather than to give of fools the sacrifice, for they do not know they do evil. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Watch thy feet when thou shalt go to the house of God, and draw near to hear, rather than give the sacrifice of the foolish, for they not knowing the doing of evil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 4:17>Guard your foot, when you step into the house of God, and draw near, so that you may listen. For obedience is much better than the sacrifices of the foolish, who do not know the evil that they are doing. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Guard your step when you go to the house of God. Draw near for obedience, rather than for the fools’ offering of sacrifice; for they know not how to keep from doing evil. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools; for they do not know how to keep from doing evil.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> LET your conduct be seemly when you go to the house of God; and to draw near to hear is better than the gift offerings of fools; for they know not to do that which is good. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> For keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and come near; to hear is better than gifts of the offerings of fools, because fools do not know to do what is good<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Guard thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be ready to hearken: it is better than when fools give sacrifices; for they know not that they do evil. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Keep thy foot, whensoever thou goest to the house of God; and when thou art near to hear, let thy sacrifice be better than the gift of fools: for they know not that they are doing evil. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=812" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Approaching God with Awe</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šə·mōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">Guard</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·lɛ·ḵå̄ (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">your steps</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: tê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">you go</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: wə·qā·rō·wḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">Draw near</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: liš·mō·a‘ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">to listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: mit·têṯ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">rather than to offer</a> <a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: zā·ḇaḥ (N-ms) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">the sacrifice</a> <a href="/hebrew/3684.htm" title="3684: hak·kə·sî·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Stupid fellow, dullard, fool. From kacal; properly, fat, i.e. stupid or silly.">of fools,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ê·nām (Adv:: 3mp) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·wḏ·‘îm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know that</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: la·‘ă·śō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">they do</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">wrong.</a> 2Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a> The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/isaiah/1-12.htm">Isaiah 1:12-17</a> When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. ... <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a> And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. <a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19-20</a> My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. <a href="/psalms/50-14.htm">Psalm 50:14-15</a> Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. / Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Jeremiah 7:21-23</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! / For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a> and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” <a href="/psalms/66-13.htm">Psalm 66:13-14</a> I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— / the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress. <a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a> For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” <a href="/hebrews/13-15.htm">Hebrews 13:15-16</a> Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. / And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.thy foot<a href="/genesis/28-16.htm">Genesis 28:16,17</a> And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not… <a href="/exodus/3-5.htm">Exodus 3:5</a> And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.<a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Leviticus 10:3</a> Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.ready<a href="/acts/10-33.htm">Acts 10:33</a> Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.<a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Acts 17:11</a> These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.<a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a> Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:give<a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3-5</a> And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD… <a href="/1_samuel/13-12.htm">1 Samuel 13:12,13</a> Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering… <a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm">1 Samuel 15:21,22</a> But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-28.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Care</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-5.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-5.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-19.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">God's</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-22.htm">Goest</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-2.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-19.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-12.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-14.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-17.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-20.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-5.htm">Better</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Care</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-20.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/songs/5-3.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-1.htm">God's</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-10.htm">Goest</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-3.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-5.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/songs/8-13.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-7.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/songs/8-4.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 5</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">vanities in divine service</a> 8. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">in murmuring against oppression</a> 9. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">and in riches</a> 18. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Joy in riches is the gift of God.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. This phrase emphasizes the importance of approaching worship with reverence and mindfulness. The "house of God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. In biblical times, the temple was not only a place for sacrifices but also a symbol of God's presence among His people. The admonition to "guard your steps" suggests a careful and respectful approach, recognizing the holiness of the place and the seriousness of worship. This echoes the instructions given to Moses at the burning bush (<a href="/exodus/3-5.htm">Exodus 3:5</a>) and Joshua before the commander of the Lord's army (<a href="/joshua/5-15.htm">Joshua 5:15</a>), where they were told to remove their sandals because they were on holy ground. It underscores the need for a heart prepared to meet God, aligning with the broader biblical theme of approaching God with humility and sincerity (<a href="/psalms/24-3.htm">Psalm 24:3-4</a>).Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, Listening is prioritized over offering sacrifices, highlighting the value of obedience and understanding over mere ritual. This reflects the prophetic tradition found in <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>, where Samuel tells Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. The "sacrifice of fools" refers to offerings made without genuine repentance or understanding, which God does not desire (<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a>). In the cultural context of ancient Israel, sacrifices were a central part of religious life, but they were meant to be expressions of a heart aligned with God's will. This phrase calls for a posture of learning and submission to God's word, reminiscent of Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a> about the wise man who builds his house on the rock by hearing and doing God's word.who do not know that they do wrong. This part of the verse highlights the danger of ignorance in worship. The "fools" are those who are unaware of their wrongdoing, possibly due to a lack of self-examination or understanding of God's requirements. This ignorance can lead to empty rituals and a false sense of security, as seen in the warnings to the Israelites in the prophets (e.g., <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a>, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"). It serves as a caution against complacency and the assumption that external acts of worship are sufficient. This ignorance contrasts with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). In the New Testament, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on outward rituals while neglecting the weightier matters of the law (<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a>). This phrase calls believers to seek true understanding and alignment with God's will, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is the wisdom of God (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> - Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the temple in Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/h/house_of_god.htm">House of God</a> - Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Israelites where sacrifices and offerings were made. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sacrifice_of_fools.htm">Sacrifice of Fools</a> - This phrase refers to offerings made without genuine reverence or understanding, often out of ritualistic obligation rather than heartfelt devotion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/approach_god_with_reverence.htm">Approach God with Reverence</a> When entering into worship or prayer, do so with a heart prepared to listen and learn, acknowledging the holiness of God. <a href="/topical/v/value_listening_over_speaking.htm">Value Listening Over Speaking</a> Prioritize listening to God's Word and His guidance over offering empty words or promises. This reflects a heart truly seeking to understand and obey. <a href="/topical/a/avoid_empty_rituals.htm">Avoid Empty Rituals</a> Ensure that your acts of worship and service are genuine and not merely out of habit or obligation. True worship stems from a sincere relationship with God. <a href="/topical/r/recognize_the_consequences_of_foolishness.htm">Recognize the Consequences of Foolishness</a> Understand that offering the "sacrifice of fools" can lead to unintentional wrongdoing. Seek wisdom and discernment in your spiritual practices.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 5</a> <a href="/q/who_was_nahash_in_the_bible.htm">How can one persistently strive to achieve their goals?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_songs_of_ascent.htm">What are the Songs of Ascent in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_1_5_contradict_astronomy.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:5 - The verse suggests a geocentric view of the sun moving around the earth; does this contradict modern astronomy?</a> <a href="/q/where_to_store_true_treasures.htm">Where should you store your true treasures?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>V.(1) In the Hebrew division this is the last verse of the preceding chapter; but clearly here a new section begins, containing proverbs in the second person singular, which has not hitherto been used. There is no obvious connection with what has gone before; possibly the precepts here introduced were traditionally known to have been part of Solomon's teaching.They consider not.--The most natural translation of this clause would be, "They know not how to do evil," i.e., are incapable of doing evil. This would force us to understand the subject of the clause to be, not the fools, but those who are ready to hear. The Authorised Version exhibits one of the expedients resorted to in order to get a better meaning. Another is, "They are without knowledge, so that they do evil."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-7. - Section 6. Man's outward and secular life being unable to secure happiness and satisfaction, can these be found in popular religion? Religious exercises need the observation of strict rules, which are far from meeting with general attention. Koheleth proceeds to give instruction, in the form of maxims, concerning public worship, prayer, and vows. Verse 1. - This verse, in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin Bibles, forms the conclusion of <a href="/ecclesiastes/4.htm">Ecclesiastes 4</a>, and is taken independently; but the division in our version is more natural, and the connection of this with the following verses is obvious. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, Some read "feet" instead of "foot," but the singular and plural numbers are both found in this signification (comp. <a href="/psalms/119-59.htm">Psalm 119:59, 105</a>; <a href="/proverbs/1-15.htm">Proverbs 1:15</a>; <a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm">Proverbs 4:26, 27</a>). To "keep the foot" is to be careful of the conduct, to remember what you are about, whither you are going. There is no allusion to the sacerdotal rite of washing the feet before entering the holy place (<a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Exodus 30:18, 19</a>), nor to the custom of removing the shoes on entering a consecrated building, which was a symbol of reverential awe and obedient service. The expression is simply a term connected with man's ordinary life transferred to his moral and religious life. The house of God is the temple. The tabernacle is called "the house of Jehovah" (<a href="/1_samuel/1-7.htm">1 Samuel 1:7</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/12-20.htm">2 Samuel 12:20</a>), and this name is commonly applied to the temple; e.g., <a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">1 Kings 3:1</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/8-16.htm">2 Chronicles 8:16</a>; <a href="/ezra/3-11.htm">Ezra 3:11</a>. But "house of God" is applied also to the temple (<a href="/2_chronicles/5-14.htm">2 Chronicles 5:14</a>; <a href="/ezra/5-8.htm">Ezra 5:8, 15</a>, etc.), so that we need not, with Bullock, suppose that Koheleth avoids the name of the Lord of the covenant as "a natural sign of the writer's humiliation after his fall into idolatry, and an acknowledgment of his unworthiness of the privileges of a son of the covenant." It is probable that the expression here is meant to include synagogues as well as the great temple at Jerusalem, since the following clause seems to imply that exhortation would be heard there, which formed no part of the temple service. The verse has furnished a text on the subject of the reverence due to God's house and service from Chrysostom downwards. And be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools. Various are the renderings of this clause. Wright, "For to draw near to hear is (better) than the fools offering sacrifices." (So virtually Knobel, Ewald, etc.) Ginsburg, "For it is nearer to obey than to offer the sacrifice of the disobedient;" i.e. it is the straighter, truer way to take when you obey God than when you merely perform outward service. The Vulgate takes the infinitive verb as equivalent to the imperative, as the Authorized Version, Appropinqua ut audias; but it is best to regard it as pure infinitive, and to translate, "To approach in order to hear is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools." The sentiment is the same as that in <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>, 'Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." The same thought occurs in <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/50-7.htm">Psalm 50:7-15</a>; and continually in the prophets; e.g., <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Jeremiah 7:21-23</a>; <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>, etc. It is the reaction against the mere ceremonialism which marked the popular religion. Koheleth had seen and deplored this at Jerusalem and elsewhere, and he enunciates the great troth that it is more acceptable to God that one should go to his house to hear the Law read and taught and expounded, than to offer a formal sacrifice, which, as being the offering of a godless man is called in proverbial language "the sacrifice of fools" (<a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Proverbs 21:27</a>). The verb used here, "give" (nathan), is not the usual expression for offering sacrifice, and may possibly refer to the feast which accompanied such sacrifices, and which often degenerated into excess (Delitzsch). That the verb rendered "to hear" does not mean merely "to obey" is plain from its reference to conduct in the house of God. The reading of the Law, and probably of the prophets, formed a feature of the temple service in Koheleth's day; the expounding of the same in public was confined to the synagogues, which seem to have originated in the time of the exile, though there were doubtless before that time some regular occasions of assembling together (see <a href="/2_kings/4-23.htm">2 Kings 4:23</a>). For they consider not that they do evil; Ὅι οὐκ εἰσὶν εἰδότες τοῦ ποιῆσαι κακόν (Septuagint); Qui nesciunt quid faciunt mali (Vulgate); "They are without knowledge, so that they do evil" (Delitzsch, Knobel, etc.); "As they (who obey) know not to do evil" (Gins-burg). The words can scarcely mean, "They know not that they do evil;" nor, as Hitzig has, "They know not how to be sorrowful." There is much difficulty in understanding the passage according to the received reading, and Nowack, with others, deems the text corrupt. If we accept what we now find, it is best to translate, "They know not, so that they do evil;" i.e. their ignorance predisposes them to err in this matter. The persons meant are the "fools" who offer unacceptable sacrifices. These know not how to worship God heartily and properly, and, thinking to please him with their formal acts of devotion, fall into a grievous sin. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Guard שְׁמֹ֣ר (šə·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to your steps רַגְלְךָ֗ (raḡ·lə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> A foot, a step, the pudenda when כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you go תֵּלֵךְ֙ (tê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the house בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of God. הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Draw near וְקָר֣וֹב (wə·qā·rō·wḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> Near to listen לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ (liš·mō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently rather than to offer מִתֵּ֥ת (mit·têṯ) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set the sacrifice זָ֑בַח (zā·ḇaḥ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2077.htm">Strong's 2077: </a> A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice of fools, הַכְּסִילִ֖ים (hak·kə·sî·lîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3684.htm">Strong's 3684: </a> Stupid fellow, dullard, fool who כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction do not אֵינָ֥ם (’ê·nām) Adverb | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle know that יוֹדְעִ֖ים (yō·wḏ·‘îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know they do לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make wrong. רָֽע׃ (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:1 Guard your steps when you go (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 4:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 4:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>