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God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Be 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. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Do 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. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Do 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. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Do not be hasty in word 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. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Do not be hasty in word 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. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Do not be hasty with your mouth or impulsive in your heart to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven but you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Do not be hasty with your mouth [speaking careless words or vows] or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few. <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don't talk too much. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't be in a hurry to talk. Don't be eager to speak in the presence of God. Since God is in heaven and you are on earth, limit the number of your words. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Think before you speak, and don't make any rash promises to God. He is in heaven and you are on earth, so don't say any more than you have to. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Don't be impulsive with your mouth nor be in a hurry to talk in God's presence. Since God is in heaven and you're on earth, keep your speech short. <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth! Therefore, let your words be few. <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Do not be rash with your mouth, and do not let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Do not cause your mouth to hurry, and do not let your heart hurry to bring out a word before God, for God is in the heavens, and you on the earth, therefore let your words be few. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Cause not thy mouth to hasten, and let not thy heart hasten to bring out a word before God, for God is in the heavens, and thou on the earth, therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Thou shalt not hasten with thy mouth, and thy heart shall not be quick to bring forth a word to the face of God: for God is in the heavens, and thou upon the earth: for this thy words shall be few.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Speak not any thing rashly, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 5:1>You should not speak anything rashly, nor should your heart be hasty to present a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth. For this reason, let your words be few. <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Be not hasty in your utterance and let not your heart be quick to utter a promise in God’s presence. God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Never be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Do not be quick with your mouth and your heart will not be quick to send out a word in front of God, because God is in Heaven and you are in the Earth; because of this let your words be few<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Be not hasty with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be swift to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven above, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/5-2.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=824" 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> 1Guard 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. 2<a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/926.htm" title="926: tə·ḇa·hêl (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To disturb, terrify. A primitive root; to tremble inwardly, i.e. be alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously.">be quick</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">speak,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4116.htm" title="4116: yə·ma·hêr (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To hasten. A primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. to hurry; often used adverbially, promptly.">be hasty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: wə·lib·bə·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">in your heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: lə·hō·w·ṣî (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">to utter</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a word</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</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">God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">After all,</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">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: baš·šā·ma·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">is in heaven</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">and you</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">are on</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">earth.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">So</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">let your words</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">be</a> <a href="/hebrew/4592.htm" title="4592: mə·‘aṭ·ṭîm (Adj-mp) -- A little, fewness, a few. Or miat; from ma'at; a little or few.">few.</a> 3As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.…<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/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. <a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a> My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, <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="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Proverbs 17:27</a> A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. <a href="/proverbs/29-20.htm">Proverbs 29:20</a> Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. <a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2</a> We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. <a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Proverbs 15:28</a> The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a> But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a> He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. <a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a> In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. <a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a> He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. <a href="/matthew/5-37.htm">Matthew 5:37</a> Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one. <a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a> He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. <a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a> Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. <a href="/proverbs/16-23.htm">Proverbs 16:23</a> The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and you on earth: therefore let your words be few.not rash<a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Genesis 18:27,30,32</a> And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: … <a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20,22</a> And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, … <a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2-5</a> If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth… thing<a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a> But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.<a href="/isaiah/55-9.htm">Isaiah 55:9</a> For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.<a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9</a> After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.let thy<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:3,7</a> For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words… <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.<a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a> But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/psalms/109-8.htm">Few</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Hasten</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-20.htm">Hasty</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-26.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-7.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Rash</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-2.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-21.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-8.htm">Word</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Few</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Hasten</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Hasty</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-20.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-4.htm">Rash</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-20.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/hosea/13-13.htm">Unwise</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-11.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Word</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Words</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>Do not be quick to speak This phrase emphasizes the importance of restraint in speech, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. <a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19</a> advises believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak," highlighting the wisdom in thoughtful communication. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, where oral tradition was significant, words held great power and were not to be used carelessly. <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> also warns that "when words are many, sin is not absent," underscoring the potential for error when speaking impulsively.and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God This part of the verse cautions against rash vows or promises made to God, a practice that was common in ancient religious contexts. In biblical history, vows were serious commitments (<a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>), and failing to fulfill them was considered sinful. The heart, often seen as the seat of intention and emotion, must be guarded to ensure sincerity and reverence in communication with the divine. Jesus, in <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a>, warns against "vain repetitions" in prayer, advocating for sincerity over verbosity.For God is in heaven and you are on earth This phrase establishes a clear distinction between the divine and human realms, emphasizing God's sovereignty and transcendence. It reflects the biblical worldview of God's omnipotence and omnipresence, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding. The geographical imagery of heaven and earth serves to remind believers of their humble position before an almighty God, encouraging a posture of humility and reverence.So let your words be few The conclusion of the verse advises brevity in speech, particularly in prayer and worship. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus in <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7-8</a>, where He instructs His followers not to babble like pagans, for God knows their needs before they ask. The cultural context of the time valued eloquence and lengthy orations, but this biblical instruction prioritizes sincerity and thoughtfulness. The call for few words is not a prohibition against prayer but an encouragement for meaningful and intentional communication with God.<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. His reflections in Ecclesiastes often focus on the meaning of life and the proper attitude toward God. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> - The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as being in heaven, emphasizing His sovereignty and the need for reverence in communication with Him. 3. <a href="/topical/h/heaven_and_earth.htm">Heaven and Earth</a> - These locations symbolize the vast difference between God's divine nature and human limitations, underscoring the need for humility in our approach to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/reverence_in_communication.htm">Reverence in Communication</a> Recognize the holiness and majesty of God when approaching Him in prayer. Our words should reflect a deep respect for His divine nature. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_silence.htm">The Value of Silence</a> Embrace the discipline of silence and reflection. In a world filled with noise, taking time to listen to God can lead to greater spiritual insight and growth. <a href="/topical/m/mindful_speech.htm">Mindful Speech</a> Practice mindfulness in your speech, especially in prayer. Consider the weight and intention behind your words, ensuring they align with God's will. <a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a> Acknowledge your position as a finite being before an infinite God. This humility should guide your interactions with Him, fostering a spirit of submission and trust.<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/how_does_'heaven'_fit_with_astronomy.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 says “God is in heaven,” but how does this reconcile with modern astronomy that finds no physical location called “heaven”? </a> <a href="/q/what_rewards_come_from_perseverance.htm">What does 'Every Spiritual Blessing' mean?</a> <a href="/q/who_qualifies_as_my_neighbor.htm">Is your will being done on earth as in heaven?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_accept_sacrifices.htm">If God is all-good, why does He accept human sacrifices in some cases (Judges 11:30-39)?</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>(2) Few.--<a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/7-14.htm" title="Use not many words in a multitude of elders, and make not much babbling when thou prayest.">Ecclesiasticus 7:14</a>; <a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/18-22.htm" title="Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.">Ecclesiasticus 18:22</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Koheleth warns against thoughtless words or hasty professions in prayer, which formed another feature of popular religion. Be not rash with thy mouth. The warning is against hasty and thoughtless words in prayer, words that go from the lips with glib facility, but come not from the heart. Thus our Lord bids those who pray not to use vain repetitions (μὴ βαττολογήσατε), as the heathen, who think to be heard for their much speaking (<a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a>). Jesus himself used the same words in his prayer in the garden, and he continually urges the lesson of much and constant prayer - a lessen enforced by apostolic admonitions (see <a href="/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5</a>, etc.; <a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a>); but it is quite possible to use the same words, and yet throw the whole heart into them each time that they are repeated. Whether the repetition is vain or not depends upon the spirit of the person who prays. Let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God. We should weigh well our wishes, arrange them discreetly, ponder whether they are such as we can rightly make subjects of petition, ere we lay them in words before the Lord. "Before God" may mean in the temple, the house of God, where he is specially present, as Solomon himself testified (<a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27, 30, 43</a>). God is in heaven. The infinite distance between God and man, illustrated by the contrast of earth and the illimitable heaven, is the ground of the admonition to reverence and thoughtfulness (comp. <a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3, 16</a>; <a href="/isaiah/4.htm">Isaiah 4</a>:8, 9; 66:1). Therefore let thy words be few, as becomes one who speaks in the awful presence of God. Ben-Sirs seems to have had this passage in mind when he writes (Ecclus. 7:14), "Prate not in a multitude of elders, and repeat not (μὴ δευτερώσης) the word in prayer." We may remember the conduct of the priests of Baal (<a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26</a>). Ginsburg and Wright quote the Talmudic precept ('Beraehoth,' 68. a), "Let the words of a man always be few in the presence of God, according as it is written," and then follows the passage in our text. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not be hasty תְּבַהֵ֨ל (tə·ḇa·hêl) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_926.htm">Strong's 926: </a> To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiously to עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against speak, פִּ֜יךָ (pî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to and do not let your heart וְלִבְּךָ֧ (wə·lib·bə·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre be אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not hasty יְמַהֵ֛ר (yə·ma·hêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4116.htm">Strong's 4116: </a> To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly to utter לְהוֹצִ֥יא (lə·hō·w·ṣî) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim a word דָבָ֖ר (ḏā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face God. הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (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 After all, כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction God הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים (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 is in heaven בַּשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ (baš·šā·ma·yim) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky and you וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you are on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against earth. הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land So עַֽל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against let your words דְבָרֶ֖יךָ (ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause be יִהְי֥וּ (yih·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be few. מְעַטִּֽים׃ (mə·‘aṭ·ṭîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> A little, fewness, a few <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:2 Don't be rash with your mouth (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:3" /></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>