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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 5:2–4

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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From verse 2

  1. Matthew 6:7Rank 1 from verse 2
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    7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

  2. Proverbs 10:19Rank 2 from verse 2
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    19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

  3. Isaiah 55:9Rank 3 from verse 2
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    9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

  4. Matthew 6:9Rank 4 from verse 2
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    9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

  5. Ecclesiastes 5:3Rank 5 from verse 2
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    3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

  6. Ecclesiastes 5:7Rank 6 from verse 2
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    7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

  7. Genesis 18:27Rank 7 from verse 2
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    27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

  8. Numbers 30:2–5Rank 8 from verse 2
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    2If 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.

    3If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth;

    4And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.

    5But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the Lord shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

  9. Genesis 28:20Rank 9 from verse 2
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    20And 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,

  10. James 3:2Rank 10 from verse 2
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    2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

  11. Proverbs 20:25Rank 11 from verse 2
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    25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.

  12. Psalms 115:3Rank 12 from verse 2
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    3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

  13. Genesis 18:32Rank 13 from verse 2
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    32And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

  14. Genesis 18:30Rank 14 from verse 2
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    30And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

  15. 1 Samuel 14:24–45Rank 15 from verse 2
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    24¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

    25And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.

    26And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

    27But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

    28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

    29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

    30How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

    31And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

    32And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

    33¶ Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.

    34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

    35And Saul built an altar unto the Lord: the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord.

    36¶ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

    37And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

    38And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

    39For, as the Lord liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

    40Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.

    41Therefore Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.

    42And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

    43Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.

    44And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

    45And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

  16. Judges 11:30Rank 16 from verse 2
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    30And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

  17. Genesis 28:22Rank 17 from verse 2
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    22And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

  18. Mark 6:23Rank 18 from verse 2
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    23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

From verse 3

  1. Proverbs 15:2Rank 1 from verse 3
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    2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

  2. Proverbs 10:19Rank 2 from verse 3
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    19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

  3. Ecclesiastes 10:12–14Rank 3 from verse 3
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    12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

    13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

    14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

  4. Job 11:2Rank 4 from verse 3
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    2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

From verse 4

  1. Numbers 30:2Rank 1 from verse 4
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    2If 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.

  2. Deuteronomy 23:21–23Rank 2 from verse 4
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    21¶ When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

    22But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

    23That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

  3. Psalms 76:11Rank 3 from verse 4
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    11Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

  4. Matthew 5:33Rank 4 from verse 4
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    33¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

  5. Psalms 66:13–14Rank 5 from verse 4
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    13I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

    14Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

  6. Psalms 50:14Rank 6 from verse 4
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    14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

  7. Psalms 119:106Rank 7 from verse 4
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    106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

  8. Hebrews 10:6Rank 8 from verse 4
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    6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

  9. Malachi 1:10Rank 9 from verse 4
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    10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

  10. Psalms 116:14Rank 10 from verse 4
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    14I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

  11. Psalms 147:10–11Rank 11 from verse 4
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    10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

    11The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

  12. Genesis 28:20Rank 12 from verse 4
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    20And 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,

  13. Jonah 2:9Rank 13 from verse 4
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    9But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

  14. Psalms 116:16–18Rank 14 from verse 4
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    16O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

    17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

    18I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people,

  15. Genesis 35:1Rank 15 from verse 4
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    1AND God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

  16. Isaiah 19:21Rank 16 from verse 4
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    21And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it.

  17. Genesis 35:3Rank 17 from verse 4
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    3And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:2

COMBINED MEANING

rash

↗

Hasty or acting without sufficient thought; spoken or done too quickly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

utter

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1. To speak, declare, or make known. 2. Outermost or complete.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:3

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dream

↗

Sense 1: Thoughts, images, or visions experienced in sleep. Sense 2: To experience images or thoughts in sleep, especially a vision in a dream.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 5:4

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

vowest

↗

Second-person singular present form of vow, meaning to bind oneself by such a promise.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vow

↗

Sense 1: A solemn promise made to God. Sense 2: To bind oneself by such a promise.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

defer

↗

To delay, postpone, put off, or withhold action until a later time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

pay

↗

To discharge a debt or obligation; to render what is due, fulfill a promise, reward, or recompense.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hast

↗

Sense 1: Have: possess, hold, receive, or experience. Sense 2: Used as an auxiliary verb.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

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5:1KEEP 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.

5:2Be 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.

Selected passage

5:3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

Selected passage

5:4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Selected passage

5:5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

5:6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

5:7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

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