Ecclesiastes 5:1 kjv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 nkjv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 niv
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 esv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 nlt
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.
Ecclesiastes 5 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 15:22 | Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying...? To obey is better than sacrifice... | Obedience over sacrifice |
| Ps 40:6-8 | In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted... I delight to do your will, O my God... | Desire for obedience, not just ritual |
| Ps 50:7-15 | Hear, O my people, and I will speak... I will not reprove you for your sacrifices... for every beast of the forest is mine... | God values heart over external offerings |
| Ps 51:16-17 | For you will not delight in sacrifice... The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart... | God desires contrite heart, not mere ritual |
| Prov 21:27 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent? | Evil motive spoils offering |
| Isa 1:11-17 | "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?... I have had enough... learn to do good..." | God rejects ritual without righteousness |
| Isa 29:13 | "Because this people draw near with their mouth... while their hearts are far from me... their fear of me is a commandment taught by men..." | Lip service vs. heart devotion |
| Jer 7:21-23 | Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices... For... I did not speak to them... concerning burnt offerings... but this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice...’" | Obedience prioritised over ritual |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. | Steadfast love & knowledge over sacrifice |
| Mic 6:6-8 | "With what shall I come before the Lord...?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Right conduct and heart over mere offerings |
| Mal 1:10 | "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the temple doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!" | Rejection of meaningless worship |
| Mt 9:13 | "Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’" | Mercy (love/compassion) above ritual |
| Mt 15:8-9 | "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’" | Superficial worship denounced |
| Mk 12:33 | And to love him with all the heart... is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. | Love and heart devotion above ritual |
| Lk 11:42 | "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe... and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done..." | Prioritising justice and love over legalism |
| Jn 4:23-24 | "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." | True worship is internal and truthful |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers... to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | Living sacrifice as true spiritual worship |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace... | Drawing near with right posture and purpose |
| Heb 10:22 | let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience... | Drawing near with true heart and clean conscience |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. | Spiritual sacrifices over animal ones |
| Jas 1:22-25 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves... | Hearing and doing God's Word |
| Jas 2:19 | You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! | Belief alone is insufficient without action |
Ecclesiastes 5 verses
Ecclesiastes 5 1 Meaning
This verse exhorts the worshipper to approach God's house with reverence and thoughtful circumspection, valuing sincere attentiveness and a willing heart over the mindless and foolish performance of religious rites. It emphasizes that a disposition to truly listen and obey God's Word is far superior to offering sacrifices that stem from ignorance or an improper heart, which God regards as evil, even if the practitioners are unaware of their offense.
Ecclesiastes 5 1 Context
Ecclesiastes, a book of wisdom, reflects on the apparent futility and enigma of life "under the sun"—from a human perspective that often overlooks or minimizes divine sovereignty. Qoheleth, the Preacher, examines various aspects of human endeavor, pleasure, wisdom, wealth, and toil, repeatedly concluding their vanity. Chapter 5 begins a new segment focusing on practical wisdom concerning our relationship with God and proper conduct. After observing the injustices and futility in society (Ecc 3:16-4:16), Qoheleth turns to the crucial matter of how one should approach divine worship. This verse serves as a direct counsel, addressing the very real temptation for people in ancient Israel, as well as in all ages, to perform religious duties mechanically without true understanding or sincere devotion, contrasting the value of internal heart disposition with external religious observance.
Ecclesiastes 5 1 Word analysis
- Guard: (שְׁמֹר, shəmor), an imperative meaning "watch," "be careful," or "preserve." It implies an active, diligent, and mindful approach, suggesting deliberate circumspection and prudence.
- Your steps: (רַגְלְךָ, ragleḵā), literally "your foot" or "your going." This refers to one's conduct, behavior, and the overall manner and attitude when engaging in a significant act, particularly entering a sacred space.
- When you go: This phrase (בְּלֶכְתֶּךָ, beleḵteḵā) highlights the moment of intention and action, emphasizing the preparation and mindfulness required even before entering the place of worship.
- To the house of God: (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, bêt hāʾĕlōhîm), referring to the Temple or any designated place of divine worship. This term underscores the sacredness and awe associated with God's dwelling, demanding reverence and respect.
- To draw near to listen: (קָרֹב לִשְׁמֹעַ, qarov lishmo'a) a pivotal phrase. "Draw near" (קָרֹב, qarov) signifies approaching with purpose, not casually. "To listen" (לִשְׁמֹעַ, lishmo'a) implies attentive hearing leading to understanding and, critically, obedience (as in Shema Yisrael). This emphasizes that the primary purpose of approaching God's house is to receive and comply with His word.
- Is better: (טוֹב, ṭov), a clear statement of preference, indicating a qualitative superiority. Qoheleth consistently evaluates what is "better" throughout the book, often prioritizing wisdom, sincerity, and eternal values.
- Than to offer: (מִתֵּת, mitet), refers to the act of giving or presenting.
- The sacrifice: (זֶבַח, zevach), an offering, typically animal, given in worship or atonement, a central ritual in Israelite religion.
- Of fools: (הַכְּסִילִים, hakkəsîlîm), literally "the fools." In biblical wisdom literature, a "fool" (כְּסִיל, kesil) is not merely unintelligent, but morally deficient, stubbornly resistant to wisdom, reckless, and devoid of discernment, especially regarding divine matters.
- For they do not know: (כִּי אֵינָם יוֹדְעִים, ki einam yode'im), indicates a profound lack of perception or understanding.
- That they are doing evil: (לַעֲשׂוֹת רָע, la'asot ra') The shocking conclusion is that their misguided religious actions, performed out of foolishness, are actually considered "evil" or "harmful" by God. This implies profound spiritual blindness or willful ignorance of God's true requirements.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Guard your steps when you go to the house of God: This opening admonition sets a serious tone for approaching divine presence. It highlights that worship is not casual; it demands self-awareness, careful consideration of one's inner state, and deliberate preparation, implying reverence for God and His dwelling place.
- To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools: This presents a profound spiritual truth, elevating the act of humble, receptive listening and obedience above external, ritualistic performance. It critiques mechanical or presumptuous worship, emphasizing the internal disposition of the worshiper over the outward form. The contrast starkly distinguishes genuine devotion from empty ritual.
- For they do not know that they are doing evil: This provides the somber justification for why the fools' sacrifices are rejected. Their actions, despite outward religious appearance, are seen as harmful because they stem from a lack of true understanding or spiritual discernment. It points to a dangerous self-deception or a complete ignorance of what constitutes true worship in God's eyes.
Ecclesiastes 5 1 Bonus section
The warning in Ecclesiastes 5:1 also implicitly serves as a counter-polemic against the superficial religious practices that might have been prevalent in Qoheleth's time. In many ancient Near Eastern cultures, religion often involved elaborate rituals and sacrifices meant to appease gods or gain favor, often without deep personal devotion. Qoheleth, steeped in Israelite wisdom tradition, pushes back against such a mechanical understanding of faith, aligning with prophetic voices that consistently called Israel to genuine righteousness and a heart for God rather than mere external conformity. This verse teaches that God's presence demands not only physical proximity but spiritual alignment, making personal integrity and obedience paramount to any ceremonial act. The phrase "doing evil" also points to a principle throughout the Bible: profound spiritual ignorance in matters of worship can lead one into sin, even unwittingly. It's a sobering reminder that sincerity alone, if uninformed by divine truth, can lead one astray.
Ecclesiastes 5 1 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 5:1 serves as a critical injunction against thoughtless and ritualistic worship, underscoring the foundational importance of a reverent and listening heart in the presence of God. The Preacher warns against the prevalent danger of reducing religious practice to mere outward show or mechanical offerings, contrasting such behavior with genuine piety. The emphasis is shifted from the quantity or form of the sacrifice to the quality of the worshiper's heart and attitude. True worship begins with guarding one's steps—being careful, deliberate, and intentional in one's approach to the sacred. This means a preparedness to humility and attentiveness to God's word rather than presumptuously offering empty rites. The "sacrifice of fools" represents an act born of spiritual ignorance, self-righteousness, or a shallow understanding of God's character. Such actions, though outwardly pious, are spiritually offensive because they reveal a heart disconnected from God's true desire: not blind obedience or appeasement, but sincere communion, obedience, and heartfelt devotion. The concluding statement, that these fools "do not know that they are doing evil," highlights a terrifying spiritual blindness—performing what they believe to be good, yet in God's sight, it is actually an act of rebellion due to their underlying foolishness and lack of proper understanding of Him.