Ecclesiastes 5:2 kjv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 nkjv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 niv
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 esv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 nlt
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.
Ecclesiastes 5 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 3:5 | Then He said, "Do not come near here... for the place where you are... holy." | God's holy presence demands reverence. |
| Lev 19:12 | You shall not swear falsely by My name... | Seriousness of vows made in God's name. |
| Deut 23:21-23 | When you make a vow to the Lord... you shall not delay to pay it... | Command to fulfill vows promptly. |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | "Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth..." | God hears arrogant speech and judges. |
| Pss 50:14 | Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. | Emphasizes offering vows and fulfilling them. |
| Pss 50:23 | "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me..." | God delights in true worship. |
| Pss 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart... | God values humble, sincere devotion. |
| Pss 66:13-14 | I will go into Your house with burnt offerings... I will pay You my vows... | Exemplifies bringing and fulfilling vows. |
| Pss 119:37 | Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things... | Calls for focus on God, not earthly vanity. |
| Prov 10:19 | In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. | Wisdom in controlling speech. |
| Prov 12:13 | The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips... | Consequences of unbridled speech. |
| Prov 13:3 | He who guards his mouth preserves his life... | Protecting oneself through wise speech. |
| Prov 15:28 | The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil things. | Contrasts careful speech with reckless speech. |
| Prov 29:20 | Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. | Hasty words indicate foolishness. |
| Isa 57:15 | For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity... "I dwell in the high and holy place..." | God's transcendence and holiness. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good... to walk humbly with your God. | Humility as a core aspect of relationship with God. |
| Matt 6:7 | And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do... | Condemns meaningless or excessive prayer. |
| Rom 12:3 | ...not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think... | Encourages humility in thought and action. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not the author of confusion but of peace... | Promotes order and thoughtful conduct in worship. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification... | Call for edifying speech, honoring God. |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... | All actions, including words, to honor God. |
| Jas 1:19-20 | So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath... | Wisdom in listening and restraining speech and anger. |
| Jas 3:2 | For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man... | The power and challenge of controlling speech. |
Ecclesiastes 5 verses
Ecclesiastes 5 2 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 5:2 urges profound reverence and careful deliberation when speaking to God. It admonishes against impulsive or ill-considered speech, particularly in the context of worship, prayer, or making vows. The verse underscores the vast qualitative difference between the transcendent God in heaven and the finite human on earth, thereby calling for humility and a conscious restraint of words in His presence. It teaches that thoughtful brevity, rather than a torrent of words, honors God.
Ecclesiastes 5 2 Context
Ecclesiastes 5:2 is part of a larger admonition (5:1-7) concerning proper conduct and reverence when approaching God, particularly within the context of temple worship, vows, and prayer. The Preacher (Qohelet) shifts from observations on worldly futility to practical advice for spiritual life. This section contrasts genuine piety with external, performative rituals, and foolish promises. Verse 1 encourages readiness to hear rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, which is likely a reference to thoughtless or ill-prepared offerings or words. Verse 2 then specifies the danger of "rash" words directed towards God, building on the idea that worship should be mindful. The broader historical and cultural context is ancient Israel, where the Temple played a central role in spiritual life, and vows were a serious, legally binding commitment made before God. Qohelet aims to teach his audience, and indeed all future readers, the profound respect due to the divine presence, challenging any notion that God can be manipulated by words or external acts alone.
Ecclesiastes 5 2 Word analysis
- Be not rash with your mouth: This phrase uses the Hebrew root maher (מַהֵר), meaning "to hasten," "to hurry," or "to act impetuously." It highlights the danger of speaking quickly or thoughtlessly without due consideration. It emphasizes a lack of control and wisdom in one's verbal expression towards God.
- nor let your heart be hasty: Parallel to "be not rash with your mouth," this emphasizes that the issue isn't just external utterance but also internal impulse. The Hebrew maher is again used, indicating that the heart (often understood as the seat of thought, will, and emotion in Hebrew thought) should not rush to form words or intentions directed towards God. A hasty heart leads to hasty words.
- to utter anything before God: "Utter" translates yatza (יָצָא), "to go out," "to proceed," or "to bring forth." "Before God" (lipnei ha'elohim) signifies the direct address to God, emphasizing His immediate presence and scrutiny. This points to the seriousness of any verbal interaction with the Creator, whether in prayer, praise, or especially a vow.
- for God is in heaven: This establishes God's absolute sovereignty, transcendence, and perfect knowledge. "Heaven" signifies God's dwelling place, far above human limitations and understanding, representing His supreme authority and otherness. This declaration sets the foundation for the caution advised in the verse.
- and you are on earth: This contrasts human finiteness, weakness, and limited perspective with God's infinitude. "Earth" represents the realm of humanity, subject to time, space, and fallenness. This stark contrast underscores the vast gulf between creature and Creator, demanding profound humility from the human speaker.
- therefore let your words be few: The "therefore" (כֵן - ken, "so" or "thus") introduces the direct logical conclusion of the preceding statements. Since God is transcendent and you are but an earthly being, speech to Him must be deliberate, reverent, and concise. "Few" (מְעַט - m'at) suggests quality over quantity, earnestness over eloquence, and truthfulness over volume. It promotes concise, weighty speech.
Words-group analysis:
- "Be not rash with your mouth nor let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God": This powerful double warning stresses both outward speech and inner thought, indicating that careless speech originates from an undisciplined mind and heart. The act of speaking before God is not a casual interaction but a profound spiritual engagement.
- "for God is in heaven and you are on earth": This foundational theological statement provides the reason for the instruction. It establishes a theological anthropology that grounds human piety in the cosmic order, highlighting the radical qualitative difference between God and humanity. This "vertical dimension" requires deep reverence.
- "therefore let your words be few": This serves as the practical imperative. It is the wisdom conclusion derived from understanding God's majesty and man's humility. This concise command embodies the essence of the Preacher's teaching on humble and wise communication with the divine.
Ecclesiastes 5 2 Bonus section
The context of Ecclesiastes 5:2 often points to the solemnity of vows in ancient Israel. Making a vow (neder in Hebrew) was a serious, binding commitment to God (Num 30:2; Deut 23:21). The "rash mouth" in this verse could specifically refer to making promises to God quickly without truly understanding the implications or having the intent to fulfill them. This would lead to broken promises, which are an affront to God.
Furthermore, this verse also has implications for the nature of prayer. It aligns with the New Testament teaching that prayer should be genuine and sincere, not an exercise in "vain repetitions" (Matt 6:7) or attempting to persuade God through sheer volume of words. True prayer flows from a humble heart acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His will, not from an attempt to impress Him or manipulate His hand through verbal artistry or length.
The imagery of "God in heaven" and "you on earth" is a significant literary device that establishes the ultimate hierarchy and power dynamic. It functions as a foundational theological statement underpinning the call for reverence. This wisdom, imparted by Qohelet, is timeless, teaching an essential posture of humility and respect in the human-divine relationship that remains relevant for believers today.
Ecclesiastes 5 2 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 5:2 is a profound instruction on the reverence due to God, particularly in one's communication with Him. It moves beyond superficial religious observance to the core of genuine piety. The Preacher warns against a common human failing: impetuous, ill-considered speech, especially when it takes the form of prayer, praise, or promises made to the Almighty. The phrase "be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty" implies that both external expression and internal intent must be guarded. Thoughtless words, springing from an unexamined heart, are displeasing to God and harmful to the speaker.
The reason given – "for God is in heaven and you are on earth" – is pivotal. It reminds us of God's transcendent holiness, infinite wisdom, and perfect knowledge, juxtaposed with humanity's limited, mortal, and fallen nature. This cosmic disparity calls for humility and sober reflection. God, being omnipresent and omniscient, hears every word and knows every thought; He cannot be fooled or manipulated by verbose or insincere utterances. Therefore, true worship and interaction with Him demand brevity, sincerity, and depth, not lengthy or empty words. This principle applies not just to formal worship or vow-making but to all prayer and personal address to God.
Practically, this verse cautions against making rash promises that cannot be kept, speaking idly or carelessly in prayer, or making superficial commitments to God. It encourages thoughtful consideration before speaking, recognizing the gravity of communicating with the divine. It emphasizes quality over quantity, reminding believers that a few heartfelt, reverent words are infinitely more pleasing to God than a multitude of unthinking ones. This is echoed throughout Scripture, where wisdom is often linked to controlled speech and the fear of the Lord to profound reverence.