Ecclesiastes 5:4 kjv
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 nkjv
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed?
Ecclesiastes 5:4 niv
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 esv
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 nlt
When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.
Ecclesiastes 5 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 23:21 | "When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it..." | Direct command to not delay in paying vows. |
| Deut 23:22 | "But if you refrain from vowing, it will not be sin for you." | Highlights that vows are voluntary but binding once made. |
| Num 30:2 | "If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath... he shall not break his word..." | Emphasizes the unalterable nature of a vow or oath. |
| Ps 66:13-14 | "I will come into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows which my lips uttered..." | Example of personal commitment to fulfilling vows. |
| Ps 76:11 | "Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all who are around Him bring gifts..." | General exhortation to make and fulfill vows. |
| Prov 20:25 | "It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows." | Caution against making rash or ill-considered vows. |
| Nahum 1:15 | "Keep your feasts, fulfill your vows..." | Prophetic injunction linking worship with vow fulfillment. |
| 1 Sam 1:11 | "...and she made a vow, saying, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your servant..." | Example of a specific vow made in prayer. |
| Judges 11:30-31 | "And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, 'If You will indeed give the Ammonites into my hand...'" | Illustrates the serious, sometimes tragic, consequences of vows. |
| Ps 15:4 | "He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at interest..." | Defines righteous character by keeping promises even at personal cost. |
| Prov 12:22 | "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." | Broader principle of truthfulness and faithfulness aligning with God's nature. |
| Mal 1:14 | "Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock and vows to offer it, but sacrifices a blemished thing..." | God's displeasure with those who try to deceive or cheat on vows. |
| Matt 23:16-22 | "...Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing...’" | Jesus' rebuke of religious hypocrisy regarding oaths and their binding nature. |
| Ps 14:1 | "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds..." | Broader biblical definition of a "fool" as morally perverse and ungodly. |
| Prov 10:23 | "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding." | Characteristics of a fool who takes serious matters lightly. |
| Acts 5:1-11 | "But a certain man named Ananias... with the consent of his wife Sapphira, kept back part of the proceeds..." | Divine judgment for dishonesty with God regarding a committed gift. |
| Heb 6:13-18 | "For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself..." | God's faithfulness to His oath as a model and assurance. |
| Matt 5:33-37 | "But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all... Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’..." | New Covenant teaching encouraging integrity to make oaths unnecessary. |
| James 5:12 | "But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth... but let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no..." | Apostolic teaching on plain, truthful speech instead of oaths. |
| Eccl 8:5 | "He who keeps a command will experience no evil thing..." | Connects obedience to God's directives with well-being. |
| Lev 27:2 | "Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: 'When a man makes a special vow to the Lord by solemn dedication of a person...'" | Laws pertaining to various types of vows, illustrating their commonality. |
Ecclesiastes 5 verses
Ecclesiastes 5 4 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 5:4 instructs that when one makes a solemn promise or pledge to God, it must be fulfilled promptly without delay. It emphasizes that God takes no delight in those who act foolishly by making vows lightly or failing to honor them, concluding with a direct command to perform what has been vowed. This verse underscores the critical importance of integrity and seriousness in one's commitments made before the divine.
Ecclesiastes 5 4 Context
Ecclesiastes 5:4 is part of a larger section (5:1-7) dedicated to reverent conduct in the presence of God. This passage provides practical wisdom regarding worship, warning against foolish and rash behavior. The Preacher (Qoheleth) cautions against approaching God with many words but little thought, and against making impulsive or insincere vows. He advises that one should be "slow to speak" and "quick to hear" (Eccl 5:1), contrasting the sincerity and diligence that God requires with the flippant attitudes of "fools" who are prone to making empty promises.
Within the broader context of Ecclesiastes, the book explores the meaning and purpose of life "under the sun"—from a human perspective, often highlighting the futility or "hebel" of worldly pursuits and endeavors. Yet, amid this reflection on vanity, the book repeatedly draws attention to the ultimate importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments (Eccl 12:13-14). This specific verse aligns with this overarching message, urging ethical conduct and sincere devotion as a counterpoint to life's seeming meaninglessness, acknowledging ultimate accountability to a righteous God. Historically, vows were a common and serious part of Israelite religious life, making instructions regarding their proper observance highly relevant for the original audience.
Ecclesiastes 5 4 Word Analysis
When you vow a vow to God,
- vow (verb): נָדַר (nadar) – "to make a vow," "to promise." In biblical usage, a vow was a voluntary, self-imposed commitment or promise made to God, often involving an offering, an act of service, or an abstention, which became binding once spoken. It differs from a divine commandment because it originates from human initiative.
- vow (noun): נֶדֶר (neder) – "a vow," "a promised offering." This repetition ("vow a vow") intensifies the commitment, emphasizing the solemnity and gravity of the personal pledge.
- to God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) – The standard Hebrew term for God, indicating the recipient of the vow. This stresses that the commitment is not merely a human promise but one made directly to the Divine Sovereign, invoking His authority and observation, making its fulfillment a matter of direct divine accountability and honor.
do not delay paying it;
- delay: אֵחַר (ʾacẖar) – "to tarry," "to linger," "to defer," "to hold back." This injunction emphasizes promptness. Delay in fulfilling a vow can indicate insincerity, a lack of reverence, forgetfulness, or even an attempt to renege on the commitment, all of which dishonor God. It shows that one does not consider God's timing or expectations important.
- paying it: שָׁלֵם (shalem) – "to make complete," "to perform," "to fulfill," "to repay." This term refers to the full execution and performance of the vowed obligation, restoring integrity to the spoken word. The complete and timely payment demonstrates faithfulness.
for He takes no pleasure in fools.
- He takes no pleasure: חֵפֶץ (cẖefets) – "delight," "desire," "pleasure," "inclination." This signifies God's complete lack of favorable disposition or delight in the actions of such individuals. God's attitude is one of disfavor or strong disapproval.
- fools: כְּסִילִים (kesilim) – Plural of כְּסִיל (kesil). In Old Testament wisdom literature (like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes), a "kesil" is not merely intellectually unintelligent, but morally and spiritually deficient. Such a person is reckless, stubborn, resistant to wisdom or instruction, self-deceived, and shows a profound disregard for divine principles, living as if God's standards do not matter. In this context, the fool is characterized by making serious promises to God lightly and failing to uphold them.
Pay what you vow.
- This phrase acts as a powerful summary and re-iteration of the primary command. The imperative, almost terse, nature emphasizes the seriousness and non-negotiability of the principle: simply, honor your word to God. This direct injunction cuts through any excuses for delaying or avoiding the vow.
Ecclesiastes 5 4 Bonus Section
- The binding nature of vows was a significant aspect of ancient Israelite life, with explicit laws concerning them (e.g., Num 30). This demonstrates that God viewed human vows seriously and expected them to be upheld.
- While Ecclesiastes stresses keeping vows, later New Testament teaching (Matt 5:33-37, James 5:12) advises against taking oaths or making vows entirely, encouraging that believers' "yes" be simply "yes" and their "no" be "no." This represents a progression in understanding: Old Testament commanded integrity if vows were made; New Testament encourages such integrity in speech and action that formal oaths become unnecessary, indicating an even higher standard of truthfulness and reliance on God.
- The phrase "he takes no pleasure in fools" suggests a divine attribute: God is not simply passively observing but actively disapproving of such behavior, signifying His moral character and His standard for righteousness.
Ecclesiastes 5 4 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 5:4 serves as a potent piece of practical wisdom for religious conduct. It underscores that interacting with the Holy God is not to be taken lightly. A vow is not an impulsive utterance but a binding agreement made directly to the Almighty. The emphasis on "no delay" highlights the need for immediate and complete fulfillment, demonstrating a heart of sincerity, reverence, and integrity. Procrastination or neglect of a vow implies that God's pleasure and one's own commitment are trivial. God's disdain for "fools" in this context reflects His character as a God of truth and faithfulness who expects integrity from His people. Those who vow and fail to perform reveal a deep spiritual foolishness, showing a lack of reverence for the Lord, and disregarding the solemnity of promises made in His presence. Thus, this verse admonishes all who make commitments to God to approach such matters with careful thought, deep reverence, and unwavering diligence, ensuring their deeds perfectly align with their words.