Ecclesiastes 5:5 kjv
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 nkjv
Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 niv
It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 esv
It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 nlt
It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
Ecclesiastes 5 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 23:21 | "When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the LORD your God will surely require it of you..." | Timely payment of vows required |
| Deut 23:22 | "But if you refrain from vowing, it shall be no sin in you." | No sin in not vowing |
| Deut 23:23 | "That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform..." | Keep your spoken word |
| Num 30:2 | "If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some pledge, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth." | Do not break your word in a vow |
| Ps 76:11 | "Make vows to the LORD your God and perform them; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared." | Perform vows to God |
| Prov 20:25 | "It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows." | Danger of rash vows |
| Prov 21:3 | "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." | Action over mere ritual |
| Matt 5:33-37 | "But I say to you, do not swear at all... Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" | Caution against oaths, simple truthfulness |
| Jas 5:12 | "But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’..." | Plain truthfulness is sufficient |
| Ecc 5:4 | "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." | Precedes and strengthens 5:5's message |
| Ps 50:14-15 | "Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." | Thanksgiving linked to paying vows |
| Ps 66:13-14 | "I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows, Which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble." | Paying vows for deliverance |
| Isa 66:3 | "He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck... They have chosen their own ways..." | God dislikes insincere or empty worship |
| Hos 6:6 | "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." | Obedience and knowledge over ritual |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Right living over empty offerings |
| Mal 1:14 | "But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow and sacrifices to the Lord a blemished thing..." | Cursing those who break vows and offer ill |
| Ps 15:4 | "...He who swears to his own hurt and does not change..." | Integrity in oaths, even at cost |
| Prov 11:3 | "The integrity of the upright will guide them..." | Integrity guides one |
| Tit 1:2 | "...God, who cannot lie..." | God's character of truthfulness |
| Heb 6:18 | "...it is impossible for God to lie..." | God's immutability in truthfulness |
| Prov 16:3 | "Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established." | Deliberate planning and commitment |
Ecclesiastes 5 verses
Ecclesiastes 5 5 Meaning
Ecclesiastes 5:5 teaches that it is far better to refrain from making a solemn promise or oath to God than to make such a vow and subsequently fail to fulfill it. The verse highlights the gravity and sanctity of pledges made before the Divine, emphasizing integrity and sincerity over a superficial display of piety.
Ecclesiastes 5 5 Context
Ecclesiastes chapter 5 opens with practical wisdom concerning conduct in the house of God (Ecc 5:1-7). The Preacher advises against thoughtless or rash words before God, emphasizing attentiveness, reverence, and sincerity in worship. This includes caution regarding the making of vows. In ancient Israel, vows were solemn promises made to God, often concerning an offering, a period of abstinence, or a specific action, usually in return for divine favor or as an act of devotion. They were considered legally and religiously binding (e.g., Hannah's vow in 1 Sam 1). Verse 5:5 fits squarely within this counsel, highlighting the dangers and severe implications of not fulfilling such sacred commitments, linking it to the concept of "fools" mentioned in 5:4 who displease God with their empty pledges. The overall theme is about proper fear and reverence before God, especially in one's verbal commitments.
Ecclesiastes 5 5 Word analysis
It is better: The Hebrew word is ṭôḇ (ט֖וֹב). While it literally means "good," in this comparative construction, it signifies "preferable," "more advantageous," or "wiser." It sets up a strong ethical and practical standard, suggesting one path is superior and less problematic than the alternative. This "good" is not merely beneficial, but morally upright in the eyes of God.
not to vow: The Hebrew is mishshalo (מִשְׁלֹ֥א) followed by tin'dōr (תִּדֹּֽר), from the root nadar (נָדַר), meaning "to vow," "to make a promise," or "to pledge" to God. The negative "not" implies caution and restraint. It is not a prohibition against vows in general, which were permissible under the Mosaic Law, but a wise admonition against making them casually or unnecessarily. It implies humility and foresight.
than to vow: This is the second part of the comparison, using min'dor (מִנְדֹּ֥ר) – from the root nadar (נָדַר) again. It refers to the act of making the vow itself. The structure of the verse clearly juxtaposes the initial act of vowing against the potential for failure.
and not pay: The Hebrew v’lo shallēm (וְלֹא־שַׁלֵּֽם׃) means "and not fulfill" or "and not complete." The word shallēm (שַׁלֵּם) here is derived from the root shalem (שָׁלֵם), meaning "to be complete," "to pay," "to restore," or "to fulfill." This emphasizes the obligation to complete the promise. Failure to "pay" implies a breach of trust, an insult to God's holiness, and a serious lapse in integrity. It speaks to the absolute necessity of completing what was pledged.
"It is better not to vow than to vow": This phrase highlights the profound ethical dilemma. The choice between abstaining and acting carries significant weight. Abstinence from a vow prevents the possibility of a broken promise to God. The very act of vowing brings forth a serious obligation, which if not fulfilled, carries grave spiritual consequences. It demonstrates God’s prioritization of sincere obedience over ostentatious yet empty religious practices.
"than to vow and not pay": This second clause identifies the problematic behavior. It is the combination of the solemn act of vowing and the subsequent failure to complete or fulfill it that is severely condemned. Such an action demonstrates a lack of integrity, reverence, and understanding of the nature of the sacred covenant with God. This failure indicates rashness or a disingenuous heart before God.
Ecclesiastes 5 5 Bonus section
The profound counsel of Ecclesiastes 5:5 resonates with the later teachings of the New Testament. While not explicitly prohibiting vows (Paul took one in Acts 18:18), the Lord Jesus Christ and James significantly elevated the standard of speech, often making elaborate vows and oaths unnecessary (Matt 5:33-37; Jas 5:12). This teaching asserts that the truthfulness and sincerity of a believer's simple "yes" or "no" should be so strong that no elaborate vow or oath is required. This aligns perfectly with the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, preferring simple integrity over potentially broken, elaborate promises. The implicit lesson in Ecclesiastes 5:5 is a call for complete transparency and consistency between one's words and actions, a foundational aspect of character for anyone who fears God. It implies that true worship is not in the spoken vow, but in the faithful execution of one's word before God and man.
Ecclesiastes 5 5 Commentary
Ecclesiastes 5:5 stands as a profound warning regarding the seriousness of our words spoken before God. It does not condemn vows themselves, which were a legitimate form of worship in Israel, but rather the cavalier attitude some adopted toward them. The verse cuts through external religiosity, asserting that the sincerity and integrity of a person are paramount to God. It underscores that God values truthfulness and fulfillment far more than empty declarations or superficial displays of piety. To make a vow is to enter into a binding commitment with the Most High, a being who is truth itself and who expects integrity from His creation. Failure to pay a vow is thus a profound insult, indicative of foolishness and a disregard for divine holiness, ultimately displeasing to God. Therefore, true wisdom dictates prudence and humility: if one cannot or does not intend to fulfill a pledge, it is far more virtuous and pleasing to God to simply not make the vow in the first place.
Practical examples:
- Church membership pledges: Vowing to serve in a specific capacity or give a certain amount, then neglecting it. It's better not to pledge than to make an empty promise.
- Baptism/Confirmation vows: Professing faith and commitment to Christ's teachings, but then living contrary lives. The outward act means little without inner sincerity and ongoing effort to live by the commitment.
- New Year's resolutions to God: Promising to read the Bible daily or pray more consistently, then abandoning the resolution within weeks. It's wiser to pursue a genuine spiritual discipline without a solemn "vow" unless truly committed to following through.