Ecclesiastes 5 6

Ecclesiastes 5:6 kjv

Suffer 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?

Ecclesiastes 5:6 nkjv

Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?

Ecclesiastes 5:6 niv

Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

Ecclesiastes 5:6 esv

Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

Ecclesiastes 5:6 nlt

Don't let your mouth make you sin. And don't defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 6 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:6 warns against making impulsive vows or promises to God and then neglecting or retracting them, specifically by claiming it was a mistake. It emphasizes the profound seriousness of speech made before the Almighty. To do so risks inciting God's wrath, which can lead to divine judgment affecting one's labors and overall well-being. It underscores that words spoken to God are not to be taken lightly and have significant spiritual and practical consequences.

Ecclesiastes 5 6 Context

Ecclesiastes 5:6 is part of a larger section (Eccl 5:1-7) dealing with proper conduct and reverence when approaching God, particularly in the context of worship and making vows in the Temple. The preceding verses (Eccl 5:1-5) caution against rash speech, many words, and delaying payment of vows. It contrasts the ideal of thoughtful, measured reverence for God with the folly of thoughtless declarations or unfulfilled promises. The overarching theme of Ecclesiastes is the "vanity" or "futility" (hebel) of all human endeavors "under the sun," highlighting that only a proper "fear of God" and obedience to His commands bring true meaning and satisfaction in a world often marked by unpredictable outcomes and injustice. This verse specifically grounds the principle of accountability for vows within that framework of reverence.

Ecclesiastes 5 6 Word analysis

• Do not let your mouth:
  • This phrase (אַל־תִּתֵּן אֶת־פִּיךָ, al-titten et-pīkha) acts as a strong prohibition, "do not give/allow your mouth."
  • Mouth (peh, פֶּה): More than just a physical opening, "mouth" in Hebrew thought often signifies speech, declaration, and source of intentions. Here, it refers to the act of speaking, especially making vows or rash statements. The warning is against unrestrained or thoughtless utterances, particularly those directed towards God.
• lead you into sin:
  • (takhti et-b'sarekha, תַּחֲטִא אֶת־בְּשָׂרֶךָ) - Literally, "cause your flesh to sin."
  • Sin (khata, חָטָא): To miss the mark, err, offend. The sin here is specifically against God by making an empty promise or neglecting a sacred vow.
  • Your flesh (basar, בָּשָׂר): In this context, it refers to oneself, the whole person. The consequence of letting the mouth be unrestrained is personal guilt and offense against God.
• and do not say before the messenger of God:
  • (v'al-tomer liphnēi ha-mal'akh, וְאַל־תֹּאמֶר לִפְנֵי הַמַּלְאָךְ) - A direct instruction "and do not say before the messenger."
  • Messenger of God (ha-mal'akh, הַמַּלְאָךְ): This is a pivotal term.
    • Likely refers to a priest in the temple: Priests were God's representatives on earth, administering vows, sacrifices, and judgments (Mal 2:7, Hag 1:13). They witnessed the vows and could record them. Confessing an unfulfilled vow as a "mistake" before a priest would be an attempt to excuse serious disobedience to God.
    • Alternatively, it could refer to an angel: Angels are divine messengers and observers of human conduct (Job 33:23). They witness every vow and its breaking, and report to God.
    • The broader significance is that words spoken to God have a divine witness; they are not private matters that can be casually dismissed.
• that it was a mistake:
  • (sh'gagah he?, שְׁגָגָה הִיא?) - "It is a mistake?"
  • Mistake (sh'gagah, שְׁגָגָה): An unintentional error, an oversight, often associated with a sin that could be atoned for with a specific sacrifice (Lev 4:2, Num 15:27-28). However, the context here suggests a deliberate attempt to retroactively characterize a willful omission or neglect of a vow as if it were unintentional. This false claim to "mistake" is itself an act of deception against God and His representative.
• Why should God be angry at your voice:
  • (v'la-mah yiqṣoph ha-'Elohim al-qōlekha, וְלָמָּה יִקְצֹף הָאֱלֹהִים עַל־קֹולֶךָ) - "Why should God rage/be wrathful concerning your voice?"
  • Angry (qatsaph, קָצַף): Signifies strong divine indignation or wrath, a serious consequence from God (e.g., Num 11:1, Josh 22:18).
  • Your voice (qolekha, קֹולֶךָ): Refers specifically to the uttered vow, the words of promise or commitment. God is angry not just at the broken vow, but at the voice that uttered it, now rendered faithless and hypocritical.
• and destroy the work of your hands?:
  • (v'chibel et-ma'aseh yadekha, וְחִבֵּל אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ) - "and ruin/spoil the work of your hands."
  • Destroy (chibel, חִבֵּל): To spoil, ruin, devastate. Implies a comprehensive destruction of efforts.
  • Work of your hands (ma'aseh yadekha, מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ): This encompasses one's labor, accomplishments, possessions, and prosperity derived from personal effort. The implication is that God, who controls all outcomes (Eccl 9:11), can withhold blessing and even bring calamity upon the very fruits of one's efforts as a consequence of spiritual dishonesty and disrespect.

Ecclesiastes 5 6 Bonus section

The context of Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 forms a cohesive unit stressing mindful and reverent behavior in worship. This passage contrasts with the earlier chapters that often highlight the futility of human endeavors. Here, Qoheleth suggests that while much "under the sun" is vain, one's interaction with God demands utmost seriousness. The advice in verse 6 serves as a safeguard for individuals to truly "fear God" (Eccl 5:7), by not giving Him a cause for anger. This practical wisdom provides a critical spiritual anchor amidst the often perplexing and unpredictable realities discussed elsewhere in the book. The principle resonates throughout Scripture: sincerity and truthfulness in one's relationship with God are paramount, transcending mere ritual or outward appearance.

Ecclesiastes 5 6 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:6 serves as a severe warning against treating vows and promises made to God lightly. The Preacher underscores that what is said with the mouth to the Almighty is heard, remembered, and held accountable. This isn't merely about legalistic adherence, but about a sincere fear and reverence for God's holiness and authority. To make a vow and then conveniently claim it was a "mistake" or thoughtless suggests a lack of seriousness and an attempt to deceive the omnipresent God, which is foolish and perilous. The "messenger of God" acts as a physical or spiritual witness to these words, emphasizing that our spiritual commitments are public matters in the eyes of Heaven.

The verse vividly paints the divine consequence: God's anger at such flippant attitudes, which results in the ruin of one's "work of hands." This implies that the blessings and prosperity in one's life—the very things people strive for "under the sun"—are contingent upon their fidelity to God, not just their diligence. God can actively negate human effort or remove His blessings when promises made to Him are disregarded. It teaches that spiritual integrity profoundly impacts material reality, cautioning against a compartmentalized view where one can disrespect God in spiritual matters without physical repercussions. Therefore, deliberate words of commitment to God demand careful thought, a sincere heart, and steadfast fulfillment.