Ecclesiastes 5:2

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 5:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God, etc.] In private conversation care should be taken that no rash and unadvised words be spoken in haste, as were by Moses and David; and that no evil, nor even any idle word he uttered, since from, the abundance of the heart the mouth is apt to speak, and all is before, the Lord; not a word in the tongue but is altogether known by him, and must be accounted for to him, (<19A633>Psalm 106:33 116:11 139:4 <401234> Matthew 12:34-37). Jerom interprets this of words spoken concerning God; and careful men should be of what they say of him, of his nature and perfections, of his persons, and of his works;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“rash--opposed to the considerate reverence ("keep thy foot," Ecc 5:1). This verse illustrates Ecc 5:1, as to prayer in the house of God ("before God," Isa 1:12); so Ecc 5:4-6 as to vows. The remedy to such vanities is stated (Ecc 5:6). "Fear thou God." God is in heaven--Therefore He ought to be approached with carefully weighed words, by thee, a frail creature of earth.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Rash - Speak not without due consideration. To utter - Either in prayer, or vows. For God - Is a God of infinite majesty, holiness, and knowledge. Thy words - Either in prayer or in vowing. Ecclesiastes 5:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not rash: Gen 18:27, Gen 18:30, Gen 18:32, Gen 28:20, Gen 28:22; Num 30:2-5; Jdg 11:30; 1Sam. 14:24-45; Mar 6:23 thing: or, word for: Psa 115:3; Isa 55:9; Mat 6:9, let thy , Ecc 5:3, Ecc 5:7; Pro 10:19; Mat 6:7; Jam 3:2 Ecclesiastes 5:3”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"Be not hasty with thy mouth, and let not thy heart hasten to speak a word before God: for God is in heaven, and thou art upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. For by much business cometh dreaming, and by much talk the noise of fools." As we say in German: auf Flgeln fliegen \[to flee on wings\], auf Einem Auge nicht sehen \[not to see with one eye\], auf der Flte blasen \[to blow on the flute\], so in Heb. we say that one slandereth with (auf) his tongue ( Psa 15:3), or, as here, that he hasteth with his mouth, i.e., is forward with his mouth, inasmuch as the word goes before the thought. It is the same usage as when the post-bibl. Heb., in contradistinction to התורה שׁבּכתב, the law…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification