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Ecclesiastes 5:7

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 5:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.
Ecclesiastes 5:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest.
5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that is was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
7For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.
8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.
9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field.
10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
← Ecclesiastes 5:6Ecclesiastes 5:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For in the multitude of dreams, and many words, [there are] also [divers] vanities, etc.] Or as, “in a multitude of dreams, [there are] many vanities, [so] also in a multitude of words”f117; as dreams are vain things, or there are abundance of vain things that come into the mind in dreams; so vain and idle are the many excuses which are made for the nonperformance of vows; or there are many vain things which are uttered in making of them, or in long prayers to God; or in discourses concerning him; to all which is opposed the fear of God; but fear thou God; give no heed to dreams, nor to the many words of men, which are vain and foolish; but keep close to the word of God, and worship him…”
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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
“(See on Ecc 5:3). God's service, which ought to be our chief good, becomes by "dreams" (foolish fancies as of God's requirements of us in worship), and random "words," positive "vanity." The remedy is, whatever fools may do, "Fear thou God" (Ecc 12:13).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For ... vanities - Or, For so it happens through many dreams and vanities and many words. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“For - There is a great deal of folly, as in multitude of dreams, which for the most part are vain and insignificant, so also in many words, in making many vows whereby a man is exposed to many snares and temptations. But - Fear the wrath of God, and therefore be sparing in making vows, and just in performing them. Ecclesiastes 5:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:7 Fear God: Reverence for God is the foundation for worthwhile words and useful activities (see 12:1; Prov 1:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in the: Ecc 5:3; Mat 12:36 but: Ecc 7:18, Ecc 8:12, Ecc 12:13; Pro 23:17; Isa 50:10, Isa 50:11 Ecclesiastes 5:8”
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Related study paths

Read Ecclesiastes 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification