Do not be quick to speakThis phrase emphasizes the importance of restraint in speech, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.
James 1:19 advises believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak," highlighting the wisdom in thoughtful communication. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, where oral tradition was significant, words held great power and were not to be used carelessly.
Proverbs 10:19 also warns that "when words are many, sin is not absent," underscoring the potential for error when speaking impulsively.
and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God
This part of the verse cautions against rash vows or promises made to God, a practice that was common in ancient religious contexts. In biblical history, vows were serious commitments (Numbers 30:2), and failing to fulfill them was considered sinful. The heart, often seen as the seat of intention and emotion, must be guarded to ensure sincerity and reverence in communication with the divine. Jesus, inMatthew 6:7, warns against "vain repetitions" in prayer, advocating for sincerity over verbosity.
For God is in heaven and you are on earth
This phrase establishes a clear distinction between the divine and human realms, emphasizing God's sovereignty and transcendence. It reflects the biblical worldview of God's omnipotence and omnipresence, as seen inIsaiah 55:8-9, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding. The geographical imagery of heaven and earth serves to remind believers of their humble position before an almighty God, encouraging a posture of humility and reverence.
So let your words be few
The conclusion of the verse advises brevity in speech, particularly in prayer and worship. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus inMatthew 6:7-8, where He instructs His followers not to babble like pagans, for God knows their needs before they ask. The cultural context of the time valued eloquence and lengthy orations, but this biblical instruction prioritizes sincerity and thoughtfulness. The call for few words is not a prohibition against prayer but an encouragement for meaningful and intentional communication with God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His reflections in Ecclesiastes often focus on the meaning of life and the proper attitude toward God.
2.
God- The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as being in heaven, emphasizing His sovereignty and the need for reverence in communication with Him.
3.
Heaven and Earth- These locations symbolize the vast difference between God's divine nature and human limitations, underscoring the need for humility in our approach to God.
Teaching Points
Reverence in CommunicationRecognize the holiness and majesty of God when approaching Him in prayer. Our words should reflect a deep respect for His divine nature.
The Value of SilenceEmbrace the discipline of silence and reflection. In a world filled with noise, taking time to listen to God can lead to greater spiritual insight and growth.
Mindful SpeechPractice mindfulness in your speech, especially in prayer. Consider the weight and intention behind your words, ensuring they align with God's will.
Humility Before GodAcknowledge your position as a finite being before an infinite God. This humility should guide your interactions with Him, fostering a spirit of submission and trust.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 5:2?
2.How does Ecclesiastes 5:2 advise us to approach prayer and speech with God?
3.Why is it important to "let your words be few" before God?
4.How can we apply "God is in heaven and you are on earth"?
5.What other scriptures emphasize the importance of thoughtful speech and humility?
6.How can Ecclesiastes 5:2 influence our daily communication with others and God?
7.What does Ecclesiastes 5:2 teach about the nature of God and human communication with Him?
8.How does Ecclesiastes 5:2 challenge our understanding of prayer and reverence?
9.Why does Ecclesiastes 5:2 emphasize the importance of few words before God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 5?
11.Ecclesiastes 5:2 says “God is in heaven,” but how does this reconcile with modern astronomy that finds no physical location called “heaven”?
12.What does 'Every Spiritual Blessing' mean?
13.Is your will being done on earth as in heaven?
14.If God is all-good, why does He accept human sacrifices in some cases (Judges 11:30-39)?What Does Ecclesiastes 5:2 Mean
Do not be quick to speak“Do not be quick with your mouth…”.
• The Teacher warns against rushing into speech, especially in worship and prayer. Words tumble out easily, but they carry weight before the LORD (Matthew 12:36).
•James 1:19 echoes the call: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”
•Proverbs 10:19 reminds us, “When words are many, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
• Slowness to speak cultivates humility; it signals that we value God’s voice above our own (Psalm 46:10).
do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God“…and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God.”
• Speech begins in the heart (Luke 6:45); hastiness there leads to careless prayer and rash vows (Judges 11:30-35).
•Psalm 19:14 prays, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD.” True worship starts with thoughtful, reverent meditation.
•1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” pressing us to guard inner motives before opening our lips.
For God is in heaven and you are on earth“For God is in heaven and you are on earth.”
• The distance highlights God’s transcendence and our finiteness (Isaiah 55:8-9). He sees all; we see in part (1 Corinthians 13:12).
• Recognizing His throne in heaven produces reverence, not casual chatter (Psalm 99:1-3).
•1 Chronicles 29:11 proclaims, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness…for all that is in heaven and on earth is Yours,” underscoring why we approach Him with awe.
So let your words be few“Therefore, let your words be few.”
• Fewer words foster sincerity. Jesus warned, “When you pray, do not babble on like the pagans” (Matthew 6:7).
• Ecclesiastes repeats the theme: “The more words, the more futility” (6:11). God hears the heart; He is not impressed by length.
• Practical applications:
– Pause before praying; consider what truly needs to be said.
– Speak plainly, trusting God already knows (Matthew 6:8).
– Allow silence in worship; listen for His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12).
summaryEcclesiastes 5:2 urges reverent restraint before the Almighty. Guard your mouth, examine your heart, remember His exalted place, and choose brief, sincere words. Such worship honors a holy God and keeps us anchored in humble dependence on Him.
(2)
Few.--Ecclesiasticus 7:14;
Ecclesiasticus 18:22.
Verse 2. - Koheleth warns against thoughtless words or hasty professions in prayer, which formed another feature of popular religion.
Be not rash with thy mouth. The warning is against hasty and thoughtless words in prayer, words that go from the lips with glib facility, but come not from the heart. Thus our Lord bids those who pray not to use vain repetitions (
μὴ βαττολογήσατε), as the heathen, who think to be heard for their much speaking (
Matthew 6:7). Jesus himself used the same words in his prayer in the garden, and he continually urges the lesson of much and constant prayer - a lessen enforced by apostolic admonitions (see
Luke 11:5, etc.;
Philippians 4:6;
1 Thessalonians 5:17); but it is quite possible to use the same words, and yet throw the whole heart into them each time that they are repeated. Whether the repetition is vain or not depends upon the spirit of the person who prays.
Let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God. We should weigh well our wishes, arrange them discreetly, ponder whether they are such as we can rightly make subjects of petition, ere we lay them in words before the Lord. "Before God" may mean in the temple, the house of God, where he is specially present, as Solomon himself testified (
1 Kings 8:27, 30, 43).
God is in heaven. The infinite distance between God and man, illustrated by the contrast of earth and the illimitable heaven, is the ground of the admonition to reverence and thoughtfulness (comp.
Psalm 115:3, 16;
Isaiah 4:8, 9; 66:1). Therefore let thy words be few, as becomes one who speaks in the awful presence of God. Ben-Sirs seems to have had this passage in mind when he writes (Ecclus. 7:14), "Prate not in a multitude of elders, and repeat not (
μὴδευτερώσης) the word in prayer." We may remember the conduct of the priests of Baal (
1 Kings 18:26). Ginsburg and Wright quote the Talmudic precept ('Beraehoth,' 68. a), "Let the words of a man always be few in the presence of God, according as it is written," and then follows the passage in our text.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notbe hastyתְּבַהֵ֨ל(tə·ḇa·hêl)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 926:To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiouslytoעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstspeak,פִּ֜יךָ(pî·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according toand do not let your heartוְלִבְּךָ֧(wə·lib·bə·ḵā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820:The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centrebeאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Nothastyיְמַהֵ֛ר(yə·ma·hêr)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4116:To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptlyto utterלְהוֹצִ֥יא(lə·hō·w·ṣî)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proxima wordדָבָ֖ר(ḏā·ḇār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causebeforeלִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceGod.הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeAfter all,כִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionGodהָאֱלֹהִ֤ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeis in heavenבַּשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙(baš·šā·ma·yim)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, skyand youוְאַתָּ֣ה(wə·’at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youare onעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstearth.הָאָ֔רֶץ(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landSoעַֽל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstlet your wordsדְבָרֶ֖יךָ(ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causebeיִהְי֥וּ(yih·yū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, befew.מְעַטִּֽים׃(mə·‘aṭ·ṭîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 4592:A little, fewness, a few
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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:2 Don't be rash with your mouth (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)