As a dream comes through many caresThis phrase suggests that dreams are often a result of the multitude of concerns and anxieties that occupy a person's mind. In the biblical context, dreams were sometimes seen as messages from God, as in the cases of Joseph (
Genesis 37:5-10) and Daniel (
Daniel 2:19). However, this verse implies that not all dreams are divine revelations; many are simply the byproduct of daily stress and preoccupations. The Hebrew culture placed significant importance on dreams, yet this passage offers a more pragmatic view, acknowledging the human tendency to be overwhelmed by life's worries. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 6:34, where He advises against being anxious about tomorrow.
so the speech of a fool comes with many words
This part of the verse draws a parallel between the multitude of dreams and the excessive words of a fool. In biblical literature, a fool is often characterized by a lack of wisdom and discernment, as seen inProverbs 10:19, which warns that "when words are many, sin is not absent." The cultural context of ancient Israel valued wisdom and brevity in speech, as exemplified by the wise sayings of Solomon. The New Testament echoes this sentiment inJames 1:19, advising believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak." The comparison suggests that just as dreams can be meaningless, so too can the verbose speech of a fool lack substance and insight. This serves as a caution against the dangers of speaking without thought or purpose, highlighting the value of measured and thoughtful communication.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.
2.
Israel- The nation to which Solomon belonged and over which he reigned. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of Ecclesiastes.
3.
The Fool- A recurring character in wisdom literature, representing someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often characterized by excessive talking and lack of discernment.
Teaching Points
The Burden of Many CaresDreams often arise from the multitude of our concerns and anxieties. This suggests that our preoccupations can manifest in our subconscious, indicating the need to manage our worries through prayer and trust in God.
The Folly of Excessive WordsJust as dreams can be a product of many cares, a fool's voice is characterized by an abundance of words. This teaches the importance of thoughtful speech and the wisdom of listening more than speaking.
Wisdom in SilenceThe verse encourages believers to practice restraint in speech, valuing silence and contemplation over the noise of many words. This aligns with the biblical principle of being slow to speak.
Discernment in CommunicationBelievers are called to discernment in their communication, ensuring that their words are edifying and purposeful, rather than empty and excessive.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 5:3?
2.How does Ecclesiastes 5:3 warn against speaking without thoughtful consideration in prayer?
3.What connection exists between "many cares" and "dreams" in Ecclesiastes 5:3?
4.How can we apply Ecclesiastes 5:3 to our daily communication with others?
5.Compare Ecclesiastes 5:3 with Proverbs 10:19 on the importance of measured speech.
6.How can Ecclesiastes 5:3 guide us in managing our thoughts and words?
7.What does Ecclesiastes 5:3 mean by "a dream comes through many cares"?
8.How does Ecclesiastes 5:3 relate to the concept of human ambition?
9.Why does Ecclesiastes 5:3 warn against "many words"?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 5?
11.What does the Bible say about excessive talking?
12.What is the Bible's perspective on daydreaming?
13.In Job 33:15–16, how does the claim that God instructs people through dreams hold up against modern psychological research on dreaming?
14.Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 exhorts swift fulfillment of vows, yet Matthew 5:34-37 warns against making vows--how is this not a contradiction?What Does Ecclesiastes 5:3 Mean
As a dream comes through many cares• “For a dream comes with much activity…” (Ecclesiastes 5:3a). Solomon pictures an anxious sleeper whose mind churns all night. The more cares he carries, the more restless and fragmented his dreams become.
• Life’s pressures do not stay neatly contained; they overflow.Proverbs 12:25 observes, “Anxiety weighs down the heart.” Jesus likewise notes that life’s worries choke spiritual growth (Luke 8:14).
• The point: internal overload inevitably surfaces. Just as cares spill into dreams, hidden turmoil spills into conduct. Our private burdens cannot be ignored; they demand surrender to God (Psalm 55:22;1 Peter 5:7).
so the speech of a fool comes with many words• “…and a fool’s voice with many words” (Ecclesiastes 5:3b). An unwise person vents whatever swirls inside, piling up speech without restraint.
•Proverbs 10:19 cautions, “When words are many, sin is unavoidable,” whileProverbs 17:27 praises the one who “restrains his words.” The fool does neither.
• Jesus warns that “for every careless word people speak, they will give an account on the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Endless talk reveals a heart lacking reverence.
• Instead, Scripture calls us to “be swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19) and to let our words be “few” in God’s presence (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
summaryLike an overworked mind producing restless dreams, an overfull heart produces reckless speech. Excessive talking exposes folly and invites sin, while measured words reflect trust in the Lord. Hand your cares to God, quiet your tongue, and honor Him with thoughtful, restrained speech.
Verse 3. - The first clause illustrates the second, the mark of comparison being simply the copula, mere juxtaposition being deemed sufficient to denote the similitude, as in
Ecclesiastes 7:1;
Proverbs 17:3;
Proverbs 27:21.
For a dream cometh through (
in consequence of)
the multitude of business. The verse is meant to confirm the injunction against vain babbling in prayer. Cares and anxieties in business or other matters occasion disturbed sleep, murder the dreamless repose of the healthy laborer, and produce all kinds of sick fancies and imaginations. Septuagint, "A dream cometh in abundance of trial (
πειρασμοῦ);" Vulgate,
Multas curas sequuntur somnia.
And a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. The verb should be supplied from the first clause, and not a new one introduced, as in the Authorized Version, "And the voice of a fool (cometh) in consequence of many words." As surely as excess of business produces fevered dreams, so excess of words, especially in addresses to God, produces a fool's voice,
i.
e. foolish speech. St. Gregory points out the many ways in which the mind is affected by images from dreams. "Sometimes," he says, "dreams are engendered of fullness or emptiness of the belly, sometimes of illusion, sometimes of illusion and thought combined, sometimes of revelation, while sometimes they are engendered of imagination, thought, and revelation together" ('Moral.,' 8:42).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Asכִּ֛י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiona dreamהַחֲל֖וֹם(ha·ḥă·lō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2472:A dreamcomesבָּ֥א(bā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gothrough manyבְּרֹ֣ב(bə·rōḇ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230:Multitude, abundance, greatnesscares,עִנְיָ֑ן(‘in·yān)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6045:Ado, employment, an affairso the speechוְק֥וֹל(wə·qō·wl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundof a foolכְּסִ֖יל(kə·sîl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684:Stupid fellow, dullard, fool[comes] with manyבְּרֹ֥ב(bə·rōḇ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230:Multitude, abundance, greatnesswords.דְּבָרִֽים׃(də·ḇā·rîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a cause
Links
Ecclesiastes 5:3 NIVEcclesiastes 5:3 NLTEcclesiastes 5:3 ESVEcclesiastes 5:3 NASBEcclesiastes 5:3 KJV
Ecclesiastes 5:3 BibleApps.comEcclesiastes 5:3 Biblia ParalelaEcclesiastes 5:3 Chinese BibleEcclesiastes 5:3 French BibleEcclesiastes 5:3 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:3 For as a dream comes (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) 
