Ecclesiastes 5:4

Read in context

Ecclesiastes 5:2–6 · Berean Standard Bible

2 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

3 As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.

5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

Hebrew words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

Study Ecclesiastes 5:4

Read the commentary on Ecclesiastes 5

Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Genesis 28:20

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear,

Genesis 35:1

Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

Genesis 35:3

Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

Numbers 30:2

If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Deuteronomy 23:21

If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23:22

But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23:23

Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Psalms 50:14

Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Psalms 76:11

Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.

Psalms 119:106

I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.

Isaiah 19:21

The LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and on that day Egypt will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and fulfill them.

Matthew 5:33

Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’

Psalms 147:10

He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.

Psalms 147:11

The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.

Malachi 1:10

“Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.

Hebrews 10:6

In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.

Psalms 66:13

I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You—

Psalms 66:14

the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress.

Psalms 116:14

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.

Psalms 116:16

Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.

Psalms 116:17

I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

Psalms 116:18

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,

Jonah 2:9

But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”