King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:2 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:2 in the King James Version says “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and th...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. thing: or, word”

Ecclesiastes 5:2 · KJV

Context

1

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

2

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. thing: or, word

3

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

4

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Read Ecclesiastes 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Continuing the theme of reverent worship, the Preacher warns: 'Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.' The Hebrew 'bahal' (בָּהַל, rash/hasty) means acting impulsively without careful thought. The verse contrasts God's transcendence ('in heaven') with human limitation ('upon earth'), counseling humble restraint in speech before the Almighty. Verbose, hasty prayers demonstrate presumption—treating God as peer rather than sovereign. The command 'let thy words be few' doesn't prohibit extended prayer but counsels thoughtful, reverent communication over thoughtless verbosity. Jesus taught similar principle: 'use not vain repetitions' (Matthew 6:7). Quality matters more than quantity in prayer.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient pagan religion featured lengthy incantations and repetitive formulas attempting to manipulate deities. Israel's faith demanded different approach—reverent address to the sovereign, covenant Lord. The phrase 'God is in heaven, and thou upon earth' emphasizes Creator-creature distinction, countering presumptuous familiarity. Solomon's own prayer at the Temple dedication (1 Kings 8) was lengthy yet thoughtful—not mindless repetition. Jesus criticized Pharisaical prayers that were long but hypocritical (Matthew 23:14). The early church valued both extended prayer and brief, heartfelt intercession. The Reformers emphasized that prayer is privilege, not performance—quality of heart matters more than quantity of words. Modern verbosity in prayer may mask shallow devotion.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do your prayers demonstrate reverent awareness of addressing the sovereign God, or casual presumption?
  2. How can you cultivate thoughtful, heartfelt prayer over mindless religious verbosity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אַל1 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּבַהֵ֨ל2 of 22

“Be not rash”

H926

to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously

עַל3 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֜יךָ4 of 22

“with thy mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וְלִבְּךָ֧5 of 22

“and let not thine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אַל6 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יְמַהֵ֛ר7 of 22

“be hasty”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

לְהוֹצִ֥יא8 of 22

“to utter”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דְבָרֶ֖יךָ9 of 22

“any thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לִפְנֵ֣י10 of 22

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים11 of 22

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּ֣י12 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים13 of 22

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בַּשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙14 of 22

“is in heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאַתָּ֣ה15 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עַל16 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֔רֶץ17 of 22

“and thou upon earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

עַֽל18 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֛ן19 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִהְי֥וּ20 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבָרֶ֖יךָ21 of 22

“any thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

מְעַטִּֽים׃22 of 22

“be few”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 5:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 6:7Proverbs 10:19Isaiah 55:9Matthew 6:9Ecclesiastes 5:3Genesis 18:27

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