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Text -- Ecclesiastes 5:1-15 (NET)
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Strongs On/Off
Context
Rash Vows
5:1 Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God ; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice like fools , for they do not realize that they are doing wrong .
5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God , for God is in heaven and you are on earth ! Therefore , let your words be few .
5:3 Just as dreams come when there are many cares , so the rash vow of a fool occurs when there are many words .
5:4 When you make a vow to God , do not delay in paying it. For God takes no pleasure in fools : Pay what you vow !
5:5 It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it.
5:6 Do not let your mouth cause you to sin , and do not tell the priest , “It was a mistake !” Why make God angry at you so that he would destroy the work of your hands ?”
5:7 Just as there is futility in many dreams , so also in many words. Therefore, fear God !
Government Corruption
5:8 If you see the extortion of the poor , or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government , do not be astonished by the matter . For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!
5:9 The produce of the land is seized by all of them , even the king is served by the fields .
Covetousness
5:10 The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money , he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income . This also is futile .
5:11 When someone’s prosperity increases , those who consume it also increase ; so what does its owner gain , except that he gets to see it with his eyes ?
5:12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant – whether he eats little or much – but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep .
Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life
5:13 Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen : Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery .
5:14 Then that wealth was lost through bad luck ; although he fathered a son , he has nothing left to give him.
5:15 Just as he came forth from his mother's womb , naked will he return as he came , and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil .
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Philosophy |
Life |
Instruction |
Riches |
Vows |
Dream |
Greed |
Rich, The |
Poor |
Oppression |
Speaking |
Sin |
Worship |
Injustice |
Vanity |
Word of God |
Humility |
Words |
Heaven |
House of God |
more
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:1; Ecc 5:3; Ecc 5:3; Ecc 5:3; Ecc 5:3; Ecc 5:4; Ecc 5:4; Ecc 5:4; Ecc 5:5; Ecc 5:6; Ecc 5:6; Ecc 5:6; Ecc 5:6; Ecc 5:6; Ecc 5:7; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:9; Ecc 5:9; Ecc 5:9; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:13; Ecc 5:13; Ecc 5:13; Ecc 5:14; Ecc 5:14
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:3 The word “occurs” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:4 Heb “he”; the referent (“God”) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:5 The word “it” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:6 Heb “at your voice.” This is an example of metonymy (i.e., your voice) of association (i.e., you).
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:7 The syntax of this verse is difficult. Perhaps the best approach is to classify the vav on וַהֲבָלִ...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:8 And there are higher ones over them! This may describe a corrupt system of government in which each level of hierarchy exploits its subordinates, all ...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:9 The syntax and exegesis of the line is difficult. There are three basic interpretive options: (1) the king takes care of the security of the cultivate...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:10 The word “his” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:11 The rhetorical question is an example of negative affirmation, expecting a negative answer: “There is no ultimate advantage!” (see E. W. B...
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