Ecclesiastes 5:2

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּבַהֵ֨ל Be not rash H926
תְּבַהֵ֨ל Be not rash
Strong's: H926
Word #: 2 of 22
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּ֜יךָ with thy mouth H6310
פִּ֜יךָ with thy mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 4 of 22
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
וְלִבְּךָ֧ and let not thine heart H3820
וְלִבְּךָ֧ and let not thine heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 5 of 22
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 6 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יְמַהֵ֛ר be hasty H4116
יְמַהֵ֛ר be hasty
Strong's: H4116
Word #: 7 of 22
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
לְהוֹצִ֥יא to utter H3318
לְהוֹצִ֥יא to utter
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 8 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
דְבָרֶ֖יךָ any thing H1697
דְבָרֶ֖יךָ any thing
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 9 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים God H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 of 22
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
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים God H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 of 22
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
בַּשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ is in heaven H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ is in heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 14 of 22
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
וְאַתָּ֣ה H859
וְאַתָּ֣ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 15 of 22
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֔רֶץ and thou upon earth H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ and thou upon earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 17 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
עַֽל H5921
עַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 18 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֛ן H3651
כֵּ֛ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 19 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יִהְי֥וּ H1961
יִהְי֥וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 20 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבָרֶ֖יךָ any thing H1697
דְבָרֶ֖יךָ any thing
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 21 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מְעַטִּֽים׃ be few H4592
מְעַטִּֽים׃ be few
Strong's: H4592
Word #: 22 of 22
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

Analysis & 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection