What does “keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God” mean?

“Keep thy foot” is a picture of watching how you come into God’s presence. It means to come thoughtfully, not carelessly. When people went to the house of God, they were to come with a heart ready to listen, not just to go through motions. It is like being careful how you walk into a place that is holy. The verse calls you to prepare your heart, put aside distractions, and remember you are coming before a great and holy God, not just attending another ordinary meeting.

What is the “sacrifice of fools” in this passage?

The “sacrifice of fools” is worship that is only on the outside and not from a sincere heart. It can be prayers, offerings, or religious acts done without faith, repentance, or real desire to obey God. People may think they are doing something good, but the verse says they do not realize they are doing evil. God is not pleased with empty rituals. He wants listening, humble hearts, and a life that follows His word more than many showy sacrifices that are not honest.

Why does the teacher say, “let thy words be few” before God?

“Let thy words be few” reminds us who we are talking to. God is in heaven and we are on earth, so our prayers should be humble and thoughtful, not rushed and full of empty talk. Many words do not make a prayer better. The passage compares many words to the noise of a fool and links them with dreams that come from being too busy. The point is not that we can never speak much, but that our speech to God should be careful, sincere, and from the heart.

What does this passage teach about making vows to God?

The passage says that if you make a vow to God, you should not delay to keep it. God takes vows seriously and has no pleasure in people who promise and then do not follow through. It is better not to vow at all than to vow and not pay. Vows are not forced on us, but once given, they become a real promise before God. So the teacher warns against rash, emotional promises and calls us to think carefully before we speak and to be faithful if we do make a vow.

What does “suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin” mean?

This line warns that your own words can pull you into sin. A rash promise, a careless vow, or saying things you do not mean can lead to real disobedience and guilt. The “flesh” here points to your whole life being dragged into sin because of what your mouth said. The passage says you should not later tell the angel or messenger in God’s service that it was a mistake, as if that excused it. The warning is to guard your tongue so your life does not suffer for your careless speech.

Who is the “angel” mentioned in connection with vows and saying it was an error?

This verse has been understood in more than one way. Many readers see the “angel” as God’s messenger in worship, like a priest who heard vows and watched over them. Others take it more generally as a heavenly messenger. In either case, the point is the same: do not try to get out of a vow by saying it was only a mistake, as if that removed your responsibility. God hears what you say, and treating promises lightly can bring His anger on the work of your hands.

How does this passage apply to how we worship and pray today?

This passage still speaks to how we come to God. It calls us to come ready to listen to God’s word rather than to perform or impress. It reminds us that prayer is not about long, fancy speeches, but about honest, reverent hearts. It also warns us not to make quick promises to God in the heat of emotion that we will not keep. In daily life, it encourages careful speech, faithfulness to our commitments, and a quiet, steady fear of God instead of showy religion.

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

These verses show that God is holy, above us, and should be approached with respect. He listens to what we say and cares about the state of our hearts. God is not pleased with empty words, noisy worship, or broken promises. He values truth, obedience, and faithfulness. The warning that He can “destroy the work of thy hands” shows that our actions before Him matter and that He is not to be treated lightly. At the same time, the call to fear God points to a steady, humble relationship with Him.

Eccl.5.1

Ecclesiastes 5:1

Q: What is meant by “in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities”?

The verse links busy dreaming and many words with emptiness. Just as many dreams can come from being overworked or restless, many words in worship and prayer can come from a restless, unfocused heart. When worship is filled with talk but not with obedience and reverence, it becomes empty. These “many words” and “dreams” picture religious noise without substance. The teacher is saying that such things are full of vanity, so the better way is simple: fear God.

KJV

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.

Approaching God with Awe

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.

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.

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

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.

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.