Ecclesiastes 5:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Approach worship with care and a listening heart, for thoughtless religion that merely goes through the motions is worse than no offering at all.
What Does Ecclesiastes 5:1 Mean?
After surveying the emptiness of toil and pleasure, the Preacher turns to the one place where meaning might be found: the presence of God. "Keep thy foot" is a call to watch your steps as you enter holy ground, to come deliberately rather than carelessly.
True worship begins not with what we bring but with what we are willing to receive. To be "ready to hear" is to come empty-handed and open, letting God speak before we do. The danger is religion on autopilot, offerings made by those who never stop to consider their own hearts. Long before, Samuel had said that to obey is better than sacrifice, and Jesus would warn against honoring God with lips while the heart stays far off.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 in the Original Language
shamar (שָׁמַר), 'keep' -- to guard or watch carefully, the same verb used for tending and protecting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 5:1
What does Ecclesiastes 5:1 mean?
Approach worship with care and a listening heart, for thoughtless religion that merely goes through the motions is worse than no offering at all.