Ecclesiastes 5:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A promise made to God must be kept; delaying or neglecting a vow is the mark of folly, not devotion.
What Does Ecclesiastes 5:4 Mean?
Vows were a familiar part of worship, freely made promises to give or to do something for God, often in gratitude or in time of need. The Preacher now addresses what happens after the promise is spoken.
God takes our words seriously, even when we forget them. To vow and then defer payment treats Him as if He did not matter, and that is foolishness. The teaching is sobering and freeing at once: our commitments to God are not idle, so we should make them thoughtfully and then follow through. Faithfulness in small promises trains the heart toward integrity before the One who always keeps His own word.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 in the Original Language
neder (נֶדֶר), 'vow' -- a voluntary promise to God, binding once spoken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 5:4
What does Ecclesiastes 5:4 mean?
A promise made to God must be kept; delaying or neglecting a vow is the mark of folly, not devotion.