Ecclesiastes 5:1
"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."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

Address thyself to the worship of God, and take time to compose thyself for it. Keep thy thoughts from roving and wandering: keep thy affections from running out toward wrong

objects.

Reflection

How often our wandering thoughts render attendance on Divine ordinances little better than the sacrifice of fools! Many words and hasty ones, used in prayer, show folly in the heart,

low thoughts of God, and careless thoughts of our own souls./\

📚Read Complete Commentary

Address thyself to the worship of God, and take time to compose thyself for it. Keep thy thoughts from roving and wandering: keep thy affections from running out toward wrong

objects. We should avoid vain repetitions; copious prayers are not here condemned, but those that are unmeaning. How often our wandering thoughts render attendance on Divine ordinances little better than the sacrifice of fools! Many words and hasty ones, used in prayer, show folly in the heart, low thoughts of God, and careless thoughts of our own souls./\

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (22 words)

H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0926 בָּהל
Definition:

butisbe quiet) —Niph`alPerfectנִבְהַל1 Samuel 28:21;נִבְהֲלָהPsalm 6:4;נִבְהַלְתִּיIsaiah 21:3;וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּיconsecutiveJob 21:6;נִבְהֲלוּGenesis 45:3+, etc.;ImperfectוַיִּבָּהֵלJudges 20:41; 2mascul butisbe quiet) —Niph`alPerfectנִבְהַל1 Samuel 28:21;נִבְהֲלָהPsalm 6:4;נִבְהַלְתִּיIsaiah 21:3;וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּיconsecutiveJob 21:6;נִבְהֲלוּGenesis 45:3+, etc.;ImperfectוַיִּבָּהֵלJudges 20:41; 2mascul

Possible Meanings:
  • alarm (semantic_range)
  • dismay (semantic_range)
  • hasten (semantic_range)
  • alarmed (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H6310 פֶה
Definition:

2mouth(probably biliteral [פו,פי] Sta§ 183; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianלפיaccording to; Assyrianpû, mouth;Arabic,,; Ethiopic; Syriacaccording to; but also Arabic,,, Biblical Aramaicמֻּם, 2mouth(probably biliteral [פו,פי] Sta§ 183; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianלפיaccording to; Assyrianpû, mouth;Arabic,,; Ethiopic; Syriacaccording to; but also Arabic,,, Biblical Aramaicמֻּם,

Possible Meanings:
  • here (semantic_range)
  • hither (semantic_range)
H3820 לֵב
Definition:

15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9 15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9

Possible Meanings:
  • in the midst of the sea (semantic_range)
H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H4116 מָהַר
Definition:

13;ParticipleנִמְהָרHabakkuk 1:6; pluralנִמְהָרִיםIsaiah 32:4; constructנִמְהֲרֵיIsaiah 35:4; —be hurried= anxious, disturbedנְמְהֲרֵילֵֿבIsaiah 35:4;hasty, precipitate, subjectעֵצָהJob 5:13; so parti 13;ParticipleנִמְהָרHabakkuk 1:6; pluralנִמְהָרִיםIsaiah 32:4; constructנִמְהֲרֵיIsaiah 35:4; —be hurried= anxious, disturbedנְמְהֲרֵילֵֿבIsaiah 35:4;hasty, precipitate, subjectעֵצָהJob 5:13; so parti

Possible Meanings:
  • acquire by paying purchase-price (semantic_range)
H3318 יָצָא
Definition:

1192t.; 3 feminine singularיָָֽצְאָהNumbers 16:3513t.;יָצָ֑אָהIsaiah 28:29; 2masculine singularיָצָאתָGenesis 24:57t.; 2 feminine singularוְיָצָאתJeremiah 31:4; 2masculine pluralיְצָאתֶםExodus 13:3;De 1192t.; 3 feminine singularיָָֽצְאָהNumbers 16:3513t.;יָצָ֑אָהIsaiah 28:29; 2masculine singularיָצָאתָGenesis 24:57t.; 2 feminine singularוְיָצָאתJeremiah 31:4; 2masculine pluralיְצָאתֶםExodus 13:3;De

Possible Meanings:
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come out (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come out (semantic_range)
  • forth (semantic_range)
H1697 דָבָר
Definition:

14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו 14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H6440 פָנִים
Definition:

23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ 23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ

H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H8064 שָׁמַיִם
Definition:

28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene, 28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene,

H0859 אַתָּה
Definition:

11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S 11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S

Possible Meanings:
  • come (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • bring (semantic_range)
  • be brought (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3651 כֵּן
Definition:

29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ 29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • thus (semantic_range)
  • as follows (semantic_range)
H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H1697 דָבָר
Definition:

14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו 14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H4592 מְעַט
Definition:

7+, pluralמְעַטִּיםPsalm 109:8;Ecclesiastes 5:1; —1. a.Genesis 30:30מעט אשׁר היה לךלְפָנַיthe littlethat thou hadst,Genesis 47:9מעט ורעים היוימי שׁני חייfewand evil,Leviticus 25:52;Numbers 26:54(compa 7+, pluralמְעַטִּיםPsalm 109:8;Ecclesiastes 5:1; —1. a.Genesis 30:30מעט אשׁר היה לךלְפָנַיthe littlethat thou hadst,Genesis 47:9מעט ורעים היוימי שׁני חייfewand evil,Leviticus 25:52;Numbers 26:54(compa

Possible Meanings:
  • a little (semantic_range)
  • fewness (semantic_range)
  • a few (semantic_range)

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