Ecclesiastes 5:5
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow,.... For a vow is an arbitrary thing; a man is not bound to make it, and while he vows not, it is

in his own power, and at his option, whether he will do this or that, or not; but when he has once vowed, he is then brought under an obligation, and must perform; see Act 5:4 ; and therefore it is better not to vow; it is more acceptable to God, and, it is better for a man; than that thou shouldest vow and not pay; for this shows great weakness and folly, levity and inconstancy, and is resented by the Lord.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (23 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)
H5414 נָתַן
Definition:

19 + often; Old Hebrewנתןיֿהוproper name, masculine Lzb327; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianיתן,נתןin proper nameמתנת, etc., Lzb292; Lzb327; AssyriannadânuDlHWB 450(rarelyittanIdib.488); Zinj 19 + often; Old Hebrewנתןיֿהוproper name, masculine Lzb327; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianיתן,נתןin proper nameמתנת, etc., Lzb292; Lzb327; AssyriannadânuDlHWB 450(rarelyittanIdib.488); Zinj

Possible Meanings:
  • give (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (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)
H2398 חָטָא
Definition:

31+ 29: t., 3 feminine singularחָֽטְאָהLeviticus 5:15;Lamentations 1:8,חָטָֽאָהJeremiah 50:14;Ezekiel 16:15,חָטָאתExodus 5:16, etc., + 82 t. Perfect;ImperfectיֶחֱטָאLeviticus 4:312t.,תֶּחֱטָ֫אוּExodus 31+ 29: t., 3 feminine singularחָֽטְאָהLeviticus 5:15;Lamentations 1:8,חָטָֽאָהJeremiah 50:14;Ezekiel 16:15,חָטָאתExodus 5:16, etc., + 82 t. Perfect;ImperfectיֶחֱטָאLeviticus 4:312t.,תֶּחֱטָ֫אוּExodus

Possible Meanings:
  • sinful (semantic_range)
  • sinners (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H1320 בָּשָׂר
Definition:

21126t.; constructבְּשַׂרGenesis 17:1140t.; suffixבּשָׂרִיetc.Psalm 16:996t.; pluralבְּשָׂרִיםProverbs 14:30; —1of the body:a.of animalsGenesis 41:2-19Exodus 21:28;Exodus 22:30;Numbers 12:12(E)Numbers 21126t.; constructבְּשַׂרGenesis 17:1140t.; suffixבּשָׂרִיetc.Psalm 16:996t.; pluralבְּשָׂרִיםProverbs 14:30; —1of the body:a.of animalsGenesis 41:2-19Exodus 21:28;Exodus 22:30;Numbers 12:12(E)Numbers

Possible Meanings:
  • flesh (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)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (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

H4397 מֲלְאָךְ
Definition:

2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1 2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1

Possible Meanings:
  • angel (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)
H7684 שְׁגָגָה
Definition:

25+; suffixשִׁגְָתוֺLeviticus 5:18;שִׁגְָתָםNumbers 15:26; —error(opposed to sins of intention, orבְּיָד רָמָה) only P Ecclesiastes:Numbers 15:25=Ecclesiastes 5:5, compareEcclesiastes 10:5;׳על שׁLevit 25+; suffixשִׁגְָתוֺLeviticus 5:18;שִׁגְָתָםNumbers 15:26; —error(opposed to sins of intention, orבְּיָד רָמָה) only P Ecclesiastes:Numbers 15:25=Ecclesiastes 5:5, compareEcclesiastes 10:5;׳על שׁLevit

Possible Meanings:
  • sin of error (semantic_range)
  • inadvertence (semantic_range)
H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H7107 קָצַף
Definition:

10+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְצֹףLeviticus 10:6+, etc.;Infinitive constructקְצֹףIsaiah 54:9;ParticipleקֹצֵףZechariah 1:15;-be wroth:1of God; absoluteDeuteronomy 1:34;Isaiah 57:16,17 (twice 10+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְצֹףLeviticus 10:6+, etc.;Infinitive constructקְצֹףIsaiah 54:9;ParticipleקֹצֵףZechariah 1:15;-be wroth:1of God; absoluteDeuteronomy 1:34;Isaiah 57:16,17 (twice

Possible Meanings:
  • wrath (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)
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)
H6963 קוֹל
Definition:

14sound, voice; — absoluteקוֺלGenesis 4:10+ (הַקֹּלGenesis 27:22;Genesis 45:16); constructקוֺלGenesis 3:8+ (וְקֹלExodus 19:16,לְקֹלExodus 4:8(twice in verse)); suffixקוֺלִי1 Samuel 26:17+,קוֺלְךָJudge 14sound, voice; — absoluteקוֺלGenesis 4:10+ (הַקֹּלGenesis 27:22;Genesis 45:16); constructקוֺלGenesis 3:8+ (וְקֹלExodus 19:16,לְקֹלExodus 4:8(twice in verse)); suffixקוֺלִי1 Samuel 26:17+,קוֺלְךָJudge

H2254 חָבַל
Definition:

A primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. To bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) -- X at all, band, bring f A primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. To bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) -- X at all, band, bring f

Possible Meanings:
  • hurt (semantic_range)
  • injury (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה
Definition:

9deed, work; — absolute׳מGenesis 44:15+, constructמַעֲשֵׂהIsaiah 5:12+; suffixמַעֲשֵׂהוּJudges 13:12+, etc.; pluralמַעֲשִׂיםGenesis 20:9+; constructמַעֲשֵׂיJeremiah 1:16+; suffixמַעֲשָׂיו1 Samuel 19:4 9deed, work; — absolute׳מGenesis 44:15+, constructמַעֲשֵׂהIsaiah 5:12+; suffixמַעֲשֵׂהוּJudges 13:12+, etc.; pluralמַעֲשִׂיםGenesis 20:9+; constructמַעֲשֵׂיJeremiah 1:16+; suffixמַעֲשָׂיו1 Samuel 19:4

H3027 יָד
Definition:

26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G 26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G

Possible Meanings:
  • power (semantic_range)

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