Ecclesiastes 5:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For a dream {H2472} cometh {H935} through the multitude {H7230} of business {H6045}; and a fool's {H3684} voice {H6963} is known by multitude {H7230} of words {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For nightmares come from worrying too much; and a fool, when he speaks, chatters too much.

Berean Standard Bible

As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.

American Standard Version

For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool’s voice with a multitude of words.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Qoheleth, the Preacher, offers a keen observation on the relationship between internal unrest and external expression, asserting that an overwhelming burden of worldly concerns often manifests as troubled dreams, just as a fool's lack of wisdom is betrayed by an abundance of ill-considered words. This verse serves as a cautionary parallel, linking the disquiet of a busy mind to the undisciplined speech of a foolish person, both revealing an underlying lack of peace or discernment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 5:3 is situated within a broader section (Ecclesiastes 4:17-5:7) that provides practical wisdom concerning one's conduct in the presence of God and in daily life. The preceding verses, [Ecclesiastes 5:1-2](/ecclesiastes/5-1 "Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 - Caution in Approaching God"), sternly caution against rashness in approaching God, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful reverence, careful listening, and measured speech when making vows. The warning against "multitude of words" in Ecclesiastes 5:3 directly echoes the admonition in [Ecclesiastes 5:2](/ecclesiastes/5-2 "Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Let Your Words Be Few") to "let thy words be few" before God. This establishes a clear thematic link, suggesting that the principles of discretion and restraint apply not only to sacred vows but also to everyday speech, revealing the character of the speaker. The first part of the verse, concerning dreams, acts as a proverbial parallel, illustrating how an internal state (a burdened mind) manifests externally, setting the stage for the parallel external manifestation of an internal state (a foolish mind) through speech.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society, like many ancient cultures, viewed dreams with significance, sometimes as divine communication, but also recognized their mundane origins in daily life. The concept of "business" (`ʻinyân`) would have encompassed the agricultural, commercial, and administrative affairs that occupied people's lives, often fraught with uncertainty and toil. The wisdom tradition, prevalent throughout the ancient Near East, highly valued measured speech and discretion, contrasting it sharply with the garrulousness associated with foolishness. In a society where oral communication was primary, one's reputation and wisdom were largely judged by their words. The "fool" (`kᵉçîyl`) in wisdom literature is not merely unintelligent but morally deficient, lacking sound judgment and often acting contrary to God's ways.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes pervasive in [the book of Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Preacher's Search for Meaning"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human toil and futility** (`hebel`), suggesting that the "multitude of business" often leads to unrest rather than satisfaction. This aligns with Qoheleth's observations on the vanity of labor under the sun, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 2:22-23](/ecclesiastes/2-22 "Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 - The Futility of Toil"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **wisdom versus folly**, a central dichotomy in the book. The contrast between the wise person, who is disciplined in speech, and the fool, whose "multitude of words" betrays their lack of understanding, is a recurring motif, also evident in passages like [Ecclesiastes 7:4-6](/ecclesiastes/7-4 "Ecclesiastes 7:4-6 - Wisdom vs. Folly"). Finally, it touches upon the theme of **self-control and discretion**, particularly in the realm of speech, building upon the immediate context of reverence before God in [Ecclesiastes 5:1-2](/ecclesiastes/5-1 "Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 - Approach God with Reverence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dream (Hebrew, _chălôwm'_):** From the root meaning "to dream," this word refers to a nocturnal vision or experience during sleep. While dreams could sometimes be prophetic in biblical thought, here it refers to the ordinary, often restless, dreams that arise from the mind's activity, particularly when burdened.
* **business (Hebrew, _ʻinyân'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to be occupied" or "to be afflicted," this term denotes employment, occupation, or an affair. It carries a connotation of "ado" or "travail," suggesting a burdensome or consuming activity rather than mere productive work. It implies a state of being overwhelmed or preoccupied.
* **fool (Hebrew, _kᵉçîyl'_):** This word describes someone who is stupid, silly, or morally deficient. In wisdom literature, a "fool" is not simply lacking intelligence but is characterized by a lack of moral discernment, an inability to learn from experience, and often, a disregard for God's ways. Their actions and words reveal their inner character.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _rôb'_):** This term signifies abundance, a great number, or much. Its repeated use in both clauses of the verse ("multitude of business" and "multitude of words") creates a powerful parallelism, emphasizing the excess that leads to undesirable outcomes.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This versatile word encompasses "word," "speech," "matter," "thing," or "affair." In this context, it specifically refers to spoken utterances. The "multitude of words" implies excessive, uncontrolled, or ill-considered speech.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For a dream cometh through the multitude of business":** This clause presents a proverbial observation. It suggests that an excessive amount of worldly affairs, anxieties, or preoccupations (the "multitude of business" or "travail") directly leads to, or is the cause of, restless or numerous dreams. It speaks to a mind that is not at peace, constantly processing or burdened by the cares of daily life, even in sleep. It highlights the internal disquiet caused by an overwhelming external life.
* **"and a fool's voice [is known] by multitude of words":** This second clause draws a parallel to the first, shifting from the internal manifestation of a burdened mind (dreams) to the external manifestation of a foolish character (speech). Just as an abundance of business leads to restless dreams, an abundance of words reveals the folly of the speaker. A "fool's voice" (their manner of speaking) is characterized and recognized by their excessive, often thoughtless, or uncontrolled speech. This implies a lack of discretion, judgment, and self-control, which are hallmarks of foolishness in wisdom literature.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 5:3 employs **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first, though here it offers a distinct but analogous observation. The structure "A comes through B; C is known by D" creates a clear comparison between two phenomena: the origin of restless dreams and the revelation of foolishness. The repeated use of "multitude" (**Repetition**) in both clauses ("multitude of business" and "multitude of words") reinforces the central idea that excess, whether of activity or speech, leads to discernible negative outcomes. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy** where "voice" stands for the entire manner of speaking or the character revealed through speech. The overall tone is **Proverbial**, offering a concise, general truth about human experience and character, characteristic of wisdom literature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a simple observation, carries profound theological weight. It implicitly critiques the human tendency towards excessive worldly engagement and undisciplined communication, both of which detract from a life lived in reverence before God. The "multitude of business" can signify a life consumed by earthly pursuits to the neglect of spiritual peace, a theme Qoheleth explores extensively concerning the vanity of human labor. Similarly, the "multitude of words" from a fool stands in stark contrast to the reverent, few words encouraged in the preceding verses, emphasizing that true wisdom involves not just intellectual understanding but also self-control and a discerning heart, especially in one's interaction with the divine. The verse, therefore, serves as a call for spiritual and mental discipline, recognizing that our inner state and outer expressions are deeply interconnected and reveal our true character before God.

* [Proverbs 10:19](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19 - Wisdom in Few Words")
* [Proverbs 17:28](/proverbs/17-28 "Proverbs 17:28 - Even a Fool is Thought Wise When Silent")
* [James 1:19](/james/1-19 "James 1:19 - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 5:3 offers a timeless mirror for self-examination in our modern, often hyper-connected world. The first part challenges us to consider the impact of our ceaseless activity and anxieties on our inner peace. In an era of constant notifications, demanding careers, and the pressure to "do it all," our minds are often overwhelmed, leading to mental and spiritual restlessness, even in our sleep. This verse subtly calls us to evaluate our priorities, to seek a healthier balance, and to cultivate practices of rest and mindfulness that allow our souls to find tranquility, rather than being perpetually burdened by the "multitude of business." The second part serves as a powerful and ever-relevant caution regarding our speech. In a digital age where words are easily and instantly disseminated, the temptation to speak excessively, react impulsively, or engage in thoughtless chatter is immense. Our words, whether spoken aloud or typed online, are powerful indicators of our character and wisdom. This verse reminds us that true wisdom is often demonstrated not by the quantity of our words, but by their quality, their purpose, and the discretion with which they are uttered. It urges us to cultivate a habit of thoughtful communication, speaking less and listening more, ensuring our words build up rather than tear down, and reflect a heart submitted to God's wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "multitude of business" in my life manifest as internal unrest or troubled sleep?**
* **In what ways might my own "multitude of words" reveal a lack of wisdom or self-control?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater internal peace and more disciplined speech?**
* **How can I apply the principle of "let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:2) to my daily interactions, both in person and online?**

### FAQ
**Does "multitude of business" refer only to work, or something broader?**

Answer: While "business" (`ʻinyân`) certainly includes professional occupation, the Hebrew term is broader, encompassing "ado," "employment," "affair," or "travail." It refers to any consuming preoccupation, anxiety, or burdensome activity that fills one's mind and life. So, it can include worries, responsibilities, or even excessive leisure activities that lead to mental clutter and unrest, rather than just work in a modern sense. The emphasis is on the *multitude* or excess that overwhelms the individual.

**How does this verse relate to the idea of "speaking little" in other wisdom literature?**

Answer: This verse strongly aligns with the broader wisdom tradition found in Proverbs and other biblical books that advocates for measured, thoughtful speech. The "multitude of words" from a fool is consistently contrasted with the wise person's discretion. For example, [Proverbs 10:19](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19 - In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin") explicitly states that "in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin," implying that excessive talk often leads to error, gossip, or foolishness. Similarly, [Proverbs 17:28](/proverbs/17-28 "Proverbs 17:28 - Even a Fool is Thought Wise When Silent") notes that "even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise." The consistent message is that restraint and thoughtfulness in speech are hallmarks of wisdom, while garrulousness is a sign of folly. This also connects to the preceding verse in [Ecclesiastes 5:2](/ecclesiastes/5-2 "Ecclesiastes 5:2 - Let Your Words Be Few"), which advises "let thy words be few" when speaking to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 5:3, with its observations on the disquiet of a burdened mind and the folly of excessive words, finds its ultimate resolution and antidote in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "multitude of business" that troubles the human soul and leads to restless dreams speaks to the pervasive anxiety and striving inherent in a fallen world, a burden that Jesus invites us to lay down. He offers true rest, saying, "[Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")." His life exemplified perfect peace amidst external pressures, demonstrating a mind fully yielded to the Father's will, not consumed by worldly anxieties. Furthermore, the "fool's voice [known] by multitude of words" stands in stark contrast to Christ's speech. Jesus' words were always measured, purposeful, and filled with divine wisdom. He spoke with authority, not with excess, and His words brought life and truth, as seen in His teachings, such as the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"). He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the embodiment of divine communication, whose every utterance was perfect and redemptive. In Him, believers find not only freedom from the anxious "multitude of business" through His peace, but also a model for transformed speech, empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak words that build up and glorify God, rather than revealing folly. The discipline and peace Qoheleth seeks are fully realized in the life transformed by Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 15:2

¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 10:19

¶ In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.

Ecclesiastes 10:12

¶ The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Ecclesiastes 10:14

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Job 11:2

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?