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Ecclesiastes 5:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger [of God] that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it [was] an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it [was] an error: why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an inadvertence. Wherefore should God be wroth at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Do not let thy mouth cause thy flesh to sin,—neither say thou, before the messenger, that it was, a mistake,—wherefore should God be indignant at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger, that 'it [is] an error,' why is God wroth because of thy voice, and hath destroyed the work of thy hands?
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Give not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin: and say not before the angel: There is no providence: lest God be angry at thy words, and destroy all the works of thy hands.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Suffer not thy mouth to make thy flesh to sinne: neither say before the Angel, that this is ignorance: wherefore shall God bee angry by thy voyce, and destroy the worke of thine hands?
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sinne, neither say thou before the Angel, that it [was] an errour: wherefore should God be angrie at thy voyce, and destroy the worke of thine hands?
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say before God that it was an error, lest God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— Suffer not thy mouth to lead thy flesh to sin; and say not in the presence of God, It was an error: lest God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the works of thy hands.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it [was] an error: wherefore should Elohim be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
Suffer 5414
{5414} Prime
נָתַן
nathan
{naw-than'}
A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.).
z8799
<8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 19885
not x408
(0408) Complement
אַל
'al
{al}
A negative particle (akin to H3808); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing.
x853
(0853) Complement
אֵת
'eth
{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
thy mouth 6310
{6310} Prime
פֶּה
peh
{peh}
From H6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literally or figuratively (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to.
to cause x853
(0853) Complement
אֵת
'eth
{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
thy flesh 1320
{1320} Prime
בָּשָׂר
basar
{baw-sawr'}
From H1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension body, person; also (by euphemism) the pudenda of a man.
to sin; 2398
{2398} Prime
חטא
chata'
{khaw-taw'}
A primitive root; properly to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn.
z8687
<8687> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Infinitive (See H8812)
Count - 1162
neither x408
(0408) Complement
אַל
'al
{al}
A negative particle (akin to H3808); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing.
say 559
{0559} Prime
אָמַר
'amar
{aw-mar'}
A primitive root; to say (used with great latitude).
z8799
<8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 19885
thou before 6440
{6440} Prime
פָּנִים
paniym
{paw-neem'}
Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun (פָּנֶה paneh, {paw-neh'}; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.).
the angel, 4397
{4397} Prime
מַלְאָךְ
mal'ak
{mal-awk'}
From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher).
that x3588
(3588) Complement
כִּי
kiy
{kee}
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed.
it x1931
(1931) Complement
הוּא
huw'
{hoo}
The second form is the feminine beyond the Pentateuch; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are.
[was] an error: 7684
{7684} Prime
שְׁגָגָה
sh@gagah
{sheg-aw-gaw'}
From H7683; a mistake or inadvertent transgression.
wherefore x4100
(4100) Complement
מָּה
mah
{maw}
A primitive particle; properly interrogitive what? (including how?, why? and when?); but also exclamations like what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjugational senses.
should ´Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים 430
{0430} Prime
אֱלֹהִים
'elohiym
{el-o-heem'}
Plural of H0433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative.
be angry 7107
{7107} Prime
קָצַף
qatsaph
{kaw-tsaf'}
A primitive root; to crack off, that is, (figuratively) burst out in rage.
z8799
<8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 19885
at x5921
(5921) Complement
עַל
`al
{al}
Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications.
thy voice, 6963
{6963} Prime
קוֹל
qowl
{kole}
From an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.
and destroy 2254
{2254} Prime
חָבַל
chabal
{khaw-bal'}
A primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), that is, to bind; specifically by a pledge; figuratively to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition).
z8765
<8765> Grammar
Stem - Piel (See H8840)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 2121
x853
(0853) Complement
אֵת
'eth
{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
the work 4639
{4639} Prime
מַעֲשֶׂה
ma`aseh
{mah-as-eh'}
From H6213; an action (good or bad); generally a transaction; abstractly activity; by implication a product (specifically a poem) or (generally) property.
of thine hands? 3027
{3027} Prime
יָד
yad
{yawd}
A primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from H3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:6

_ _ thy flesh — Vow not with “thy mouth” a vow (for example, fasting), which the lusts of the flesh (“body,” Ecclesiastes 2:3, Margin) may tempt thee to break (Proverbs 20:25).

_ _ angel — the “messenger” of God (Job 33:23); minister (Revelation 1:20); that is, the priest (Malachi 2:7) “before” whom a breach of a vow was to be confessed (Leviticus 5:4, Leviticus 5:5). We, Christians, in our vows (for example, at baptism, the Lord’s Supper, etc.) vow in the presence of Jesus Christ, “the angel of the covenant” (Malachi 3:1), and of ministering angels as witnesses (1 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Timothy 5:21). Extenuate not any breach of them as a slight error.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:4-8.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Ecclesiastes 5:6

Thy mouth — By any rash vow. Thy flesh — Thyself, the word flesh being often put for the whole man. The angel — The priest or ministers of holy things. Such persons are often called angels, or, as this Hebrew word is commonly rendered, messengers. And this title seems to be given to the priest here, because the vow made to God, was paid to the priest as one standing and acting in God's name and stead, and it belonged to him, as God's angel or ambassador, to discharge persons from their vows when there was just occasion. It was — I did unadvisedly in making such a vow. Angry — Why wilt thou provoke God to anger at these frivolous excuses? Destroy — Blast all thy labours, and particularly that work or enterprize for the success whereof thou didst make these vows.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Ecclesiastes 5:6

Allow not thy mouth to cause thy (d) flesh to sin; neither say thou before the (e) angel, that it [was] an error: why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

(d) Do not cause yourself to sin by vowing rashly as they do who make a vow to live unmarried and such like.

(e) That is, before God's messenger when he will examine your doing, as though your ignorance should be a just excuse.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
thy mouth:

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 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. ... Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.

before:
Or, "before the messenger," hammalach, the priest whose business it was to take cognizance of vows and offerings.
Leviticus 5:4-5 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with [his] lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever [it be] that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth [of it], then he shall be guilty in one of these. ... And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these [things], that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that [thing]:
Genesis 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Hosea 12:4-5 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Bethel, and there he spake with us; ... Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial.
Malachi 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Acts 7:30-35 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. ... This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
1 Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on [her] head because of the angels.
1 Timothy 5:21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

it was:

Leviticus 5:4-6 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with [his] lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever [it be] that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth [of it], then he shall be guilty in one of these. ... And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.
Leviticus 27:9-10 And if [it be] a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that [any man] giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy. ... He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.

destroy:

Haggai 1:9-11 Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. ... And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon [that] which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
Haggai 2:14-17 Then answered Haggai, and said, So [is] this people, and so [is] this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so [is] every work of their hands; and that which they offer there [is] unclean. ... I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye [turned] not to me, saith the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. ... If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 48:16. Lv 5:4; 27:9. Ec 5:1. Ho 12:4. Hg 1:9; 2:14. Mal 2:7; 3:1. Ac 7:30. 1Co 3:13; 11:10. 1Ti 5:21. He 1:14. Jm 1:26; 3:2. 2Jn 1:8.

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