Ecclesiastes 5 in the early church

55 passages quote, allude to, or echo Ecclesiastes 5, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12 · 13 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 19 · 20

Ecclesiastes 5:1

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:1 (4:17 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 4 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 5:2

Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:2Miscellanies 1.10.48 · Clement of Alexandriaecho, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Eccl 5:2On Prayer 23.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Eccl 5:2Homilies on Psalms 36-38 5.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Eccl 5:2 (5:1 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:2Oration 2.38 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, low confidenceca. 362–383
Eccl 5:2On the Lord's Prayer 1145 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 380–394

Ecclesiastes 5:3

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

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:3 (5:2 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 5:4

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:4 (5:3 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:4To Quirinus 3.30 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Eccl 5:4Letter 127.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Eccl 5:4 (5:3 LXX)The Conferences 9.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Ecclesiastes 5:5

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:5On Prayer 3.4 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.)On Cain and Abel 1.25 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX)Apostolic Constitutions 3.1.3 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX)Apostolic Constitutions 4.14.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Eccl 5:5Sermon 355.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.)The Institutes 4.33 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 419–426
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.)The Institutes 7.15 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 419–426
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX)The Conferences 9.12 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.)To the Church 2.43 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 435-440

Ecclesiastes 5:7

For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:7 (5:6 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 5:8

If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:8 (5:7 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:8Defence of His Flight 21 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:10To Quirinus 3.61 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Eccl 5:10–12Demonstration 14.24 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX)Homilies 7.4 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, medium confidenceca. 363-378
Eccl 5:10 (5:9 Vulg.)On Cain and Abel 1.21 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Eccl 5:10On Naboth 4 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-390
Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX)On Naboth 28 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Eccl 5:10 (5:9 Vulg.)Tractates 13 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410

Ecclesiastes 5:12

The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:12 (5:11 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:12 (5:11 LXX)On Naboth 29 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Eccl 5:12 (5:11 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.4 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Ecclesiastes 5:13

There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX)Homilies 7.6 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 363-378
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.)On Cain and Abel 1.21 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.)On the Complaints of Job and David 2.12 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 383-390
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX)On Naboth 25 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.)To the Church 1.31 · Salvian of Marseillesquotation, high confidenceca. 435-440
Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.)To the Church 1.32 · Salvian of Marseillesallusion, medium confidenceca. 435-440

Ecclesiastes 5:15

As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:15Sibylline Oracles 8.91ff. · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence2nd-3rd cent.
Eccl 5:15 (5:14 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:15On Naboth 2 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 386-390

Ecclesiastes 5:16

This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:16 (5:15 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:16 (5:15 LXX)On Naboth 28 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390

Ecclesiastes 5:17

Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:17 (5:16 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century
Eccl 5:17 (5:16 LXX)On Naboth 28 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Eccl 5:17 (5:16 LXX)Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.4 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397

Ecclesiastes 5:19

Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:19 (5:18 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century

Ecclesiastes 5:20

For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Eccl 5:20 (5:19 LXX)Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgusallusion, high confidence3rd century