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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:1 (4:17 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 4 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:2 | Miscellanies 1.10.48 · Clement of Alexandria | echo, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Eccl 5:2 | On Prayer 23.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Eccl 5:2 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 5.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Eccl 5:2 (5:1 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:2 | Oration 2.38 · Gregory of Nazianzus | echo, low confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Eccl 5:2 | On the Lord's Prayer 1145 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380–394 |
Ecclesiastes 5:3
As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:3 (5:2 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:4 (5:3 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:4 | To Quirinus 3.30 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Eccl 5:4 | Letter 127.8 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Eccl 5:4 (5:3 LXX) | The Conferences 9.12 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Ecclesiastes 5:5
It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:5 | On Prayer 3.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.) | On Cain and Abel 1.25 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX) | Apostolic Constitutions 3.1.3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX) | Apostolic Constitutions 4.14.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Eccl 5:5 | Sermon 355.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.) | The Institutes 4.33 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.) | The Institutes 7.15 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 LXX) | The Conferences 9.12 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
| Eccl 5:5 (5:4 Vulg.) | To the Church 2.43 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, high confidence | ca. 435-440 |
Ecclesiastes 5:7
For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:7 (5:6 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:8 (5:7 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:8 | Defence of His Flight 21 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:10 | To Quirinus 3.61 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Eccl 5:10–12 | Demonstration 14.24 · Aphrahat | allusion, medium confidence | 337-345 |
| Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX) | Homilies 7.4 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Eccl 5:10 (5:9 Vulg.) | On Cain and Abel 1.21 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Eccl 5:10 | On Naboth 4 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX) | On Naboth 28 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Eccl 5:10 (5:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.3 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Eccl 5:10 (5:9 Vulg.) | Tractates 13 · Gaudentius of Brescia | quotation, high confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:12 (5:11 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:12 (5:11 LXX) | On Naboth 29 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Eccl 5:12 (5:11 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.4 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX) | Homilies 7.6 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.) | On Cain and Abel 1.21 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.) | On the Complaints of Job and David 2.12 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 383-390 |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX) | On Naboth 25 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.) | To the Church 1.31 · Salvian of Marseilles | quotation, high confidence | ca. 435-440 |
| Eccl 5:13 (5:12 Vulg.) | To the Church 1.32 · Salvian of Marseilles | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:15 | Sibylline Oracles 8.91ff. · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | 2nd-3rd cent. |
| Eccl 5:15 (5:14 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:15 | On Naboth 2 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 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?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:16 (5:15 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:16 (5:15 LXX) | On Naboth 28 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
Ecclesiastes 5:17
Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:17 (5:16 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 5:17 (5:16 LXX) | On Naboth 28 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-390 |
| Eccl 5:17 (5:16 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.28.4 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:19 (5:18 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd 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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 5:20 (5:19 LXX) | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 5 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |