What does Ecclesiastes 5:7 mean?
"For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God." - Ecclesiastes 5:7

"Ecclesiastes 5:7 (KJV): "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
The book of Ecclesiastes is a profound and thought-provoking work of wisdom literature found in the Old Testament of the Bible. The verse Ecclesiastes 5:7 delves into the themes of worldly pursuits and the importance of revering God in all aspects of life. The verse cautions against the empty pursuits of earthly desires and the futility of chasing after dreams and speaking without purpose.
One of the central themes of Ecclesiastes 5:7 is the concept of vanities, or emptiness, which is a recurring theme throughout the book. The author, traditionally believed to be King Solomon, reflects on the fleeting nature of worldly wealth, power, and achievements, ultimately finding them to be meaningless. The pursuit of material wealth and the desire for success and recognition are portrayed as empty and ultimately unfulfilling.
The verse also touches on the idea of dreams and words, emphasizing the transitory nature of human aspirations and the potential for meaningless speech. Dreams are often seen as aspirations or desires that are not grounded in reality, and the verse suggests that pursuing these dreams without acknowledging the greater purpose of life is futile. Similarly, the reference to "many words" may allude to empty or frivolous speech that lacks substance or meaning. The author advises against getting caught up in fruitless pursuits and pointless chatter, which only lead to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
In contrast to the transient nature of worldly pursuits, the verse urges reverence and fear of God. This emphasis on the fear of God aligns with the overarching message of Ecclesiastes, which is to seek wisdom and find fulfillment in a life lived in reverence to God. By acknowledging the supremacy of God and aligning one's actions with His will, one can find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends the emptiness of worldly pursuits.
The context of Ecclesiastes 5:7 within the broader book of Ecclesiastes further enriches its meaning. The author's reflections on the vanity of life and the pursuit of wisdom, pleasure, and wealth culminate in the conclusion that true fulfillment can only be found in God. The verse serves as a reminder to prioritize the fear of God over the ephemeral pursuits of this world and to seek meaning and purpose in His divine will.
Symbolically, Ecclesiastes 5:7 can be seen as a call to shift our focus from the temporal to the eternal, from the transient to the enduring. Dreams and words, often associated with human ambition and communication, are contrasted with the timeless reverence for God. The verse presents a dichotomy between the fleeting nature of human desires and the enduring significance of a life lived in reverence to God.
Overall, Ecclesiastes 5:7 offers a profound commentary on the human condition and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment. The verse encourages reflection on the emptiness of worldly aspirations and the importance of aligning one's life with the fear and reverence of God. It serves as a timeless reminder to prioritize the eternal over the temporal and to seek fulfillment in a life lived in harmony with God's divine will."
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Ecclesiastes 5:7 - "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
"For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God." - Ecclesiastes 5:7
Ecclesiastes 7:5 - "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."
"It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:5
Ecclesiastes 5:5 - "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
Ecclesiastes 7:7 - "¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart."
Ecclesiastes 3:7-8
Ecclesiastes 7:11 - "¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun."
Ecclesiastes 4:7 - "Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 7:9 - "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
Ecclesiastes 6:7 - "All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled."
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
Ecclesiastes 5:9 - "¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."
Ecclesiastes 4:5 - "The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh."
Ecclesiastes 7:3 - "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better."
Ecclesiastes 11:7 - "¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:"
Ecclesiastes 7:4 - "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."
Ecclesiastes 8:7 - "For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?"
Ecclesiastes 7:19 - "Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city."
Ecclesiastes 3:7 - "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;"
Ecclesiastes 7:24 - "That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?"
Ecclesiastes 7:6 - "For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 5:3 - "For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words."
Ecclesiastes 12:7 - "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
Ecclesiastes 5:14 - "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:"
Ecclesiastes 2:5 - "I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:"
Ecclesiastes 7:13 - "Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?"
Ecclesiastes 7:23 - "¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me."
Ecclesiastes 7:1 - "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."