When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ecclesiastes 5:4
What does Ecclesiastes 5:4 mean?
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Ecclesiastes 5:4
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The verse warns against delaying vows made to God, but the real punch is that He has "no pleasure in fools." This isn't just about being silly; it implies a deep folly in making promises to the Almighty and then treating them lightly, which God finds deeply displeasing.
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh from discussions about the vanity of endless talking, Solomon turns to the serious matter of vows made to God. He warns against hasty promises, especially those made in times of distress, urging listeners to fulfill them promptly because delaying or neglecting them is foolish and displeasing to God.
Ever felt pressured to make a promise to God, maybe in a tough spot? This verse cuts through any casual approach to such commitments.
When we vow a vow to God, we're not just making a casual promise; we're entering into a solemn agreement. The Bible emphasizes that these aren't things to be taken lightly.
The Weight of Your Word
The verse calls those who don't pay their vows 'fools.' What does that really mean in God's eyes?
God has 'no pleasure in fools.' This isn't about intelligence, but about character and integrity. In this context, a 'fool' is someone who makes a serious commitment and then disregards it.
The Folly of Broken Promises
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Understand the original words
neder · Hebrew Noun
A formal, solemn promise or oath made to God, often involving a commitment to perform a specific action or offering in response to His grace or as a condition of a petition. Breaking a vow is considered a serious transgression, equivalent to dealing falsely with God Himself.
This passage directly parallels Ecclesiastes, establishing the principle that vows made to God should be paid promptly and without delay, emphasizing the seriousness of such commitments.
Psalm 76:11This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling vows as a form of worship and a demonstration of faithfulness to God, reinforcing the idea that such promises are not to be taken lightly.
Matthew 5:33Jesus addresses the concept of oaths and vows, urging sincerity and faithfulness in all promises made to God, which aligns with the instruction in Ecclesiastes not to delay in paying what has been vowed.
Proverbs 20:25This proverb warns against rashly dedicating something as holy, suggesting that a vow made without careful consideration can become a trap, underscoring the wisdom of being deliberate before vowing and prompt in fulfilling.
clarkeEcclesiastes 5:4: "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed."
When thou vowest a vow - When in distress and difficulty, men are apt to promise much to God if he will relieve them; but generally forget the vow when the distress or trouble is gone by.
ellicottEcclesiastes 5:4: "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed."
(4) There is here a clear recognition of the passage in Deuteronomy. (See ref.; comp. Ecclesiasticus 18:23 .) No pleasure in fools.—Comp. Isaiah 62:4.
The verse warns against delaying vows made to God, but the real punch is that He has "no pleasure in fools." This isn't just about being silly; it implies a deep folly in making promises to the Almighty and then treating them lightly, which God finds deeply displeasing.
Fresh from discussions about the vanity of endless talking, Solomon turns to the serious matter of vows made to God. He warns against hasty promises, especially those made in times of distress, urging listeners to fulfill them promptly because delaying or neglecting them is foolish and displeasing to God.
Fresh from discussions about the vanity of endless talking, Solomon turns to the serious matter of vows made to God. He warns against hasty promises, especially those made in times of distress, urging listeners to fulfill them promptly because delaying or neglecting them is foolish and displeasing to God.
"When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow." — The verse warns against delaying vows made to God, but the real punch is that He has "no pleasure in fools." This isn't just about being silly; it implies a deep folly in making promises to the Almig…
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Last reviewed October 2026