Question:
50.4—“For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words” (Ecclesiastes 5:3). What does the first part of this verse mean? Does it truly have something to do with dreaming? And, keeping in mind the last half of this verse.…
Answer:
50.4—As is the case with everything Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, this is not a scientific explanation of dreams but his observation that dreams are often produced when a person is very busy. The KJV and JND translate the verse: “A dream cometh through the multitude of business, and a fool’s voice through a multitude of words.” One commentary puts it this way: “Just as a hyperactive mind often produces wild dreams, so a hyperactive mouth produces a torrent of foolish words, even in prayer” —William MacDonald.
Yes, as you say, in view of the fact that we “shall give account…in the day of judgment“ for “every idle [non-working] word that” we “speak” (Matthew 12:36), how important it is to keep in mind the last part of Ecclesiastes 5:3: “A fool’s voice is known by his many words.” And may we be sure to heed the advice Solomon gives in the previous verse: “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” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).