Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
Don't let your words lead you into sin, and don't tell God's messenger that your promise was just a mistake. Why should God be angry because of what you say and destroy everything you've worked for?
The writer is warning that we shouldn't make careless promises to God and then try to excuse them as mistakes, because this angers God and can bring serious consequences.
📚 Historical Context
In the ancient Israelite context of King Solomon's time, as described in the Book of Ecclesiastes, people were warned about the serious consequences of making rash vows or promises to God during worship, since these were considered binding and could lead to sin if broken. This verse reflects the cultural emphasis on the weight of words spoken in God's presence, where vows were not taken lightly and could invoke divine judgment. The mention of an "angel" likely refers to a heavenly messenger or a priestly figure representing God, underscoring accountability in religious practices.
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