As with other “better” sayings, Qoheleth gives two alternatives: the first is what he commends and the second is what he advises against. The advice offered is the same as we find in Deut 23.23. It is not a sin if we do not make a vow; the problem arises when a vow made is not fulfilled. The unique feature here is that Qoheleth uses one of his “better” sayings to pass on this advice. The person addressed is the person who is studying to be wise. To such people Qoheleth says “In matters of worship you can avoid problems if you are faithful to your commitments. If there is any doubt about your ability to fulfill a vow, then be wise and do not make the vow.”

In Hebrew this statement is addressed to you, but in some languages a different pronoun may be required. Or an impersonal statement with simple infinitives may be preferred, such as “It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.” It is also possible for the “better” saying to be placed in the middle of the sentence rather than at the beginning: “not to make a vow is better than making one and not completing it.” Even an imperative can be used: “Be like the wise person and do not make a vow, rather than like the fool who makes a vow and cannot fulfill it.”

Sometimes comparison statements with emphatic particles such as the English “at all” are a natural way to express this idea. These may be added since they only reinforce the meaning: “If you cannot fulfill the vow you make, then don’t make the vow at all. This is the wise thing to do.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .