Introduction to Ecclesiastes 4:17: Approaching the House of Elohim with Caution
Ecclesiastes 4:17 (5:1 in English Bibles) opens with a striking imperative: שְׁמֹ֣ר רַגְלֶיךָ—“guard your feet.” This instruction is not about physical safety, but spiritual posture. Qohelet urges the worshiper to approach the house of Elohim not casually, but mindfully. Through grammatical precision and metaphor, the verse contrasts the wise listener with the foolish offerer of sacrifices. In this article, we explore the imperative form, poetic parallelism, and theological depth of the expression שְׁמֹ֣ר רַגְלֶיךָ and the surrounding syntax.
שְׁמֹ֣ר רַגְלֶיךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר תֵּלֵךְ֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְקָרֹ֣וב לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח כִּֽי־אֵינָ֥ם יֹודְעִ֖ים לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות רָֽע׃
“Guard Your Feet”: Grammar and Imagery of שְׁמֹ֣ר רַגְלֶיךָ
1. שְׁמֹ֣ר – “Guard / Watch / Keep”
- Root: שָׁמַר – “to keep, guard, observe”
- Form: Qal imperative, masculine singular
The verb שְׁמֹ֣ר is a Qal imperative—a direct command to the listener. In Biblical Hebrew, this verb often appears in covenant contexts (“keep the commandments”), but here it takes on spatial-metaphorical force: guard your feet, meaning your approach, your path, your manner of coming before Elohim.
2. רַגְלֶיךָ – “Your feet”
- Form: Dual noun רֶגֶל + 2ms suffix
The use of “feet” is metaphorical. In Hebrew idiom, one’s feet represent conduct or direction—how one “walks.” Thus, “guard your feet” communicates: Be careful how you live and how you approach the holy place. This is not about sandals on sacred ground, but about reverent intentionality.
Syntax of Contrast: Listening vs. Sacrifice
1. כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר תֵּלֵךְ֙ – “when you go”
This subordinate clause introduces the temporal context. The instruction to guard your steps is framed within the act of going to the house of Elohim. The verb תֵּלֵךְ (Qal imperfect 2ms) suggests habitual or anticipated action. Every time you go—go mindfully.
2. וְקָרֹ֣וב לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ – “and draw near to listen”
- קָרֹ֣וב – Infinitive used adverbially: “it is better to draw near”
- לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ – Infinitive construct of שָׁמַע, “to listen”
Here, approaching to listen is set in contrast to the fool’s offering. Listening implies humility and openness—qualities that define proper worship. This phrase reinforces the verse’s theme: worship begins with ears, not hands.
3. מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח – “than the giving of the sacrifice of fools”
- מִתֵּ֥ת – Preposition מִן + infinitive construct נָתַן (“to give”)
- הַכְּסִילִים – “the fools”; masculine plural with definite article
- זָבַח – “sacrifice” (noun)
This prepositional phrase offers a value comparison: it is better to come to listen than to bring offerings like a fool. The irony is sharp—the fool thinks his ritual act has value, but he lacks understanding. The phrase exposes empty religiosity: sacrifice without attentiveness is folly.
4. כִּֽי־אֵינָ֥ם יֹודְעִ֖ים לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות רָֽע – “for they do not know how to do evil”
This final clause appears puzzling, but it’s likely sarcastic or ironic. The fools don’t realize that their supposed worship is actually offensive—a perversion of piety. In other words: they do evil, but are so ignorant they don’t know it’s evil.
“Guarding the Feet”: Why Grammar Matters in Ecclesiastes 4:17
The phrase שְׁמֹ֣ר רַגְלֶיךָ isn’t just poetic—it’s loaded with instruction and critique:
- Grammatically: Qal imperative + dual noun construct with suffix—direct, urgent, and personal
- Semantically: Uses “feet” metaphorically to speak of approach, attitude, and behavior
- Theologically: Reveals that Elohim desires listening over ritual, discernment over performance
- Literarily: The verse contrasts the wise worshiper with the ritualistic fool using parallel poetic lines
In a time when ritual might be mistaken for righteousness, Ecclesiastes 4:17 warns: Check your posture before you speak, sacrifice, or enter. Watch your step. You’re entering the presence of the living Elohim.
