Ecclesiastes 2
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Commentaries
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(Ecc. 2:1-26) I said . . . heart-- (Luk 12:19). thee--my heart, I will test whether thou canst find that solid good in pleasure which was not in "worldly wisdom." But this also proves to be "vanity" (Isa 50:11).
Open source ↗I said in mine heart,.... He communed with his heart, he thought and reasoned within himself, and came to this resolution in his own mind; that since he could not find happiness in natural wisdom and knowledge, he would seek for it elsewhere, even in pleasure; in which, he observed, some men placed their happiness; or, however, sought for it there: or, "I said to my heart", as the Syriac version; Go to now; or, "go, I pray thee" (u) listen to what I am about to say, and pursue the track I shall now point out to thee; I will prove thee with mirth; with those things which will cause mirth, joy, and pleasure; and try whether any happiness can be enjoyed this way, since it could not be had in wisdom and knowledge. Jarchi and Aben Ezra render it, "I will mingle", wine with water, or with spices; or, "I will pour out", wine in plenty to drink of, "with joy", and to promote mirth: but the Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, interpret it as we do, and which sense Aben Ezra makes mention of; therefore enjoy pleasure; which man is naturally a lover of; he was so in his state of innocency, and this was the bait that was laid for him, and by which he was drawn into sin; and now he loves, lives in, and serves sinful pleasures; which are rather imaginary than real, and last but for a season, and end in bitterness: but such sordid lusts and pleasures are not here meant; Solomon was too wise and good a man to give into these, as the "summum bonum"; or ever to think there could be any happiness in them, or even to make a trial of them for that purpose: not criminal pleasures, or an impure, sottish, and epicurean life, are here intended; but manly, rational, and lawful pleasures, for no other are mentioned in the detail of particulars following; and, in the pursuit of the wh…
Open source ↗"I have said in mine heart: Up then, I will prove thee with mirth, and enjoy thou the good! And, lo, this also is vain." Speaking in the heart is not here merely, as at Ecc 1:16-17, speaking to the heart, but the words are formed into a direct address of the heart. The Targ. and Midrash obliterate this by interpreting as if the word were אנסּנּה, "I will try it" (Ecc 7:23). Jerome also, in rendering by vadam et affluam deliciis et fruar bonis, proceeds contrary to the usual reading of 'אן Niph. of נסך, vid., at Psa 2:6), as if this could mean, "I will pour over myself." It is an address of the heart, and ב is, as at Kg1 10:1, that of the means: I will try thee with mirth, to see whether thy hunger after satisfaction can be appeased with mirth. וּראה also is an address; Grtz sees here, contrary to the Gramm., an infin. continuing the בּשׂ; ūrēh, Job 10:15, is the connect. form of the particip. adj. rāěh; and if reēh could be the inf. after the forms naqqēh, hinnāqqēh, it would be the inf. absol., instead of which וּראות was to be expected. It is the imper.: See good, sinking thyself therein, i.e., enjoy a cheerful life. Elsewhere the author connects ראה less significantly with the accus. - obj., Ecc 5:17; Ecc 6:6; Ecc 2:24. This was his intention; but this experiment also to find out the summum bonum proves itself a failure: he found a life of pleasure to be a hollow life; that also, viz., devotedness to mirth, was to him manifestly vanity.
Open source ↗Solomon here, in pursuit of the summum bonum - the felicity of man, adjourns out of his study, his library, his elaboratory, his council-chamber, where he had in vain sought for it, into the park and the playhouse, his garden and his summer-house; he exchanges the company of the philosophers and grave senators for that of the wits and gallants, and the beaux-esprits, of his court, to try if he could find true satisfaction and happiness among them. Here he takes a great step downward, from the noble pleasures of the intellect to the brutal ones of sense; yet, if he resolve to make a thorough trial, he must knock at this door, because here a great part of mankind imagine they have found that which he was in quest of. I. He resolved to try what mirth would do and the pleasures of wit, whether he should be happy if he constantly entertained himself and others with merry stories and jests, banter and drollery; if he should furnish himself with all the pretty ingenious turns and repartees he could invent or pick up, fit to be laughed over, and all the bulls, and blunders, and foolish things, he could hear of, fit to be ridiculed and laughed at, so that he might be always in a merry humour. 1. This experiment made (Ecc 2:1): "Finding that in much wisdom is much grief, and that those who are serious are apt to be melancholy, I said in my heart" (to my heart), "Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth; I will try if that will give thee satisfaction." Neither the temper of his mind nor his outward condition had any thing in them to keep him from being merry, but both agreed, as did all other advantages, to further it; therefore he resolved to take a lease this way, and said, "Enjoy pleasure, and take thy fill of it; cast away care, and resolve to be merry." So a man may be, and ye…
Open source ↗2:1-11 The Teacher dismisses the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake as hollow. Even great achievements are a vapor.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נָסָה (nâçâh, H5254) — to test; by implication, to attempt שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׂחוֹק (sᵉchôwq, H7814) — laughter (in merriment or defiance) הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) זֹה (zôh, H2090) — this or that עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗תּוּר (tûwr, H8446) — to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially fortrade or reconnoitring לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… מָשַׁךְ (mâshak, H4900) — to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong,… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication נָהַג (nâhag, H5090) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) אָחַז (ʼâchaz, H270) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession) סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth, H5531) — silliness רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — a garden or vineyard
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גַּנָּה (gannâh, H1593) — a garden פַּרְדֵּס (pardêç, H6508) — a park נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בְּרֵכָה (bᵉrêkâh, H1295) — a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) צָמַח (tsâmach, H6779) — to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שִׁפְחָה (shiphchâh, H8198) — a female slave (as a member of the household) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗כָּנַס (kânaç, H3664) — to collect; hence, to enfold כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky סְגֻלָּה (çᵉgullâh, H5459) — wealth (as closely shut up) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing תַּעֲנוּג (taʻănûwg, H8588) — luxury בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) שִׁדָּה (shiddâh, H7705) — a wife (as mistress of the house)
Open source ↗גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand אָצַל (ʼâtsal, H680) — to separate; hence, to select, refuse, contract מָנַע (mânaʻ, H4513) — to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) שָׂמֵחַ (sâmêach, H8056) — blithe or gleeful עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
Open source ↗פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind עָמַל (ʻâmal, H5998) — to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth, H7469) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יִתְרוֹן (yithrôwn, H3504) — preeminence, gain שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched…
Open source ↗פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) הוֹלֵלָה (hôwlêlâh, H1947) — folly סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth, H5531) — silliness אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כְּבָר (kᵉbâr, H3528) — properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) יִתְרוֹן (yithrôwn, H3504) — preeminence, gain סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth, H5531) — silliness אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,…
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first מִקְרֶה (miqreh, H4745) — something met with, i.e. an accident or fortune קָרָה (qârâh, H7136) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.