Ecclesiastes 2:3New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— I explored with my mind [how] to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding [me] wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— I searched in mine heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, mine heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh,—but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where [is] this—the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe to wine, and to leade mine heart in wisdome, and to take holde of follie, till I might see where is that goodnesse of the children of men, which they enioy vnder the sunne: the whole nomber of the dayes of their life.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe vnto wine, (yet acquainting mine heart with wisedome) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sonnes of men, which they should doe vnder the heauen all the dayes of their life.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— I thought in my heart to give myself to wine, but my heart reasoned with wisdom; and I laid hold upon understanding, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their lives.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— And I examined whether my heart would excite my flesh as [with] wine, (though my heart guided [me] in wisdom,) and [I desired] to lay hold of mirth, until I should see of what kind is the good to the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their life.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. |
I sought
8446 {8446} Primeתּוּרtuwr{toor}
A primitive root; to meander (causatively guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring.
z8804 <8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Perfect (See H8816) Count - 12562
in mine heart
3820 {3820} Primeלֵבleb{labe}
A form of H3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.
to give
4900 {4900} Primeמשׁךְmashak{maw-shak'}
A primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.).
z8800 <8800> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Infinitive (See H8812) Count - 4888
x853 (0853) Complementאֵת'eth{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
myself
1320 {1320} Primeבָּשָׂרbasar{baw-sawr'}
From H1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension body, person; also (by euphemism) the pudenda of a man.
unto wine,
3196 {3196} Primeיַיִןyayin{yah'-yin}
From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication intoxication.
yet acquainting
5090 {5090} Primeנָהַגnahag{naw-hag'}
A primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), that is, lead, carry away; reflexively to proceed (that is, impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh.
z8802 <8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Participle Active (See H8814) Count - 5386
mine heart
3820 {3820} Primeלֵבleb{labe}
A form of H3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.
with wisdom;
2451 {2451} Primeחָכְמָהchokmah{khok-maw'}
From H2449; wisdom (in a good sense).
and to lay hold
270 {0270} Primeאָחַז'achaz{aw-khaz'}
A primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession).
z8800 <8800> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Infinitive (See H8812) Count - 4888
on folly,
5531
till
x5704 (5704) Complementעַד`ad{ad}
Properly the same as H5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or conjugation; especially with a preposition); as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space ( even unto) or time ( during, while, until) or degree ( equally with).
x834 (0834) Complementאֲשֶׁר'asher{ash-er'}
A primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as adverb and conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
I might see
7200 {7200} Primeרָאָהra'ah{raw-aw'}
A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitively, intransitively and causatively).
z8799 <8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Imperfect (See H8811) Count - 19885
what
x335 (0335) Complementאֵי'ay{ah'ee}
Perhaps from H0370; where? hence how?.
[ was] that
x2088 (2088) Complementזֶהzeh{zeh}
A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.
good
2896 {2896} Primeטוֹבtowb{tobe}
From H2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural ( good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb ( well).
for the sons
1121 {1121} Primeבֵּןben{bane}
From H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like H0001, H0251, etc.).
of men,
120 {0120} Primeאָדָם'adam{aw-dawm'}
From H0119; ruddy, that is, a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.).
which
x834 (0834) Complementאֲשֶׁר'asher{ash-er'}
A primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as adverb and conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
they should do
6213 {6213} Primeעָשָׂה`asah{aw-saw'}
A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.
z8799 <8799> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851) Mood - Imperfect (See H8811) Count - 19885
under
x8478 (8478) Complementתַּחַתtachath{takh'-ath}
From the same as H8430; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
the heaven
8064 {8064} Primeשָׁמַיִםshamayim{shaw-mah'-yim}
The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve).
all
4557 {4557} Primeמִסְפָּרmicpar{mis-pawr'}
From H5608; a number, definitely (arithmetical) or indefinitely (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration.
the days
3117 {3117} Primeיוֹםyowm{yome}
From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literally (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverbially).
of their life.
2416 {2416} Primeחַיchay{khah'-ee}
From H2421; alive; hence raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively. |
Ecclesiastes 2:3-11
_ _ Illustration more at large of Ecclesiastes 2:1, Ecclesiastes 2:2.
_ _ I sought — I resolved, after search into many plans.
_ _ give myself unto wine — literally, “to draw my flesh,” or “body to wine” (including all banquetings). Image from a captive drawn after a chariot in triumph (Romans 6:16, Romans 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:2); or, one “allured” (2 Peter 2:18, 2 Peter 2:19).
_ _ yet acquainting ... wisdom — literally, “and my heart (still) was behaving, or guiding itself,” with wisdom [Gesenius]. Maurer translates: “was weary of (worldly) wisdom.” But the end of Ecclesiastes 2:9 confirms English Version.
_ _ folly — namely, pleasures of the flesh, termed “mad,” Ecclesiastes 2:2.
_ _ all the days, etc. — (See Margin and Ecclesiastes 6:12; Job 15:20). |
Ecclesiastes 2:3
To wine — To gratify myself with delicious meats and drinks. Yet — Yet resolving to use my wisdom, that I might try whether I could not arrive at satisfaction, by mixing wine and wisdom together. To lay hold — To pursue sensual pleasures, which was my folly. 'Till — 'Till I might find out the true way to contentment and satisfaction, during this mortal life. |
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I sought in my heart to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with (b) wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
(b) Even though I gave myself to pleasures, yet I thought to keep wisdom and the fear of God in my heart, and govern my affairs by the same. |
- sought:
Ecclesiastes 1:17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
1 Samuel 25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart [was] merry within him, for he [was] very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
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- give myself unto wine:
- Heb. draw my flesh with wine
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- yet:
Proverbs 20:1 Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs 31:4-5 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: ... Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
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- and to lay:
Ecclesiastes 7:18 [It is] good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Proverbs 20:1 Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs 23:29-35 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? ... They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
2 Corinthians 6:15-17 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
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- till:
Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knoweth what [is] good for man in [this] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
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- all:
- Heb. the number of,
Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live [again]? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Psalms 90:9-12 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale [that is told]. ... So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.
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