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Ecclesiastes 2

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 2 of 12

1 I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with mirth. Therefore, consider with goodness. And behold, this also is vanity.

2 I said of laughter, it is mad, and of mirth, What does it do?

3 I searched in my heart how to draw out my flesh with wine, and leading my heart in wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men is, that which they should do under the heavens the number of days of their life.

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Chapter Summary

The vanity of human courses in the works of pleasure. Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event. Nothing better than joy in our labor.

Key Hebrew Words

הֶ֫בֶל vanity, vapor H1892 · TWOT 463a
עָמָל labor, toil H5999 · TWOT 1639a
חׇכְמָה wisdom H2451 · TWOT 647a
שִׂמְחָה mirth, joy H8057 · TWOT 2268b
סִכְלוּת folly H5531 · TWOT 1493c
חֵ֫לֶק portion H2506 · TWOT 669a

People & Context

The Preacher

The royal narrator who tests pleasure, building, wealth, and wisdom, finding all under the sun to be vanity

God

The giver of wisdom, knowledge, and joy; without whom none can truly eat or enjoy (vv. 24-26)

Timeline

Testing Mirth and Pleasure

The Preacher tests his heart with laughter, mirth, and wine to find what is good, only to realize that these pleasures are also vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3
The Pursuit of Great Works and Possessions

He undertakes massive projects, building houses, planting vineyards, making pools, and acquiring slaves, flocks, gold, singers, and concubines.

Ecclesiastes 2:4-10
The Emptiness of Material Success

Upon reflecting on all his works and labor, he realizes that it is all vanity, a striving after wind, and without true profit.

Ecclesiastes 2:11

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