King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 2:3 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 2:3 in the King James Version says “I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till ... — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. to give: Heb. to draw my flesh with wine all: Heb. the number of the days of their life

Ecclesiastes 2:3 · KJV


Context

1

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

2

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

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. to give: Heb. to draw my flesh with wine all: Heb. the number of the days of their life

4

I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

5

I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine—Solomon describes a controlled experiment in hedonism with methodological rigor. He didn't become a drunkard but carefully explored whether wine (representing sensual pleasure) could provide meaning while simultaneously acquainting mine heart with wisdom—maintaining intellectual sobriety. The phrase to lay hold on folly means deliberately embracing what he knew was foolish to test it empirically.

His purpose: till I might see what was that good for the sons of men—discovering what truly benefits humanity during our brief life under the heaven. The experiment required his unique position: sufficient wealth and power to pursue any pleasure, sufficient wisdom to evaluate results objectively. His conclusion (developed through chapter 2): pleasure pursued as ultimate good proves futile.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's legendary wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34) enabled this philosophical experiment. His international trade brought exotic wines from across the ancient world. The phrase 'sons of men' (benei ha-adam) emphasizes human mortality—what's worth pursuing in our brief earthly existence? Solomon's systematic testing anticipated modern empiricism, though his method was experiential rather than observational.

Reflection Questions

  1. What attempts have you made to 'balance' worldly pleasure with godly wisdom, and how has that experiment proven unsustainable?
  2. How does Solomon's discovery that controlled hedonism still proves meaningless challenge the idea that 'moderation in all things' guarantees satisfaction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
תַּ֣רְתִּי1 of 26

I sought

H8446

to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring

וְלִבִּ֞י2 of 26

in mine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לִמְשׁ֥וֹךְ3 of 26

to give

H4900

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.)

בַּיַּ֖יִן4 of 26

unto wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

אֶת5 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּשָׂרִ֑י6 of 26

myself

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְלִבִּ֞י7 of 26

in mine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

נֹהֵ֤ג8 of 26

yet acquainting

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

בַּֽחָכְמָה֙9 of 26

with wisdom

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז10 of 26

and to lay hold

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

בְּסִכְל֔וּת11 of 26

on folly

H5531

silliness

עַ֣ד12 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶרְאֶ֗ה14 of 26

till I might see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵי15 of 26
H335

where? hence how?

זֶ֨ה16 of 26
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

ט֜וֹב17 of 26

what was that good

H2896

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

לִבְנֵ֤י18 of 26

for the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָאָדָם֙19 of 26

of men

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר20 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַעֲשׂוּ֙21 of 26

which they should do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תַּ֣חַת22 of 26
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם23 of 26

under the heaven

H8064

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 r

מִסְפַּ֖ר24 of 26

all

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

יְמֵ֥י25 of 26

the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חַיֵּיהֶֽם׃26 of 26

of their life

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 2:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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