Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 2

Introduction

Overview

Ecclesiastes 2:1, The vanity of human courses in the works of pleasure; Ecclesiastes 2:12, Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event; Ecclesiastes 2:18, The vanity of human labour, in leaving it they know not to whom; Ecclesiastes 2:24, Nothing better than joy in our labour; but that is God’s gift.

Verse 1

said: Ecclesiastes 2:15, Ecclesiastes 1:16, Ecclesiastes 1:17, Ecclesiastes 3:17, Ecclesiastes 3:18, Psalms 10:6, Psalms 14:1, Psalms 27:8, Psalms 30:6, Psalms 30:7, Luke 12:19

Go to: Genesis 11:3, Genesis 11:4, Genesis 11:7, 2 Kings 5:5, Isaiah 5:5, James 4:13, James 5:1

I will: Ecclesiastes 8:15, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Isaiah 50:5, Isaiah 50:11, Luke 16:19, Luke 16:23, James 5:5, Titus 3:3, Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:8

Reciprocal: Psalms 127:2 - vain Ecclesiastes 2:25 - who can Ecclesiastes 7:25 - I applied mine heart Ecclesiastes 10:19 - feast Ecclesiastes 11:8 - All that

Verse 2

I said: Solomon is not speaking here of sober enjoyment of the things of the world, but of intemperate pleasure, whose two attendants, laughter and mirth, are introduced by a beautiful prosopopoeia, as two persons, whom he treats with the utmost contempt.

It is: Ecclesiastes 7:2-6, Proverbs 14:13, Isaiah 22:12, Isaiah 22:13, Amos 6:3-6, 1 Peter 4:2-4

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:36 - merry Ecclesiastes 7:6 - as Ecclesiastes 10:19 - feast Matthew 13:45 - seeking Luke 6:25 - laugh James 4:9 - let

Verse 3

sought: Ecclesiastes 1:17, 1 Samuel 25:36

give myself unto wine: Heb. draw my flesh with wine

yet: Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:5, Ephesians 5:18

and to lay: Ecclesiastes 7:18, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35, Matthew 6:24, 2 Corinthians 6:15-17

till: Ecclesiastes 6:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13

all: Heb. the number of, Genesis 47:9, Job 14:14, Psalms 90:9-12

Reciprocal: Psalms 4:6 - many Psalms 34:12 - that he Ecclesiastes 3:1 - under Ecclesiastes 6:11 - General 1 Peter 3:10 - see

Verse 4

made: Genesis 11:4, 2 Samuel 18:18, Daniel 4:30

I builded: Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 1 Kings 7:1, 1 Kings 7:2, 1 Kings 7:8-12, 1 Kings 9:1, 1 Kings 15:19, 1 Kings 10:19, 1 Kings 10:20, 2 Chronicles 8:1-6, 2 Chronicles 8:11, Psalms 49:11

I planted: 1 Chronicles 27:27, 2 Chronicles 26:10, Song of Solomon 1:14, Song of Solomon 7:12, Song of Solomon 8:11, Song of Solomon 8:12, Isaiah 5:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:17 - and he 2 Samuel 5:11 - they built 2 Chronicles 7:11 - all that came 2 Chronicles 8:6 - all that Solomon desired to build Proverbs 4:7 - with Ecclesiastes 2:18 - I hated Ecclesiastes 6:2 - so

Verse 5

me: Song of Solomon 4:12-16, Song of Solomon 5:1, Song of Solomon 6:2, Jeremiah 39:4

I planted: Genesis 2:8, Genesis 2:9, Luke 17:27-29

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:1 - thirteen years 1 Kings 21:2 - a garden of herbs Song of Solomon 4:13 - are

Verse 6

pools: Nehemiah 2:14, Song of Solomon 7:4

to water: Psalms 1:3, Jeremiah 17:8

Reciprocal: Song of Solomon 4:15 - fountain

Verse 7

servants: 1 Kings 9:20-22, Ezra 2:58, Nehemiah 7:57

and had: Genesis 17:12, Genesis 17:13

servants born in my house: Heb. sons of my house

also: Genesis 13:2, 2 Kings 3:4, 1 Chronicles 27:29-31, 2 Chronicles 26:10, 2 Chronicles 32:27-29, Job 1:3, Job 42:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:14 - born Genesis 15:3 - born Genesis 30:43 - General Exodus 21:4 - shall be her Jeremiah 2:14 - he a homeborn

Verse 8

silver: 1 Kings 9:14, 1 Kings 9:28, 1 Kings 10:10, 1 Kings 14:21, 1 Kings 14:22, 1 Kings 14:27, 2 Chronicles 9:11, 2 Chronicles 9:15-21

men singers: 2 Samuel 19:35, Ezra 2:65

musical instruments: etc. Heb. musical instrument and instruments, 1 Chronicles 25:1, 1 Chronicles 25:6, Job 21:11, Job 21:12, Psalms 150:3-5, Daniel 3:5, Daniel 3:7, Daniel 3:15, Amos 6:5, The difficult words shiddah weshiddoth are variously rendered. The LXX have ןיםןקןןם ךבי ןיםןקןבע, "male and female cup-bearers," with which the Syriac and Arabic and Parkhurst agree; Aquila, ךץכיךןם ךבי ךץכיךיב, "a cup and smaller cups;" Jerome, scyphos et urceolos, Vulgate urceos), "goblets and pots;" Targum, "warm and cold baths;" others, as M. Desvoeux, "male and female captives;" others, "cooks and confectioners;" others, "a species of musical compositions," derived from Sido, a celebrated Phoenician woman, to whom Sanchoniatho attributes the invention of music; but others, with more probability, "wives and concubines;" and siddoth may be in this sense synonymous with the Arabic seedat, domina, conjux from sada, in Conj. V. conjugium inivit. Of the former, Solomon had three hundred, and of the latter, seven hundred; and if they are not mentioned here they are not mentioned at all, which is wholly unaccountable.

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 8:18 - took thence Psalms 39:6 - he heapeth Daniel 6:18 - and passed

Verse 9

Ecclesiastes 1:16, 1 Kings 3:12, 1 Kings 10:7, 1 Kings 10:23, 1 Chronicles 29:25, 2 Chronicles 1:1, 2 Chronicles 9:22, 2 Chronicles 9:23

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 1:12 - such as none

Verse 10

whatsoever: Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 6:9, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Genesis 3:6, Genesis 6:2, Judges 14:2, Job 31:1, Psalms 119:37, Proverbs 23:5, 1 John 2:16

my heart rejoiced: Ecclesiastes 2:22, Ecclesiastes 5:18, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Psalms 128:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 9:1 - all Solomon's 1 Kings 9:19 - that which Solomon desired 2 Chronicles 7:11 - all that came Proverbs 14:13 - General Proverbs 15:16 - great Proverbs 27:20 - so Ecclesiastes 1:17 - I perceived

Verse 11

I looked: Ecclesiastes 1:14, Genesis 1:31, Exodus 39:43, 1 John 2:16, 1 John 2:17

behold: Ecclesiastes 2:17-23, Ecclesiastes 1:3, Ecclesiastes 1:14, Habakkuk 2:13, 1 Timothy 6:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:17 - cursed 2 Chronicles 7:11 - all that came Psalms 39:5 - verily Psalms 119:96 - I have seen Proverbs 14:13 - General Proverbs 15:16 - great Proverbs 27:20 - so Ecclesiastes 1:2 - General Ecclesiastes 1:8 - full Ecclesiastes 1:17 - I perceived Ecclesiastes 3:9 - General Ecclesiastes 3:22 - nothing Ecclesiastes 4:16 - this Ecclesiastes 5:10 - this Ecclesiastes 6:9 - this Jeremiah 2:13 - broken cisterns

Verse 12

I turned: Ecclesiastes 1:17, Ecclesiastes 7:25, even that which hath already been done, or, in those things which have been already done, Ecclesiastes 2:25

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 9:11 - returned

Verse 13

I saw: Ecclesiastes 7:11, Ecclesiastes 7:12, Ecclesiastes 9:16, Proverbs 4:5-7, Proverbs 16:16, Malachi 3:18, Malachi 4:1, Malachi 4:2

that wisdom excelleth folly: Heb. that there is an excellency in wisdom more than in folly, etc

light: Ecclesiastes 11:7, Psalms 119:105, Psalms 119:130, Proverbs 4:18, Proverbs 4:19, Matthew 6:23, Luke 11:34, Luke 11:35, Ephesians 5:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:4 - that Ecclesiastes 8:1 - as the Jeremiah 9:23 - wise Daniel 6:3 - an

Verse 14

wise: Ecclesiastes 8:1, Ecclesiastes 10:2, Ecclesiastes 10:3, Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 17:24, 1 John 2:11

one: Ecclesiastes 9:1-3, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Ecclesiastes 9:16, Psalms 19:10, Psalms 49:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 10:21 - darkness Psalms 82:5 - walk Ecclesiastes 6:8 - what hath the wise Ecclesiastes 8:5 - a wise Ecclesiastes 8:14 - there be just Ecclesiastes 9:2 - alike John 11:10 - General

Verse 15

even to me: Heb. to me

even to me: and why, Ecclesiastes 1:16, Ecclesiastes 1:18, 1 Kings 3:12

Then I: Ecclesiastes 2:1, Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:14

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:33 - as a fool dieth Ecclesiastes 7:25 - the reason Ecclesiastes 9:11 - but Ecclesiastes 11:8 - All that 1 Corinthians 15:55 - is thy victory

Verse 16

there is: Ecclesiastes 1:11, Exodus 1:6, Exodus 1:8, Psalms 88:12, Psalms 103:16, Malachi 3:16

how: Ecclesiastes 6:8, 2 Samuel 3:33, Psalms 49:10, Hebrews 9:27

Reciprocal: Psalms 73:4 - no Ecclesiastes 3:19 - that which Ecclesiastes 8:10 - they were Ecclesiastes 9:5 - for the Isaiah 14:10 - Art thou also 1 Corinthians 15:55 - is thy victory

Verse 17

I hated: Numbers 11:15, 1 Kings 19:4, Job 3:20-22, Job 7:15, Job 7:16, Job 14:13, Jeremiah 20:14-18, Jonah 4:3, Jonah 4:8, Philippians 1:23-25

work: Ecclesiastes 1:14, Ecclesiastes 3:16, Ezekiel 3:14, Habakkuk 1:3

for: Ecclesiastes 2:11, Ecclesiastes 2:22, Ecclesiastes 6:9, Psalms 89:47

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:17 - cursed Psalms 39:6 - surely Ecclesiastes 1:2 - General Ecclesiastes 2:21 - whose Ecclesiastes 4:2 - General Ecclesiastes 4:3 - who Ecclesiastes 4:16 - this Ecclesiastes 5:10 - this Ecclesiastes 11:8 - All that Ecclesiastes 12:8 - General Luke 14:26 - hate John 12:25 - hateth

Verse 18

I hated: Ecclesiastes 2:4-9, Ecclesiastes 1:13, Ecclesiastes 4:3, Ecclesiastes 5:18, Ecclesiastes 9:9

taken: Heb. laboured

I should: Ecclesiastes 2:26, Ecclesiastes 5:13, Ecclesiastes 5:14, 1 Kings 11:11-13, Psalms 17:14, Psalms 39:6, Psalms 49:10, Luke 12:20, Luke 16:27, Luke 16:28, Acts 20:29, Acts 20:30, 1 Corinthians 3:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:8 - a new king 1 Kings 14:26 - the shields of gold 2 Chronicles 6:10 - I am risen Esther 8:1 - give the house Esther 8:2 - Esther set Job 14:21 - he knoweth it not Job 20:22 - the fulness Job 21:21 - For what Proverbs 15:16 - great Proverbs 17:25 - General Proverbs 19:13 - foolish Proverbs 27:11 - be wise Ecclesiastes 2:21 - whose Ecclesiastes 5:10 - this Ecclesiastes 9:6 - have they Daniel 11:4 - and shall be Zechariah 9:6 - General

Verse 19

who knoweth: Ecclesiastes 3:22, 1 Kings 12:14-20, 1 Kings 14:25-28, 2 Chronicles 10:13-16, 2 Chronicles 12:9, 2 Chronicles 12:10

wise under: Ecclesiastes 9:13, Luke 16:8, James 1:17, James 3:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:8 - a new king 1 Samuel 8:3 - his sons 1 Kings 14:26 - the shields of gold 2 Chronicles 6:10 - I am risen 2 Chronicles 10:14 - My father 2 Chronicles 33:3 - he built again Esther 8:1 - give the house Esther 8:2 - Esther set Job 14:21 - he knoweth it not Job 21:21 - For what Psalms 49:10 - leave Proverbs 10:1 - A wise Proverbs 17:25 - General Proverbs 19:13 - foolish Proverbs 23:24 - father Ecclesiastes 1:2 - General Ecclesiastes 1:3 - under Ecclesiastes 11:8 - All that Jeremiah 9:23 - wise Daniel 11:4 - and shall be

Verse 20

Genesis 43:14, Job 17:11-15, Psalms 39:6, Psalms 39:7, 1 Corinthians 15:19, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Reciprocal: Psalms 127:2 - vain Ecclesiastes 3:19 - for Ecclesiastes 7:25 - I applied mine heart

Verse 21

whose: Ecclesiastes 2:17, Ecclesiastes 2:18, Ecclesiastes 9:18, 2 Chronicles 31:20, 2 Chronicles 31:21, 2 Chronicles 33:2-9, 2 Chronicles 34:2, 2 Chronicles 35:18, 2 Chronicles 36:5-10, Jeremiah 22:15, Jeremiah 22:17

leave: Heb. give

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:20 - life Psalms 39:6 - surely Psalms 49:10 - leave Ecclesiastes 1:2 - General Ecclesiastes 4:4 - This is Ecclesiastes 11:8 - All that Jeremiah 2:13 - broken cisterns

Verse 22

hath man: Ecclesiastes 1:3, Ecclesiastes 3:9, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Ecclesiastes 5:11, Ecclesiastes 5:17, Ecclesiastes 6:7, Ecclesiastes 6:8, Ecclesiastes 8:15, Proverbs 16:26, 1 Timothy 6:8

and of the: Ecclesiastes 4:6, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Psalms 127:2, Matthew 6:11, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:34, Matthew 16:26, Luke 12:22, Luke 12:29, Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:17 - in sorrow Job 5:7 - trouble Ecclesiastes 2:10 - my heart rejoiced Ecclesiastes 2:17 - for Ecclesiastes 5:16 - a sore Ecclesiastes 6:9 - this Matthew 11:28 - all

Verse 23

all: Genesis 47:9, Job 5:7, Job 14:1, Psalms 90:7-10, Psalms 90:15, Psalms 127:2

his heart: Ecclesiastes 5:12, Esther 6:1, Job 7:13, Job 7:14, Psalms 6:6, Psalms 6:7, Psalms 32:4, Psalms 77:2-4, Daniel 6:18, Acts 14:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:17 - in sorrow Ecclesiastes 1:2 - General Ecclesiastes 3:9 - General Ecclesiastes 4:8 - it is Ecclesiastes 5:16 - a sore Ecclesiastes 6:9 - this Ecclesiastes 7:15 - have I Ecclesiastes 8:16 - there is that Matthew 11:28 - all

Verse 24

nothing: Ecclesiastes 3:12, Ecclesiastes 3:13, Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 5:18, Ecclesiastes 8:15, Ecclesiastes 9:7-9, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ecclesiastes 11:10, Deuteronomy 12:12, Deuteronomy 12:18, Nehemiah 8:10, Acts 14:17, 1 Timothy 6:17

make his soul enjoy good: or, delight his senses

that it: Ecclesiastes 3:13, Ecclesiastes 5:19, Ecclesiastes 6:2, Malachi 2:2, Luke 12:19, Luke 12:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:15 - fed me Ruth 3:7 - his heart 1 Kings 4:20 - eating 1 Chronicles 29:22 - eat and drink Ecclesiastes 6:9 - Better Ecclesiastes 9:9 - for Jeremiah 22:15 - eat 1 Corinthians 7:31 - use 1 Corinthians 15:32 - let 1 Timothy 6:8 - General

Verse 25

who can: Ecclesiastes 2:1-12, 1 Kings 4:21-24

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:15 - fed me Ecclesiastes 2:12 - I turned 1 Corinthians 7:31 - use

Verse 26

in his sight: Heb. before him, Genesis 7:1, Luke 1:6

wisdom: 2 Chronicles 31:20, 2 Chronicles 31:21, Proverbs 3:13-18, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 3:11, John 16:24, Romans 14:17, Romans 14:18, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 1:31, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Colossians 1:9-12, Colossians 3:16, Colossians 3:17, James 3:17

to the sinner: Job 27:16, Job 27:17, Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 28:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:38 - bring Deuteronomy 12:25 - when 1 Kings 4:29 - God 2 Chronicles 19:11 - the good Job 32:8 - the inspiration Job 38:36 - Who hath put Psalms 37:16 - General Psalms 39:6 - he heapeth Psalms 49:10 - leave Ecclesiastes 1:2 - General Ecclesiastes 1:8 - full Ecclesiastes 1:14 - General Ecclesiastes 2:18 - I should Ecclesiastes 3:10 - General Ecclesiastes 4:4 - This is Ecclesiastes 4:16 - this Ecclesiastes 5:10 - this Ecclesiastes 5:14 - those Ecclesiastes 7:26 - whoso pleaseth God Ecclesiastes 9:2 - as is Ecclesiastes 11:8 - All that Isaiah 23:18 - for them Jeremiah 2:13 - broken cisterns Daniel 1:17 - God Matthew 6:19 - General 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - in the 2 Peter 3:15 - according