Ecclesiastes 2:3

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.

Young's Literal Translation

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

2Of laughter I said, 'Foolish!' and of mirth, 'What [is] this it is doing?'

4I made great my works, I builded for me houses, I planted for me vineyards.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Genesis 47:9And Jacob saith unto Pharaoh, 'The days of the years of my sojournings [are] an hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not reached the days of the years of the life of my fathers, in the days of their sojournings.'

Job 14:14If a man dieth — doth he revive? All days of my warfare I wait, till my change come.

Proverbs 20:1Wine [is] a scorner — strong drink [is] noisy, And any going astray in it is not wise.

Proverbs 31:4Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.

Ecclesiastes 2:24There is nothing good in a man who eateth, and hath drunk, and hath shewn his soul good in his labour. This also I have seen that it [is] from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 6:12For who knoweth what [is] good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:2-12

Vanity of Worldly Pleasure. 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. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 2:3