Logos Bible Study

Ecclesiastes 2:4

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Futility of Materialism

2:4I increased my possessions:26

I built houses for myself;27

I planted vineyards for myself.

Read in Logos

Footnotes

  1. 26 Or “my works”; or “my accomplishments.” The term מַעֲשָׂי (ma’asay, “my works”) has been handled in two basic ways: (1) great works or projects, and (2) possessions. The latter assumes a metonymy, one’s effort standing for the possessions it produces. Both interpretations are reflected in the major English translations: “works” (, , , , , , , , ), “projects” (), and “possessions” (). This section (2:4–11) is unified and bracketed by the repetition of the verb גָּדַל (gadal, “to increase”) which occurs at the beginning (2:4) and end (2:9), and by the repetition of the root עשה (noun: “works” and verb: “to do, make, acquire”) which occurs throughout the section (2:4, 5, 6, 8, 11).
  2. 27 The expression for myself is repeated eight times in 2:4–8 to emphasize that Qoheleth did not deny himself any acquisition. He indulged himself in acquiring everything he desired. His vast resources as king allowed him the unlimited opportunity to indulge himself. He could have anything his heart desired, and he did.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

NLTNew Living Translation

I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

I accomplished great things. I built for myself houses; I planted for myself vineyards.

KJV 1900King James Version

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