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.
Footnotes
- 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).
- 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.
The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press
In other versions
ESVEnglish Standard Version
I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles
NIVNew International Version (2011)
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.
CSBChristian Standard Bible
I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
NLTNew Living Translation
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
LEBThe Lexham English Bible
I accomplished great things. I built for myself houses; I planted for myself vineyards.
Copyright 2012 Lexham Press
KJV 1900King James Version
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
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