Ecclesiastes 2:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

Complete Jewish Bible:

I made myself pools from which to water the trees springing up in the forest.

Berean Standard Bible:

I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.

American Standard Version:

I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

I made^{H6213} me pools^{H1295} of water^{H4325}, to water^{H8248} therewith the wood^{H3293} that bringeth forth^{H6779} trees^{H6086}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Ecclesiastes 2:6

Ecclesiastes 2:6 is a verse from a book in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. The book is a philosophical meditation on the meaning of life and the nature of human existence. In this verse, the author speaks of creating "pools of water" to nourish the growth of trees. This action reflects the theme of human labor and the pursuit of pleasure and wisdom, which are recurrent in Ecclesiastes.

The historical context of this verse may relate to the time of Solomon, who was known for his great wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. The reference to irrigation could be seen as a metaphor for the investment in infrastructure and the cultivation of resources to ensure prosperity and sustainability. It also illustrates the preoccupation with achieving something lasting and meaningful through one's work, a central concern of the author of Ecclesiastes.

In the broader context of the chapter, the verse is part of the author's exploration of the various endeavors he pursued in search of satisfaction and meaning. He speaks of indulging in pleasures, amassing wealth, and undertaking great projects, only to conclude that these achievements are fleeting and do not ultimately satisfy the deeper longings of the human heart. The "pools of water" in verse 6, therefore, symbolize the human effort to control and manipulate the environment for personal gain and pleasure, which the Teacher (the author of Ecclesiastes) evaluates in his quest to understand life "under the sun."

In summary, Ecclesiastes 2:6 reflects the themes of human achievement, the search for meaning through labor and pleasure, and the ultimate transience of such pursuits. The verse captures the essence of the Teacher's experiential journey, as he assesses the value of worldly endeavors and finds them wanting when considered apart from a relationship with God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1295
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּרֵכָה
   Transliteration: bᵉrêkâh
   Pronunciation: ber-ay-kaw'
   Description: from בָרַךְ; a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place); (fish-) pool.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4325
   There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַיִם
   Transliteration: mayim
   Pronunciation: mah'-yim
   Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
   
4. Strong's Number: H8248
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁקָה
   Transliteration: shâqâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3293
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַעַר
   Transliteration: yaʻar
   Pronunciation: yah'-ar
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees); (honey-) comb, forest, wood.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6779
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָמַח
   Transliteration: tsâmach
   Pronunciation: tsaw-makh'
   Description: a primitive root; to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); bear, bring forth, (cause to, make to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow (again, up), (cause to) spring (forth, up).
   
7. Strong's Number: H6086
   There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵץ
   Transliteration: ʻêts
   Pronunciation: ates
   Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.