Ecclesiastes 2:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I sought {H8446} in mine heart {H3820} to give {H4900} myself {H1320} unto wine {H3196}, yet acquainting {H5090} mine heart {H3820} with wisdom {H2451}; and to lay hold {H270} on folly {H5531}, till I might see {H7200} what was that good {H2896} for the sons {H1121} of men {H120}, which they should do {H6213} under the heaven {H8064} all {H4557} the days {H3117} of their life {H2416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I searched my mind for how to gratify my body with wine and, with my mind still guiding me with wisdom, how to pursue foolishness; my object was to find out what was the best thing for people to do during the short time they have under heaven to live.

Berean Standard Bible

I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

American Standard Version

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 2:3 captures the Preacher's deliberate and systematic exploration into the nature of human happiness and purpose. Having previously investigated the pursuit of knowledge, he now turns to the realm of pleasure and folly, not in reckless abandonment, but with a calculated, almost scientific, intent. His goal is to discern what truly constitutes "good" for humanity in their transient existence "under the heaven," carefully balancing indulgence with the guiding principle of wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the Preacher's grand "experiment" to discover lasting meaning and satisfaction in life "under the heaven," a recurring motif throughout the book. It immediately follows his exploration of wisdom and knowledge in [Ecclesiastes 1](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes 1 - The Vanity of Wisdom and Toil"), which he ultimately declared "vanity and a striving after wind" ([Ecclesiastes 1:17](/ecclesiastes/1-17 "Ecclesiastes 1:17 - Wisdom is Vexation")). Chapter 2 then systematically delves into various earthly pursuits—pleasure, wine, folly, great works, wealth—to test their capacity for bringing ultimate fulfillment. Verse 3 sets the stage for the Preacher's controlled immersion into the world of sensual gratification and irrationality, framed by his persistent application of wisdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, the Preacher's unparalleled wealth, power, and wisdom (cf. [1 Kings 4:29-34](/1_kings/4-29 "1 Kings 4:29-34 - Solomon's Wisdom and Riches")) provide the unique backdrop for this experiment. Unlike an ordinary person, he possessed the resources to fully pursue any form of pleasure or project without limitation. The ancient Near East, like any culture, had its forms of revelry and indulgence, and kings often engaged in such pursuits. However, the Preacher's approach is distinct: it's not mere hedonism but a philosophical inquiry. The phrase "under the heaven" or "under the sun" consistently defines the scope of his investigation as limited to the earthly, human experience, apart from direct divine revelation or eternal perspective.

* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 2:3 powerfully encapsulates several core themes of the book. The most prominent is **The Search for Ultimate Good**, as the Preacher explicitly states his aim to "see what was that good for the sons of men." This quest for *telos* or ultimate purpose drives the entire narrative. Closely related is the theme of **Controlled Experimentation**, as the Preacher does not blindly indulge but "acquaint[s] mine heart with wisdom," maintaining a critical, observant stance even amidst pleasure and folly. This highlights **The Role of Wisdom** not as an end in itself (as seen in [Ecclesiastes 1:18](/ecclesiastes/1-18 "Ecclesiastes 1:18 - More Wisdom, More Grief")), but as an essential tool for discernment and analysis in the face of life's experiences. Finally, the verse introduces the **Exploration of Pleasure and Folly** as primary avenues of investigation, symbolized by "wine" and "folly," which represent the spectrum of sensual gratification and irrational pursuits.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Hebrew, _tûwr'_):** From H8446, meaning "to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring; search (out), seek, (e-) spy (out)." This word emphasizes a deliberate, systematic, and investigative journey. The Preacher is not merely stumbling into pleasure but is actively scouting, exploring, and surveying the landscape of human experience with a specific objective in mind, much like a merchant or a spy on a mission.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From H2451, meaning "wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisely, wit." This term is central to Ecclesiastes. Here, it signifies the Preacher's intellectual capacity and discernment, which he consciously retains and applies even as he ventures into areas that might seem antithetical to it. It's the lens through which he observes and evaluates his experiences, ensuring his experiment remains analytical rather than purely hedonistic.
* **folly (Hebrew, _çiklûwth'_):** From H5531, meaning "silliness; folly, foolishness." This word denotes a lack of sense, irrationality, or even madness. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it often refers to pursuits that are ultimately meaningless or destructive, lacking any lasting value or purpose. The Preacher's decision to "lay hold on folly" indicates a deliberate engagement with what is purposeless or even absurd, to see if it, paradoxically, holds the key to meaning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine":** The Preacher initiates a conscious, internal decision (in his "heart," _lêb_) to immerse himself in the experience of wine, symbolizing sensual pleasure, revelry, and perhaps even intoxication. This is not accidental but a chosen path of exploration.
* **"yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom":** This crucial clause introduces the paradox and the controlled nature of the experiment. Despite indulging in wine, the Preacher maintains a connection with wisdom (_chokmâh_). The Hebrew verb for "acquainting" (_nâhag_) implies guiding or leading, suggesting he leads his heart *with* wisdom, or guides himself *by* wisdom, even as he ventures into potentially intoxicating experiences. This prevents him from becoming utterly lost in depravity and allows for objective observation.
* **"and to lay hold on folly":** Extending his experiment beyond mere pleasure, the Preacher also decides to embrace "folly" (_çiklûwth_), representing irrational or meaningless pursuits. This signifies a comprehensive test, exploring both the seemingly pleasurable and the overtly absurd aspects of life to see if either holds the key to satisfaction.
* **"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":** This final clause articulates the ultimate objective of the entire experiment. The Preacher's pursuit of wine and folly is not an end in itself but a means to an end: to discover "that good" (_ṭôwb_)—the ultimate, lasting benefit or purpose—for humanity in their earthly existence ("under the heaven") throughout their limited lifespan.

#### Literary Devices
The verse exhibits several significant literary devices. **Paradox** is central, as the Preacher simultaneously pursues "wine" and "folly" while "acquainting mine heart with wisdom." This creates a tension between indulgence and intellectual control, highlighting the unique nature of his philosophical experiment. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "wine" to represent not just the beverage itself, but the broader category of sensual pleasures, revelry, and perhaps even intoxication. The Preacher's approach can also be seen as a form of **Experimentation/Observation**, where he acts as a participant-observer, systematically testing hypotheses about human happiness. This scientific metaphor underscores the Preacher's rigorous and analytical method in his quest for meaning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 2:3 profoundly resonates with the universal human quest for meaning and satisfaction. It portrays a deliberate, comprehensive attempt to find ultimate good within the confines of earthly experience, apart from explicit divine revelation. The Preacher's controlled experiment with pleasure and folly, while maintaining a grip on wisdom, highlights the inherent limitations of all "under the heaven" pursuits. No matter how thoroughly explored, or how intelligently observed, the Preacher will ultimately conclude that such endeavors, in isolation, cannot provide lasting fulfillment. This sets the stage for the book's ultimate theological conclusion: true purpose and joy are found only in fearing God and keeping His commandments, acknowledging a reality beyond the transient earthly realm.

* [Proverbs 4:7](/proverbs/4-7 "Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is the Principal Thing")
* [Ecclesiastes 12:13](/ecclesiastes/12-13 "Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 2:3 serves as a timeless mirror reflecting humanity's perpetual search for happiness and meaning. In our modern context, this quest often manifests in the relentless pursuit of consumerism, fleeting entertainment, career success, or personal gratification, all under the illusion that these external things will bring ultimate contentment. The Preacher's experiment, conducted with unparalleled resources and intellectual rigor, demonstrates that even the most exhaustive exploration of earthly pleasures and pursuits, even when guided by wisdom, ultimately falls short of providing lasting "good." This verse challenges us to examine where we are seeking our own "good" and whether those pursuits are truly capable of satisfying the deepest longings of our souls. It reminds us that true fulfillment is not found in what we *do* or *acquire* "under the heaven," but in a transcendent relationship and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "experiments" are you conducting in your own life to find happiness or meaning?**
* **In what ways do you find yourself pursuing "wine" (pleasure) or "folly" (meaningless pursuits) in the hope of finding satisfaction?**
* **How can you maintain a "heart acquainted with wisdom" even when engaging with the world's offerings?**
* **Where do you believe true, lasting "good" for humanity is ultimately found?**

### FAQ
**Was Solomon's experiment in Ecclesiastes 2:3 sinful or a model for Christian living?**

Answer: Solomon's experiment, as described in Ecclesiastes 2:3, was a controlled intellectual and experiential inquiry, not necessarily a model for Christian living in terms of embracing folly or excessive wine. The text explicitly states he maintained his "heart with wisdom," indicating a philosophical rather than a hedonistic pursuit. His aim was to systematically test the limits of earthly satisfaction, ultimately demonstrating their futility apart from God. While the methods involved experiences that could be sinful if pursued without wisdom (e.g., drunkenness), the Preacher's stated objective was a quest for truth about life "under the heaven." For a Christian, the lesson is not to replicate the experiment, but to learn from its conclusion: true satisfaction is found in God, not in earthly pursuits, as seen in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom").

**What does the phrase "under the heaven" signify in Ecclesiastes?**

Answer: The phrase "under the heaven" (or "under the sun," as it often appears) is a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes that defines the scope of the Preacher's investigation. It refers to the earthly realm, human experience, and all that exists and can be observed from a purely human perspective, apart from divine revelation or an eternal viewpoint. When the Preacher declares something "vanity under the heaven," he is stating that from a human, temporal perspective, without God, these things ultimately lack lasting meaning, purpose, or satisfaction. It sets the stage for the book's conclusion, which points beyond this limited earthly perspective to a God-centered view of life, as in [Ecclesiastes 12:13](/ecclesiastes/12-13 "Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Preacher's exhaustive search for "that good for the sons of men" in Ecclesiastes 2:3 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Preacher diligently explored every avenue of earthly pleasure and wisdom, only to declare it "vanity," Christ offers the true and lasting "good" that satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. Jesus is the embodiment of divine wisdom, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He did not need to "lay hold on folly" or "give himself unto wine" in an experimental quest, for He perfectly knew and perfectly lived out the will of God. The "good" that humanity seeks "under the heaven" is found not in earthly pursuits, but in the one who came "that they may have life, and have it abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), providing the eternal perspective and divine purpose that the Preacher, confined to his "under the heaven" observations, could only dimly perceive and ultimately declare elusive. In Christ, the search for meaning concludes, and true life begins.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 20:1

¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who knoweth what [is] good for man in [this] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Ecclesiastes 12:13

¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

Proverbs 31:4

[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Proverbs 31:5

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.