Ecclesiastes 2:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 2:6 is a vivid illustration of the Preacher's (traditionally King Solomon's) exhaustive pursuit of satisfaction through worldly achievements, specifically detailing his immense landscaping and agricultural projects. This verse describes the creation of sophisticated irrigation systems—man-made pools and cultivated forests—designed to provide beauty, abundance, and a sense of control, all part of his grand experiment to find lasting meaning and joy "under the sun." Ultimately, this endeavor, like all his others, would prove to be futile and fleeting, contributing to the book's overarching theme of the vanity of life apart from God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 2:6 is situated within the Preacher's autobiographical account of his personal quest for meaning, a systematic exploration of various earthly pursuits. Following his declaration in [Ecclesiastes 2:4](/ecclesiastes/2-4 "Ecclesiastes 2:4 - Solomon's Great Works") that he "made me great works," he meticulously details these endeavors. The preceding verses describe his indulgence in pleasure, laughter, wine, and grand architectural projects ([Ecclesiastes 2:1-5](/ecclesiastes/2-1 "Ecclesiastes 2:1-5 - The Pursuit of Pleasure and Grandeur")). This specific verse highlights his sophisticated agricultural and horticultural achievements, immediately followed by the acquisition of servants, vast herds, silver, gold, and musical entertainment ([Ecclesiastes 2:7-8](/ecclesiastes/2-7 "Ecclesiastes 2:7-8 - Accumulation of Wealth and Indulgences")). The cumulative effect of this detailed list is to demonstrate the unparalleled extent of his resources and ambition, setting the stage for his profound conclusion in [Ecclesiastes 2:11](/ecclesiastes/2-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:11 - The Vanity of All Works") that all these efforts were ultimately "vanity and vexation of spirit."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Israel during the reign of King Solomon, a period renowned for its immense wealth, political influence, and architectural advancements. Royal gardens and elaborate water systems were hallmarks of power, luxury, and technological sophistication in the Ancient Near East. Rulers would often construct vast pleasure gardens, sometimes incorporating exotic plants and animals, as a display of their dominion over nature and their ability to create an earthly paradise. The creation of "pools of water" implies advanced engineering for irrigation, essential in a semi-arid climate like Judah. These projects were not merely for sustenance but were status symbols, reflecting a king's ability to command resources, labor, and knowledge to shape his environment according to his desires, much like the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon, though those were later. This context underscores the unparalleled scale of Solomon's endeavors, making his eventual declaration of their vanity all the more impactful.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes of Ecclesiastes. Firstly, it highlights the **Grand Scale of Earthly Endeavor**, showcasing the immense resources and ambition of the Preacher. He was not merely planting a small garden but undertaking large-scale forestry and agricultural projects, requiring significant infrastructure like man-made pools and sophisticated irrigation. This demonstrates the extent to which human beings can go in creating their own paradises and pursuing self-sufficiency, often believing that such achievements will bring ultimate contentment. Secondly, it speaks to the **Pursuit of Self-Sufficiency and Control**. By creating his own water sources and cultivating vast forests, the Preacher sought to establish an environment of abundance, seemingly independent of external factors or even divine provision. This reflects a deep-seated human tendency to control circumstances, accumulate resources, and find security in one's own efforts and creations, rather than relying on God. Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, it implicitly contributes to the overarching theme of **The Illusion of Lasting Satisfaction**. The reader, knowing the Preacher's ultimate conclusion, understands that even these magnificent, meticulously crafted gardens, symbols of wealth and power, ultimately failed to provide the lasting joy or meaning he desperately sought, reinforcing the book's central message that all such pursuits "under the sun" are [vanity](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pools (Hebrew, _bᵉrêkâh'_):** From a root meaning "to kneel" (as camels at a resting place), this term refers to artificial reservoirs, cisterns, or large ponds. Its use here emphasizes that these were not natural bodies of water but deliberately constructed, engineered features, highlighting the Preacher's active role in shaping his environment and the immense resources he commanded to do so. It speaks to human ingenuity and the desire to control natural resources for specific purposes, whether for agriculture, aesthetics, or a combination of both.
* **wood (Hebrew, _yaʻar'_):** Derived from a root likely meaning "to thicken with verdure," this word denotes a copse of bushes or, more significantly, a forest. This is not merely a small orchard or garden plot but suggests a large, cultivated woodland or extensive parkland. The scale implied by "wood" (forest) in conjunction with "pools of water" (reservoirs) paints a picture of a massive, ambitious landscaping project, far beyond the needs of a typical estate, indicative of royal extravagance and a desire for a self-contained, abundant environment.
* **made (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root is broad in meaning, encompassing "to do or make" in the widest sense. In this context, it signifies intentional creation, construction, and execution. The Preacher actively "made" these pools and cultivated the wood, underscoring his agency, power, and the deliberate nature of his grand experiments. It highlights the human capacity for immense labor, planning, and achievement, setting the stage for the subsequent evaluation of whether such industriousness ultimately yields lasting satisfaction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I made me pools of water,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the Preacher's agency ("I made") and the artificial, constructed nature of his projects. The "pools of water" (Hebrew: _berechot mayim_) were not natural springs but man-made reservoirs, signifying a deliberate and extensive engineering feat. This indicates a massive investment of wealth, labor, and planning to secure a water supply for large-scale irrigation, a testament to his power and resources.
* **"to water therewith the wood"**: The purpose of these pools is explicitly stated: to irrigate "the wood." "Wood" (Hebrew: _ya'ar_) here refers to a forest or extensive woodland, not just a small grove. This clause reveals the scale of the Preacher's ambition—he was cultivating vast tracts of land, transforming a natural landscape into a managed, productive, or aesthetically pleasing environment. The act of "watering" (Hebrew: _shaqah_) implies a continuous, systematic irrigation system, further emphasizing the sophisticated nature of the undertaking.
* **"that bringeth forth trees:"**: This final phrase clarifies the ultimate outcome or purpose of watering the "wood"—to enable it to "bring forth trees" (Hebrew: _tsamach ets_). This indicates either the growth of new trees or the sustained flourishing of existing ones, likely for timber, fruit, or simply for their beauty and shade in a pleasure garden. The phrase underscores the Preacher's desire to create a self-sustaining, abundant, and controlled environment, a miniature paradise under his own dominion, all in his relentless pursuit of earthly fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 2:6 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning. **Hyperbole** is evident in the sheer scale implied by "pools of water" and "wood that bringeth forth trees," suggesting projects of immense proportion that would be extraordinary even for a king. This exaggeration serves to emphasize the Preacher's unparalleled resources and the exhaustive nature of his search for meaning. There is also a strong element of **Symbolism** at play; the meticulously engineered pools and cultivated forests symbolize humanity's attempt to create a perfect, self-sufficient world, independent of external factors or divine provision. These man-made paradises represent the human desire for control, abundance, and aesthetic pleasure as sources of ultimate satisfaction. Furthermore, the verse functions as a setup for **Irony**, though the irony is fully realized only in the broader context of the book. While the verse describes a magnificent achievement, the reader familiar with Ecclesiastes knows that these grand projects, despite their beauty and scale, ultimately failed to provide the lasting joy and meaning the Preacher sought, rendering them "vanity" in the end.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 2:6, while describing a seemingly mundane act of cultivation, profoundly speaks to the human condition and our innate search for meaning. The Preacher's grand projects, including these magnificent irrigated forests, represent humanity's relentless pursuit of happiness, security, and significance through earthly endeavors, wealth, and control over our environment. The theological implication is clear: even the most impressive human achievements, meticulously planned and executed with vast resources, are ultimately insufficient to satisfy the deep spiritual longings of the soul. True and lasting contentment cannot be engineered or acquired; it must be received from a source beyond ourselves. This verse thus serves as a powerful reminder that while we are called to be good stewards of creation and to work diligently, our ultimate hope and satisfaction must not be anchored in the temporary and fleeting realities "under the sun," but in the eternal God who alone provides true wisdom and purpose.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds")
* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 2:6 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting our own contemporary pursuits of fulfillment. In an age of unprecedented technological advancement and material accumulation, we often find ourselves cultivating our own "pools of water" and "forests"—whether through career achievements, financial security, personal brand building, or the relentless pursuit of comfort and pleasure. We invest immense time, energy, and resources into creating what we hope will be our personal paradises, believing that if we can just control enough, acquire enough, or achieve enough, we will finally find lasting satisfaction. However, the wisdom of the Preacher challenges us to critically examine where our deepest longings are truly being directed. This verse encourages us to appreciate human ingenuity and the beauty of creation, but to always remember that true and lasting satisfaction, and the ultimate purpose of our existence, are found not in any earthly endeavor, however grand or beautiful, but in a relationship with God. It prompts us to ask whether our "great works" are being built on a foundation that will endure or whether they are merely elaborate attempts to fill a God-shaped void with temporary pleasures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek my satisfaction and security in life? Is it in my achievements, possessions, or relationships, or is it in God?**
* **How do I balance diligent work and responsible stewardship with a recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty and provision?**
* **What "pools of water" or "forests" am I trying to cultivate in my life that might be diverting me from true, lasting fulfillment in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of Solomon's grand projects, like those described in Ecclesiastes 2:6?**

Answer: The Preacher, traditionally identified as King Solomon, undertook these grand projects as part of a systematic, personal experiment to find ultimate meaning and satisfaction in life "under the sun," apart from God. He explored every avenue of human endeavor, from pleasure and wisdom to immense wealth and grand architectural and agricultural undertakings. The "pools of water" and cultivated "wood" in [Ecclesiastes 2:6](/ecclesiastes/2-6 "Ecclesiastes 2:6 - Solomon's Grand Projects") were part of his attempt to create a self-sufficient, abundant, and aesthetically pleasing environment that he hoped would bring lasting joy and fulfillment. These were not merely practical endeavors but part of a philosophical quest to see if any earthly pursuit could truly satisfy the human soul.

**Does this verse condemn ambition or hard work?**

Answer: No, this verse does not inherently condemn ambition or hard work. The Bible often commends diligence and good stewardship. Rather, [Ecclesiastes 2:6](/ecclesiastes/2-6 "Ecclesiastes 2:6 - The Vanity of Earthly Pursuits") highlights the *limitations* of human effort and the *vanity* of placing ultimate hope and finding ultimate satisfaction *solely* in such endeavors. The Preacher's conclusion throughout Ecclesiastes is not that work itself is bad, but that work and its fruits, when pursued as ends in themselves or as substitutes for God, ultimately fail to provide lasting meaning. The issue is one of misplaced hope and ultimate allegiance, not the act of working or creating.

**How does this verse relate to environmental stewardship?**

Answer: While [Ecclesiastes 2:6](/ecclesiastes/2-6 "Ecclesiastes 2:6 - Human Dominion and Its Limits") describes a king's extravagant control over nature, it offers a subtle theological point relevant to environmental stewardship. It demonstrates humanity's capacity for immense power over creation, to shape and cultivate the earth. However, the overarching message of Ecclesiastes is that even perfect environmental control or the creation of an earthly paradise cannot bring ultimate satisfaction or meaning. This implies that while we are called to be good stewards of God's creation ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - Dominion Mandate")), our efforts in this realm, like all others, must be undertaken with an eternal perspective and a recognition that true fulfillment comes from God, not from our mastery over the natural world. It cautions against idolatry of creation or the belief that human ingenuity alone can solve all problems or provide ultimate peace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 2:6, with its depiction of the Preacher's futile attempt to find satisfaction through grand, self-made projects, powerfully foreshadows the fulfillment found in Christ. Solomon, with all his unparalleled wisdom and wealth, could not engineer a lasting peace or joy through his magnificent pools and cultivated forests. His quest for "living water" and a "fruitful garden" was an earthly endeavor, ultimately yielding only "vanity." In contrast, Jesus Christ presents Himself as the true source of what Solomon sought in vain. He declares, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus the Living Water")), offering not just temporary water but "springs of water welling up to eternal life" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")). While Solomon cultivated a physical "wood that bringeth forth trees," Jesus is the "true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine")), inviting us to abide in Him to bear lasting fruit, fruit that is not subject to the "vanity and vexation of spirit" that plagued Solomon's endeavors. The rest and satisfaction that Solomon could not find in his vast accumulation and control of earthly resources are freely offered by Christ: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me")). Thus, Ecclesiastes 2:6 serves as a poignant backdrop, highlighting humanity's inherent longing for a paradise that can only be truly realized and eternally sustained in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one who truly provides all things "for life and godliness" ([2_peter/1-3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - God's Divine Power")).

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

Nehemiah 2:14

Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but [there was] no place for the beast [that was] under me to pass.

Jeremiah 17:8

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Song Of Solomon 7:4

Thy neck [is] as a tower of ivory; thine eyes [like] the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose [is] as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.