Ecclesiastes 2:4 kjv

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

Ecclesiastes 2:4 nkjv

I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.

Ecclesiastes 2:4 niv

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

Ecclesiastes 2:4 esv

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

Ecclesiastes 2:4 nlt

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

Ecclesiastes 2 verses

Ecclesiastes 2 4 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 2:4 describes the initial phase of Qoheleth’s ambitious experiment to discover what is truly good and provides lasting satisfaction in life "under the sun." He details his expansive undertakings: constructing grand buildings and cultivating vast vineyards. These pursuits represent significant earthly achievements, indicating immense wealth, power, and diligent effort aimed at personal fulfillment and prosperity. The repeated emphasis on "for myself" highlights a self-directed, human-centric approach to seeking contentment, distinct from endeavors driven by divine command or for communal welfare. This verse sets the stage for a critical examination of whether material acquisition and grand projects can ultimately satisfy the deep human longing for purpose.

Ecclesiastes 2 4 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 2 narrates Qoheleth's extensive personal investigation into what brings genuine and lasting happiness "under the sun," outside of God's direct revelation. Having concluded in chapter 1 that wisdom alone does not provide ultimate meaning, he now turns to pleasure, folly, wealth, and grand achievements as potential sources of fulfillment. Verse 4 marks the beginning of the specific material projects he undertook, setting out his methodology as a researcher testing various aspects of life. This verse, and indeed the entire chapter, functions as an elaborate hypothetical scenario, illustrating the pursuit of every imaginable earthly good by someone with unlimited resources (like King Solomon), to demonstrate its eventual emptiness. The cultural context would have highly valued such grand constructions and agricultural successes as symbols of a ruler's power, wisdom, and the nation's prosperity.

Ecclesiastes 2 4 Word analysis

• I enlarged: Hebrew vehigdalti (וְהִגְדַּלְתִּי) from the root gadol (גָּדַל), meaning "to be great" or "grow." In the Hiphil conjugation, it signifies a causative action: "I made great," "I magnified," "I built up on a large scale." This denotes an intentional and extensive scale of his undertakings, beyond mere personal comfort to encompass a royal, grand ambition.
• my works: Hebrew ma'asai (מַעֲשַׂי), "my deeds," "my productions," "my achievements." This term is broad, encompassing not just physical structures but all forms of productive activity and creative endeavor. It highlights a proactive and hands-on involvement, characteristic of one determined to find satisfaction through output.
• I built: Hebrew baniti (בָּנִיתִי) from the root banah (בָּנָה), "to build." This is a fundamental act of creation and establishing, indicative of permanence and setting down roots. It implies substantial structures, likely multiple estates or complexes, not just one small home.
• for myself: Hebrew li (לִי), literally "to me" or "for me." This phrase is crucial as it appears repeatedly in Ecclesiastes 2 (v. 4, 8) and underscores the self-centered nature of Qoheleth's quest. The projects were not for the nation's glory, God's temple, or philanthropic purposes, but rather to serve his own comfort, pleasure, and the perceived satisfaction of possession.
• houses: Hebrew battim (בָּתִּים), plural of bayit (בַּיִת), meaning "house." In ancient Near Eastern contexts, "houses" could refer to grand palaces, country estates, or multiple residences suitable for royalty. These were symbols of wealth, status, and stability.
• I planted: Hebrew nata'ti (נָטַעְתִּי) from the root nata (נָטַע), "to plant." This signifies the establishment of long-term assets and projects that require significant investment of time, effort, and resources, anticipating future fruitfulness and enjoyment.
• vineyards: Hebrew keramim (כְּרָמִים), plural of kerem (כֶּרֶם), "vineyard." Vineyards were valuable agricultural assets, producing wine for enjoyment and trade. They symbolized prosperity, luxury, and the pleasant aspects of life, reflecting a settled and opulent existence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I enlarged my works": This phrase encapsulates the scope and ambition of Qoheleth's endeavors. It signifies undertaking vast, impressive projects that transcend ordinary human capacity, reflective of a king with unlimited resources and power. It's not just about doing work, but about scaling it up exponentially.
• "I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself": The parallel structure and the repetition of "for myself" highlight the personal, acquisitive nature of these actions. It emphasizes the attempt to derive satisfaction from personal accumulation and self-indulgence rather than from outward-focused pursuits or spiritual devotion. This construction points to a life consumed by the pursuit of possessions.

Ecclesiastes 2 4 Bonus section

The activities described in this verse (building and planting) are foundational human activities. From a biblical worldview, building (e.g., Noah's ark, Abraham's altars, Moses' Tabernacle, Solomon's Temple) and planting (e.g., God planting the garden of Eden, planting His people, Israel as His vineyard) often carry spiritual significance. However, here in Ecclesiastes 2:4, these activities are specifically framed by the recurring phrase "for myself," deliberately separating them from any redemptive or God-honoring purpose. This contrasts sharply with building the temple "for the name of the Lord" (1 Kgs 5:3) or God's command to plant a land that He would bless (Deut 28:8, 12). Qoheleth's self-focused building and planting set the stage to demonstrate that even good and productive activities, when detached from their divine origin or ultimate purpose in God, lead only to frustration and emptiness "under the sun." It's an exploration of human autonomy at its grandest, concluding in its ultimate failure to satisfy the soul.

Ecclesiastes 2 4 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:4 serves as the opening statement in Qoheleth’s systematic exploration of worldly achievement as a source of ultimate meaning. Far from engaging in modest improvements, he initiates projects of unparalleled scale, typical of a monarch like Solomon, who had the means and manpower to embark on colossal architectural and agricultural undertakings. The description of building houses and planting vineyards depicts endeavors that were, in their essence, good and productive; however, the crucial element is the purpose "for myself." This self-directed motive underscores the experimental nature of his quest – can these magnificent personal acquisitions truly provide enduring joy and significance? The verse details an effort to find meaning in tangibles, control, and accumulation. Yet, as the chapter unfolds, this very pursuit of worldly grandeur, despite its immediate pleasures and impressive results, ultimately proves to be futile and "vanity of vanities." This introduces the core paradox of human endeavors when they are detached from a higher, God-given purpose: impressive on the outside, hollow within. For practical usage, this could apply to modern pursuits such as careers solely focused on wealth accumulation, building ever-larger homes without community engagement, or dedicating life's energy entirely to personal leisure and comforts.