Ecclesiastes 2:6 kjv

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

Ecclesiastes 2:6 nkjv

I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.

Ecclesiastes 2:6 niv

I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

Ecclesiastes 2:6 esv

I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.

Ecclesiastes 2:6 nlt

I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.

Ecclesiastes 2 verses

Ecclesiastes 2 6 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 2:6 describes the Preacher's extensive self-undertaking of engineering large-scale water systems, specifically designing and constructing artificial pools of water. These pools were not merely for practical necessities but for the luxurious and extensive irrigation of a newly established, immense forest or numerous growing trees. This ambitious project symbolizes the pinnacle of worldly pleasure, grand design, and accumulated wealth directed towards personal gratification, as the Preacher seeks satisfaction through magnificent material achievements.

Ecclesiastes 2 6 Context

Ecclesiastes 2:6 is a part of Qoheleth’s systematic experiment to find satisfaction and meaning "under the sun" – that is, apart from divine revelation. Chapters 1 and 2 describe his exhaustive search for meaning through various worldly pursuits, including wisdom, pleasure, wine, grand building projects, and accumulation of wealth and power. In verses 4-8 of chapter 2, the Preacher recounts his grand achievements, from constructing houses and vineyards (v. 4) to acquiring servants, livestock, and silver (v. 7-8). This specific verse, 2:6, highlights his sophisticated agricultural engineering projects: establishing elaborate irrigation systems (pools of water) to sustain vast cultivated forests or orchards. This was an ultimate display of kingly power, resources, and ingenuity in an arid land. Historically, King Solomon, often associated with the persona of Qoheleth, was renowned for his immense wealth, wisdom, and extensive building endeavors, including sophisticated water management for Jerusalem and his personal estates. Such undertakings symbolize control, luxury, and the desire to leave a grand legacy, which Qoheleth, ultimately, declares to be fleeting and unsatisfying.

Ecclesiastes 2 6 Word analysis

• I (אֲנִי - 'aniy): The emphatic first-person singular pronoun highlights the personal nature of the endeavor. It underscores that these projects were for the Preacher's own satisfaction and glory, not necessarily for communal benefit or out of divine command.
• made myself (עָשִׂיתִי לִי - 'asithiy liy): A crucial phrase combining the verb "made" (from 'asah, to do, make, achieve) with the dative suffix "for myself" (li). This emphasizes self-centered effort and consumption, clearly distinguishing it from actions performed for God or others. It conveys deliberate self-gratification and self-provision.
• pools of water (בְּרֵכוֹת מַיִם - b^erekhoṯ mayim): B^erekhoṯ (plural of berekhah) refers to artificial reservoirs or ponds, often constructed by damming or digging. Mayim means water. This indicates elaborate civil engineering projects, a significant undertaking of wealth, manpower, and technical skill in the arid ancient Near East. Such pools were a hallmark of royal extravagance and a testament to controlling valuable resources.
• to water therewith (לְהַשְׁקוֹת בָּהֶם - lehashqoṯ bahem): Lehashqoṯ (infinitive construct of shaqa) means "to give drink, to water, irrigate." Bahem means "with them" (the pools). This specifies the purpose of the pools: large-scale, controlled irrigation. It points to a systematic and calculated approach to environmental management for specific outcomes.
• the wood (יַעַר - ya'ar): While sometimes translated as "forest," ya'ar here likely refers to a large, cultivated woodland, a vast garden, or an orchard, rather than a wild natural forest. This term signifies an enormous, purpose-planted collection of trees. It implies an engineered landscape of considerable size, far beyond a typical home garden, signifying royal or immensely wealthy estates.
• that bringeth forth trees (מוֹצִיא עֵצִים - motsiy 'eṣim): Moṣi (participle of yaṣa, to go out, bring forth) and 'eṣim (trees). This phrase clarifies that the "wood" or "forest" consisted of trees specifically intended for a yield or purpose—whether fruit, timber, or aesthetic beauty. This denotes a deliberate, managed environment rather than wild growth, showcasing productivity under human control and effort. It is not just about making the pools, but the impressive scope of what the pools sustained.

Words-group analysis:

• "I made myself pools of water": This phrase introduces the central action and motivation. It highlights personal initiative and self-interest in the grand design, emphasizing that the immense resources were utilized for personal satisfaction and achievement. The scale of building reservoirs for a dry region signals unparalleled power and opulence.
• "to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees": This part elaborates on the practical application and outcome of the "pools." It signifies an equally grand agricultural or landscaping endeavor—the deliberate cultivation of an enormous number of trees. The combination portrays the Preacher as an ultimate master builder and land manager, indulging in the luxury of creating and controlling a lavish, productive environment. It showcases both technical ingenuity and unrestrained expenditure.

Ecclesiastes 2 6 Bonus section

The "pools of water" in this verse are often historically linked to the "Solomon's Pools" located south of Bethlehem, a series of three ancient reservoirs that collected water from natural springs and transported it to Jerusalem and Herod's fortress, Herodium. While directly linking them to the historical Solomon described in Ecclesiastes is complex, these examples highlight the type of extensive and ingenious water management projects attributed to ancient kings to supply cities, royal estates, and luxuriant gardens in a dry land. Such projects were considered monumental feats, affirming the king's power, wisdom, and provision for his kingdom and personal gratification. The mention of "wood that bringeth forth trees" also suggests deliberate agricultural expansion beyond immediate consumption, possibly for trade or creating elaborate, fruitful pleasure gardens reminiscent of paradisiacal settings. This striving for an artificial paradise, maintained by human ingenuity and effort, implicitly contrasts with the divinely established Garden of Eden (Gen 2), highlighting humanity's attempt to recreate perfection apart from the Creator.

Ecclesiastes 2 6 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:6 vividly illustrates Qoheleth's pursuit of ultimate satisfaction through massive material projects and environmental manipulation. This verse captures the height of royal opulence and strategic planning dedicated to self-pleasure. Building extensive irrigation systems to cultivate a personal forest of productive trees signifies an attempt to achieve fulfillment through grandiosity, self-sufficiency, and control over nature. Such a feat was not merely practical but a display of status and a profound commitment to earthly delights. The careful planning and execution of such an endeavor underscore the thoroughness of Qoheleth's "experiment." However, within the broader context of Ecclesiastes, this immense achievement is ultimately cataloged under the umbrella of "vanity" or "striving after wind." The Preacher, even with such magnificent undertakings, still finds a deep lack, showing that even the greatest human endeavors and wealth cannot fill the void within the human spirit apart from God.