Ecclesiastes 2:3 in Hebrew
תַּ֣רְתִּי בְלִבִּ֔י לִמְשֹׁ֥וךְ בַּיַּ֖יִן אֶת־בְּשָׂרִ֑י וְלִבִּ֞י נֹהֵ֤ג בַּֽחָכְמָה֙ וְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז בְּסִכְל֔וּת עַ֣ד אֲשֶׁר־אֶרְאֶ֗ה אֵי־זֶ֨ה טֹ֜וב לִבְנֵ֤י הָאָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַעֲשׂוּ֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם מִסְפַּ֖ר יְמֵ֥י חַיֵּיהֶֽם׃
Introduction to the Verse
Ecclesiastes 2:3 presents a philosophical reflection on human existence and the pursuit of meaning. The verse states:
תַּ֣רְתִּי בְלִבִּ֔י לִמְשֹׁ֥וךְ בַּיַּ֖יִן אֶת־בְּשָׂרִ֑י – “I searched in my heart to draw my flesh with wine.”
וְלִבִּ֞י נֹהֵ֤ג בַּֽחָכְמָה֙ וְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז בְּסִכְל֔וּת – “While my heart was guiding me with wisdom and to grasp folly.”
עַ֣ד אֲשֶׁר־אֶרְאֶ֗ה אֵי־זֶ֨ה טֹ֜וב לִבְנֵ֤י הָאָדָם֙ – “Until I might see what is good for the children of man.”
This verse uses contrasting ideas—wisdom and folly, pleasure and discernment—to explore the tension in human decision-making.
Examining the Key Contrasts
1. לִמְשֹׁ֥וךְ בַּיַּ֖יִן אֶת־בְּשָׂרִ֑י (“To draw my flesh with wine”)
– The verb לִמְשֹׁ֥וךְ (limšōḵ) means “to draw, pull, or lead.”
– This phrase describes self-indulgence, where the body follows the pleasure of wine.
– It reflects an experiment with physical enjoyment as a means of fulfillment.
– Note: The verse does not endorse drunkenness but rather explores whether pleasure contributes to human purpose.
2. וְלִבִּ֞י נֹהֵ֤ג בַּֽחָכְמָה֙ (“While my heart was guiding me with wisdom”)
– The verb נֹהֵג (nōhēg) means “to lead, direct.”
– The heart (לֵב) in biblical thought represents inner reasoning and spiritual discernment.
– This phrase indicates that even while seeking pleasure, the speaker remained conscious of wisdom and never fully abandoned it.
3. וְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז בְּסִכְל֔וּת (“And to grasp folly”)
– לֶאֱחֹ֣ז (leʾĕḥōz) means “to seize, take hold of.”
– סִכְלוּת (sikhlût) means “foolishness, lack of wisdom.”
– The contrast with חָכְמָה (wisdom) suggests an intentional exploration of both reason and recklessness.
The Literary and Theological Implications
1. The Deliberate Juxtaposition of Wisdom and Folly
– The phrase וְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז בְּסִכְל֔וּת (“to grasp folly”) is not an admission of foolishness, but an experiment in understanding its effects.
– The balance between rational wisdom and experiential folly highlights the paradox of human decision-making.
2. The Search for Meaning Under the Sun
– The final phrase, אֵי־זֶ֨ה טֹ֜וב לִבְנֵ֤י הָאָדָם֙ (“what is good for the children of man”), connects the individual quest for meaning to a broader human concern.
– The phrase תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (“under the heavens”) reminds the reader that this search is bound to the earthly realm, contrasting divine wisdom with human limitation.
The Tension Between Wisdom and Pleasure in Ecclesiastes 2:3
Ecclesiastes 2:3 portrays the philosophical struggle of balancing wisdom and pleasure. The author does not outright condemn indulgence but questions its lasting value when compared to wisdom.
By placing wisdom and folly side by side, the verse highlights the human pursuit of meaning, demonstrating that life’s ultimate purpose is not found in fleeting pleasures but in deeper understanding.
Additionally, it is important to note that this verse does not endorse drunkenness but rather examines whether indulgence can provide meaning when pursued alongside wisdom.
