Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Ecclesiastes 1:12 to Ecclesiastes 2:26. Qoheleth's Investigations. Assuming the character of Solomon the writer tells of his search for happiness under many forms. The pursuit of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12), absorption in pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1), the study of human nature (Ecclesiastes 2:12), the acquisition of wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:18), alike fail to yield satisfaction. After all his experience the only verdict he can reach is that there is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and enjoy life as well as he can while he has it (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

Ecclesiastes 1:12 to Ecclesiastes 2:26. Qoheleth's Investigations. Assuming the character of Solomon the writer tells of his search for happiness under many forms. The pursuit of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12), absorption in pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1), the study of human nature (Ecclesiastes 2:12), the acquisition of wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:18), alike fail to yield satisfaction. After all his experience the only verdict he can reach is that there is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and enjoy life as well as he can while he has it (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

Ecclesiastes 1:12; Ecclesiastes 1:16. See Introduction.

Ecclesiastes 1:13. Cf. Ecclesiastes 7:25; Ecclesiastes 8:16, and for God as a hard taskmaster Ecclesiastes 3:10. seek and search: get to the bottom of the problem and survey it on all sides.

Ecclesiastes 1:14. striving after wind: see mg., a strong phrase for aimless and futile desire.

Ecclesiastes 1:15. Life is incurably twisted and imperfect.

Ecclesiastes 1:17. Qoheleth would discover truth by the study of contraries. For madness and folly, however, LXX by a slight change of the Hebrew reads comparisons (or parables) and science. But increased knowledge only means increased perplexity (Ecclesiastes 1:18).