Ecclesiastes 2:1 - Exposition

Dissatisfied with the result of the pursuit of wisdom, Koheleth embarks on a course of sensual pleasure, if so be this may yield some effect more substantial and permanent. I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth. The heart is addressed as the seat of the emotions and affections. The Vulgate misses the direct address to the heart, which the words, rightly interpreted, imply, translating, Vadam et offluam delieiis . The Septuagint correctly gives, δεῦρο δὴ πειράσω σε ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ . It is like the rich fool's language in Christ's parable, "I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry" ( Luke 12:10 ). Therefore enjoy pleasure; literally, see good ( Ecclesiastes 6:6 ). "To see" is often used figuratively in the sense of "to experience, or enjoy." Wright compares the expressions, "see death" ( Luke 2:26 ), "see life" ( John 3:36 ). We may find the like in Psalms 34:13 ; Jeremiah 29:32 ; Obadiah 1:13 (comp. Ecclesiastes 9:9 ). The king now tries to find the summum bonum in pleasure, in selfish enjoyment without thought of others. Commentators, as they saw Stoicism in the first chapter, so read Epieureanism into this. We shall have occasion to refer to this idea further on (see on Ecclesiastes 3:22 ). Of this new experiment the result was the same as before. Behold, this also is vanity . This experience is confirmed in the next verse.