Ecclesiastes 2:3
NASB Lexicon
NASB ©HebrewStrong'sOrigin
I exploredתַּ֣רְתִּי
(tar·ti)
8446: to seek out, spy out, explorea prim. root
with my mindבְלִבִּ֔י
(ve·lib·bi,)
3820: inner man, mind, will, heartfrom the same as lebab
[how] to stimulateלִמְשֹׁ֥וךְ
(lim·sho·vch)
4900: to draw, draga prim. root
my bodyבְּשָׂרִ֑י
(be·sa·ri;)
1320: fleshfrom basar
with wineבַּיַּ֖יִן
(bai·ya·yin)
3196: winefrom an unused word
while my mindוְלִבִּ֞י
(ve·lib·bi)
3820: inner man, mind, will, heartfrom the same as lebab
was guidingנֹהֵ֤ג
(no·heg)
5090a: to drive, conducta prim. root
[me] wisely,בַּֽחָכְמָה֙
(ba·cha·che·mah)
2451: wisdomfrom chakam
and how to take holdוְלֶאֱחֹ֣ז
(ve·le·'e·choz)
270: to grasp, take hold, take possessiona prim. root
of folly,בְּסִכְל֔וּת
(be·sich·lut,)
5531: follyfrom sakal
untilעַ֣ד
(ad)
5704: as far as, even to, up to, until, whilefrom adah
I could seeאֶרְאֶ֗ה
(er·'eh)
7200: to seea prim. root
whatאֵי־
(ei-)
335: where?a prim. adverb
goodטֹ֜וב
(to·vv)
2896a: pleasant, agreeable, goodfrom tob
there is for the sonsלִבְנֵ֤י
(liv·nei)
1121: sona prim. root
of menהָאָדָם֙
(ha·'a·dam)
120: man, mankindfrom an unused word
to doיַעֲשׂוּ֙
(ya·'a·su)
6213a: do, makea prim. root
underתַּ֣חַת
(ta·chat)
8478: underneath, below, instead ofa prim. root
heavenהַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
(ha·sha·ma·yim,)
8064: heaven, skyfrom an unused word
the fewמִסְפַּ֖ר
(mis·par)
4557: number, tallyfrom the same as sepher
yearsיְמֵ֥י
(ye·mei)
3117: daya prim. root
of their lives. 
( )
2425b: lifefrom chayah


















KJV Lexicon
I sought
tuwr  (toor)
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring -- chap(-man), sent to descry, be excellent, merchant(-man), search (out), seek, (e-)spy (out).
in mine heart
leb  (labe)
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect
to give
mashak  (maw-shak')
to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
myself
basar  (baw-sawr')
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphem.) the pudenda of a man -- body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-)kind, + nakedness, self, skin.
unto wine
yayin  (yah'-yin)
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication -- banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber).
yet acquainting
nahag  (naw-hag')
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
mine heart
leb  (labe)
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect
with wisdom
chokmah  (khok-maw')
wisdom (in a good sense) -- skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
and to lay hold
'achaz  (aw-khaz')
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
on folly
cikluwth  (sik-looth')
silliness -- folly, foolishness.
till I might see
ra'ah  (raw-aw')
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)surely, think, view, visions.
what was that good
towb  (tobe)
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun
for the sons
ben  (bane)
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.
of men
'adam  (aw-dawm')
ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) -- another, + hypocrite, + common sort, low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
which they should do
`asah  (aw-saw')
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
under the heaven
shamayim  (shaw-mah'-yim)
air, astrologer, heaven(-s).
all
micpar  (mis-pawr')
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
the days
yowm  (yome)
a day (as the warm hours),
of their life
chay  (khah'-ee)
age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.

King James Bible
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom--until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

International Standard Version
I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.

NET Bible
I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I explored ways to make myself feel better by drinking wine. I also explored ways to do [some] foolish things. During all that time, wisdom continued to control my mind. I was able to determine whether this was good for mortals to do during their brief lives under heaven.

King James 2000 Bible
I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their life.
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Ecclesiastes 2:3
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