Ecclesiastes 2:5

5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

Ecclesiastes 2:5 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.
The Message Bible (MSG)
5 designed gardens and parks and planted a variety of fruit trees in them,
American Standard Version (ASV)
5 I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
5 I made gardens and parks for myself. I planted every kind of fruit tree in them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
5 I made gardens and parks. I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

Ecclesiastes 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:5

I made me gardens and orchards
Of the king's garden, we read ( Jeremiah 39:4 ) . Adrichomius F2 makes mention of a royal garden in the suburbs of Jerusalem, fenced with walls; and was a paradise of fruit trees, herbs, spices, and flowers; abounded with all kind of fruit, exceeding pleasant and delightful to the senses: and, as Solomon was so great a botanist, and knew the nature and use of all kinds of trees and herbs, ( 1 Kings 4:33 ) ; no doubt but he has a herbal garden, well stocked with everything of that kind, curious and useful; see ( 1 Kings 21:2 ) . Gardens are made for pleasure as well as profit; Adam, as soon as created, was put into a garden, to add to his natural pleasure and felicity, as well as for his employment, ( Genesis 2:8 ) ; and the pleasure of walking in a garden, and partaking of the fruits of it, are alluded to by Solomon, ( Song of Solomon 4:12 Song of Solomon 4:13 Song of Solomon 4:16 ) ( 5:1 ) ( 6:9 ) ; and I planted trees in them of all [kind of] fruits;
which, as before observed, he had thorough knowledge of, and many of which were brought him from foreign parts; and all served to make his gardens, orchards, parks, forests, and enclosures, very pleasant and delectable. The Targum adds,

``some for food, others for drink, and others for medicine.''

FOOTNOTES:

F2 Theatrum Terrae Sanctae, p. 170.

Ecclesiastes 2:5 In-Context

3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
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