Ecclesiastes 2:5
New International Version
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

New Living Translation
I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.

English Standard Version
I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.

Berean Standard Bible
I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees.

King James Bible
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

New King James Version
I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

New American Standard Bible
I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

NASB 1995
I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

NASB 1977
I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

Legacy Standard Bible
I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

Amplified Bible
I made gardens and orchards for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

Christian Standard Bible
I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

American Standard Version
I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;

Contemporary English Version
I had flower gardens and orchards full of fruit trees.

English Revised Version
I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I made gardens and parks for myself. I planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

Good News Translation
I planted gardens and orchards, with all kinds of fruit trees in them;

International Standard Version
I constructed gardens and orchards for myself, and within them I planted all kinds of fruit trees.

Majority Standard Bible
I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees.

NET Bible
I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

New Heart English Bible
I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.

Webster's Bible Translation
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

World English Bible
I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I made for myself gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

Young's Literal Translation
I made for me gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

Smith's Literal Translation
I made to me gardens and pleasure grounds, and I planted in them a tree of all fruit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I made gardens, and orchards, and set them with trees of all kinds,

Catholic Public Domain Version
I made gardens and orchards. And I planted them with trees of every kind.

New American Bible
I made gardens and parks, and in them set out fruit trees of all sorts.

New Revised Standard Version
I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them trees of all kinds of fruit;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I made for myself gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit-tree.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Futility of Pleasure
4I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees. 6I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.…

Cross References
1 Kings 4:33
He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

1 Kings 7:1-12
Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace. / He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, with four rows of cedar pillars supporting the cedar beams. / The house was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the pillars—forty-five beams, fifteen per row. ...

Nehemiah 2:8
And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Nehemiah 9:25
They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.

Psalm 104:16
The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,

Isaiah 5:1-2
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!

Isaiah 65:21-22
They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. / No longer will they build houses for others to inhabit, nor plant for others to eat. For as is the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands.

Jeremiah 12:10
Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.

Jeremiah 31:5
Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit.

Amos 9:14
I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

Matthew 21:33
Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

Mark 12:1
Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

Luke 13:6-9
Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. / So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ / ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ...

John 15:1-5
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.


Treasury of Scripture

I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

me

Song of Solomon 4:12-16
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed…

Song of Solomon 5:1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Song of Solomon 6:2
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

i planted

Genesis 2:8,9
And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed…

Luke 17:27-29
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all…

Jump to Previous
Fruit Fruits Fruit-Trees Gardens Kind Kinds Orchards Planted Planting Sorts Trees
Jump to Next
Fruit Fruits Fruit-Trees Gardens Kind Kinds Orchards Planted Planting Sorts Trees
Ecclesiastes 2
1. the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure
12. Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event
18. The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom
24. Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift














I made gardens and parks for myself
This phrase reflects the personal ambition and pursuit of pleasure by the author, traditionally understood to be King Solomon. The creation of gardens and parks signifies a desire for beauty, luxury, and a controlled environment, which was a common pursuit among ancient Near Eastern kings. The mention of "for myself" highlights the self-centered nature of these endeavors, emphasizing the theme of vanity and the fleeting nature of earthly accomplishments found throughout Ecclesiastes. This pursuit of personal satisfaction contrasts with the biblical call to seek fulfillment in God rather than in material or earthly achievements.

where I planted all kinds of fruit trees
The planting of "all kinds of fruit trees" suggests a diversity and abundance that reflects the wealth and resources available to Solomon. Fruit trees were a symbol of prosperity and blessing in the ancient world, often associated with the Promised Land, described as a land flowing with milk and honey. This imagery connects to the Garden of Eden, where God provided a variety of trees for Adam and Eve, symbolizing divine provision and abundance. The act of planting also implies a sense of ownership and control over nature, which can be seen as a metaphor for human attempts to find meaning and satisfaction apart from God. This phrase invites reflection on the futility of seeking ultimate fulfillment in earthly pleasures and possessions, a central theme in Ecclesiastes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including gardens and parks.

2. Gardens and Parks
These are the physical manifestations of Solomon's efforts to find meaning and satisfaction through his own achievements and pleasures.

3. Fruit Trees
Symbolic of prosperity and abundance, these trees represent the culmination of Solomon's labor and the natural beauty he sought to create.
Teaching Points
The Pursuit of Pleasure
Solomon's creation of gardens and parks illustrates the human tendency to seek fulfillment in earthly pleasures and accomplishments. However, true satisfaction is found in God alone.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Achievements
While Solomon's projects were grand, they were ultimately temporary. This reminds us to focus on eternal values rather than transient successes.

Stewardship of Creation
Solomon's interest in nature can inspire us to appreciate and care for God's creation, recognizing our role as stewards of the earth.

Contentment in God's Provision
The contrast between Solomon's efforts and God's provision in Eden encourages us to find contentment in what God provides, rather than striving for more.(5) Orchards.--Rather, parks. The word, which occurs also in Song of Solomon 4:3, Nehemiah 2:8, is originally Persian, and passed into the Greek and into modern languages in the form of "paradise" (Luke 23:43; 2Corinthians 12:4; and in LXX., Genesis 2:10; Genesis 13:10; Numbers 24:6; Isaiah 1:30; Ecclesiasticus 24:30; Susan. 5:4). Parks and trees giving, not only fruit, but shade from the hot Eastern sun, were an almost necessary part of kingly luxury. The king's garden is spoken of in 1Kings 21:2; 2Kings 21:18; 2Kings 25:4; Nehemiah 3:15. . . . Verse 5. - I made me gardens and orchards. Solomon's love of gardens appears throughout the Canticles (Song of Solomon 6:2, etc.). He had a king's garden on the slope of the hills south of the city (2 Kings 25:4); and Beth-hacchemm, "the House of the Vine," at Ain Karim, about six miles east of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 6:1); and at Baal-hamon another extensive vineyard (Song of Solomon 8:11). The word rendered "orchard" (parder) occurs also in Song of Solomon 4:13 and Nehemiah 2:8. It is a Persian word, and passed into the Greek form παράδειος (Xenophon, 'Anab.,' 1:2.7), meaning "a park" planted with forest and fruit trees, and containing herds of animals. It is probably derived from the Zend oairidaeza," an enclosure." (For the trees in such parks, see Song of Solomon 4:13, 14; and for an estimate of Solomon's works, Josephus, 'Ant.,' 8:07. 3.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I made
עָשִׂ֣יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

myself
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

gardens
גַּנּ֖וֹת (gan·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1593: A garden

and parks
וּפַרְדֵּסִ֑ים (ū·p̄ar·dê·sîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6508: A preserve, park

and planted
וְנָטַ֥עְתִּי (wə·nā·ṭa‘·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5193: To strike in, fix, to plant

in them
בָהֶ֖ם (ḇā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

all kinds
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of fruit
פֶּֽרִי׃ (pe·rî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6529: Fruit

trees.
עֵ֥ץ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:5 I made myself gardens and parks (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 2:4
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