OET interlinear ECC 2:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תַּ֣רְתִּי בְ⁠לִבִּ֔⁠י

explored in,heart_of,my

The word heart here represents a person’s thoughts and desires. Solomon means that his mind was guiding him with wisdom even as he explored folly. You may have a comparable expression in your language, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I explored in my thoughts … my thoughts were guiding me with wisdom]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

לִ⁠מְשׁ֥וֹךְ בַּ⁠יַּ֖יִן בְּשָׂרִ֑⁠י

to,gratify with,wine (Some words not found in UHB: explored in,heart_of,my to,gratify with,wine DOM flesh_of,my and,heart_of,my guiding with,wisdom and,to,take_hold on,folly until which/who see where? this good for,the_children_of the=humankind which/who do below/instead_of the=heavens few_of days_of their_lives_of,their )

Solomon is using the number of the days of their lives as a common expression of the culture to mean “their entire lifetime.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to drag my flesh with wine … their entire lifetime]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בַּֽ⁠חָכְמָה֙

with,wisdom

Solomon is using the sons of humanity as a common expression of the culture to mean “people” or “human beings.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בְּ⁠סִכְל֔וּת

on,folly

Solomon is using the possessive form to describe deeds that he himself performed. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express this idea in another way. Alternate translation: [to behave foolishly]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

לִ⁠בְנֵ֤י הָ⁠אָדָם֙

for,the_children_of the=humankind

Solomon says I enlarged my deeds as an extreme statement for emphasis. He means that he did very many impressive things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: [human beings]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

תַּ֣חַת הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֔יִם

below/instead_of the=heavens

The word translated as for myself indicates that Solomon did these things for his own benefit and enjoyment. Use a construction in your language that makes it clear that the action was done for his own sake. Alternate translation: [for their own benefit on this earth]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

מִסְפַּ֖ר יְמֵ֥י חַיֵּי⁠הֶֽם

few_of days_of their_lives_of,their

Solomon is using the possessive form to describe pools that are characterized by containing waters. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express this idea in another way. Alternate translation: [during all the days they live]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

מִסְפַּ֖ר יְמֵ֥י חַיֵּי⁠הֶֽם

few_of days_of their_lives_of,their

Solomon is using sons of the house as a common expression of the culture to mean “slaves born in my household.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [for as long as they live]

Note 9 topic: writing-background

וְ⁠לִבִּ֞⁠י נֹהֵ֤ג בַּֽ⁠חָכְמָה֙

and,heart_of,my guiding with,wisdom

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of folly, you could express the same idea in another way.

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

וְ⁠לִבִּ֞⁠י נֹהֵ֤ג בַּֽ⁠חָכְמָה֙

and,heart_of,my guiding with,wisdom

Solomon says all as a generalization for emphasis. He means that he did a great many impressive things, not necessarily every possible deed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [and I was still guiding myself with wisdom]