Ecclesiastes 2:9

Ecclesiastes 2:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
• New International Version (NIV)I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

Context of Ecclesiastes 2:9

7I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me, 8and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines. So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me. 10Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 11Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 word by word

וְגָדַ֣לְתִּי וְהוֹסַ֔פְתִּי מִכֹּ֛ל שֶׁהָיָ֥ה לְפָנַ֖י בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַ֥ף חָכְמָתִ֖י עָ֥מְדָה לִּֽי׃Read the interlinear

• So I became greatגָּדַלgâdal · to magnifyH1431
• and surpassedיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• allכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• in Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389
• who had preceded meהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• who had preceded meפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• andאַף'aph · alsoH637
• my wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• remainedעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Ecclesiastes 1:16I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”
• 1 Kings 3:12behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.
• 1 Kings 10:7But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.
• 1 Chronicles 29:25The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.
• 2 Chronicles 1:1Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.
• 2 Chronicles 9:22So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9I became great: Compare 1 Kings 10:23. Solomon's wisdom helped him gain power and wealth (see 1 Kings 3:2–14; 4:20–34).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-113-11. Illustration more at large of Ec 2:1, 2. I sought--I resolved, after search into many plans. give myself unto wine--literally, "to draw my flesh," or "body to wine" (including all banquetings). Image from a captive drawn after a chariot in triumph (Ro 6:16, 19; 1Co 12:2); or, one "allured" (2Pe 2:18, 19). yet acquainting ... wisdom--literally, "and my heart (still) was behaving, or guiding itself," with wisdom [Gesenius]. Maurer translates: "was…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Epicureans
• Investigation
• Pleasure
• Solomon
• Vanity
• Wisdom
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Jerusalem
• Gather
• Laughter
• Ecclesiastes, the Preacher
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings