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 purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock – both herds and flocks – than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem. 8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight – a harem of beautiful concubines! So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity: 10I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. 11Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless – like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

Ecclesiastes 2:9 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• So I was greatגָּדַלgâdal · to magnifyH1431
• and increasedיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• more than all that were beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• me in Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389
• also my wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• remainedעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 2:9

• Ecclesiastes 1:16I thought to myself, “I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”
• 1 Kings 3:12I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.
• 1 Kings 10:7I did not believe these things until I came and saw them with my own eyes. Indeed, I didn’t hear even half the story! Your wisdom and wealth surpass what was reported to me.
• 1 Chronicles 29:25The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.
• 2 Chronicles 1:1Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, for the Lord his God was with him and magnified him greatly.
• 2 Chronicles 9:22King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.

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