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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me.

Context of Ecclesiastes 2:9

7I 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. 8I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. 11Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

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 said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”
• 1 Kings 3:12I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone 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 me; in wisdom and wealth you 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 splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before.
• 2 Chronicles 1:1Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
• 2 Chronicles 9:22King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other 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