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 servants and had other servants who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than all my predecessors in Jerusalem. 8I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as the treasure of kings and the provinces. I acquired male and female singers for myself, as well as the luxuries of humankind—vaults and vaults of them. So I became far wealthier than all before me in Jerusalem, yet my wisdom stayed with me. 10I denied myself nothing that my eyes desired; I withheld from my heart no enjoyment. My heart took delight from all my toil— this was my reward for all my labor. 11Yet when I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended to accomplish it, behold, it all was futile and chasing after 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

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 spoke with my heart saying: “I have grown rich and increased in wisdom more than any who were before me over Jerusalem. Indeed, my heart has experienced much wisdom and knowledge.”
• 1 Kings 3:12behold, I have done according to your words. I have given you a wise and discerning mind, so that there has been none like you before you, nor shall anyone like you arise after you.
• 1 Kings 10:7But I didn’t believe the reports until I came and my eyes saw it. Indeed, not even the half was told to me. You’re way past the report of wisdom and prosperity that I’d heard!
• 1 Chronicles 29:25Adonai highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had never been on any king before him in Israel.
• 2 Chronicles 1:1Now Solomon the son of David firmly established himself over his kingdom. For Adonai his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
• 2 Chronicles 9:22So King Solomon exceeded 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