Ecclesiastes 2:9
New International Version
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

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

English Standard Version
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

Berean Standard Bible
So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

King James Bible
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

New King James Version
So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

New American Standard Bible
Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.

NASB 1995
Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.

NASB 1977
Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.

Amplified Bible
So I became great and excelled more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

Christian Standard Bible
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

American Standard Version
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

Contemporary English Version
I was the most famous person who had ever lived in Jerusalem, and I was very wise.

English Revised Version
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I grew richer than anyone in Jerusalem before me. Yet, my wisdom remained with me.

Good News Translation
Yes, I was great, greater than anyone else who had ever lived in Jerusalem, and my wisdom never failed me.

International Standard Version
So I became great, greater than anyone who had lived before me in Jerusalem. Throughout all of this, I remained wise.

Majority Standard Bible
So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

NET Bible
So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:

New Heart English Bible
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

Webster's Bible Translation
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

World English Bible
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I became great, and increased above everyone who had been before me in Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.

Young's Literal Translation
And I became great, and increased above every one who had been before me in Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I was magnified and increased more than all being before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom stood to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I surpassed in riches all that were before me in Jerusalem: my wisdom also remained with me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I surpassed in opulence all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also persevered with me.

New American Bible
I accumulated much more than all others before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom, too, stayed with me.

New Revised Standard Version
So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So I became great, and my wealth increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I was great and I had gained more than all that had been before me in Jerusalem, and also my wisdom remained with me
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom stood me in stead.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So I became great, and advanced beyond all that were before in Jerusalem: also my wisdom was established to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Futility of Pleasure
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. 9So 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.…

Cross References
1 Kings 10:23
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:22
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

1 Kings 3:12-13
behold, 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. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.

1 Kings 4:29-30
And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 11:3-4
He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. / For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.

1 Kings 11:6
So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely.

1 Kings 11:9-11
Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. / Although He had warned Solomon explicitly not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. / Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.

1 Kings 11:43
And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.

Matthew 6:29
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

Luke 12:27
Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 3:13-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...


Treasury of Scripture

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

Ecclesiastes 1:16
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Kings 3:12
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

1 Kings 10:7,23
Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard…

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Far Great Greater Increased Increasing Jerusalem Preceded Stead Stood Surpassed Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 2
1. the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure
12. Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event
18. The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom
24. Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift














So I became great
The phrase "I became great" reflects the Hebrew word "gadal," which means to grow, become great, or magnify. In the context of Solomon's life, this greatness is not merely about wealth or power but encompasses influence, wisdom, and reputation. Historically, Solomon's reign is marked by unprecedented prosperity and peace, making him a figure of immense stature in Israel's history. This greatness, however, is juxtaposed with the theme of vanity that permeates Ecclesiastes, reminding readers that earthly greatness is fleeting without a foundation in God.

and surpassed all in Jerusalem
The phrase "surpassed all in Jerusalem" indicates a comparison with previous rulers and leaders. Jerusalem, as the political and spiritual center of Israel, was the benchmark for leadership and success. Solomon's achievements in building projects, wealth accumulation, and international relations were unparalleled. This historical context underscores the zenith of Israel's power and influence during Solomon's reign, yet it also serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of human achievement.

who had preceded me
This phrase acknowledges the legacy and accomplishments of those who came before Solomon, such as King David, his father. The Hebrew root "qadam" implies going before or preceding, suggesting a lineage of leadership and wisdom. Solomon's acknowledgment of his predecessors highlights the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the importance of building upon the foundations laid by those who came before.

and my wisdom remained with me
The phrase "my wisdom remained with me" is crucial in understanding Solomon's self-reflection. The Hebrew word for wisdom, "chokmah," encompasses not only knowledge but also the practical application of understanding in daily life. Despite his pursuit of worldly pleasures and achievements, Solomon's wisdom, a divine gift from God, remained intact. This enduring wisdom serves as a reminder of the importance of divine guidance and discernment in navigating life's complexities. It also emphasizes that true wisdom is not lost amidst the pursuit of earthly endeavors but is a constant companion for those who seek God.

(9-11) Koheleth carried out his plan of tempering his enjoyment with discretion, but while he took his fill of the pleasure that fell to his lot, he found in it no abiding profit. He goes on in the following paragraph to complain that the wisdom and other advantages he possessed in his search for happiness render his failure the more disheartening.

Verse 9. - So I was great (see on Ecclesiastes 1:16). This refers to the magnificence and extent of his possessions and luxury, as the former passage to the surpassing excellence of his wisdom. We may compare the mention of Abraham (Genesis 26:13), "The man waxed great, and grew more and more until he became very great" (sc. Job 1:3). Also my wisdom remained with me; perseveravit mecum (Vulgate); ἐστάθη μοι (Septuagint). In accordance with the purpose mentioned in ver. 3, he retained command of himself, studying philosophically the effects and nature of the pleasures of which he partook, and keeping ever in view the object of his pursuit. Voluptuousness was not the end which he sought, but one of the means to obtain the end; and what he calls his wisdom is not pure Divine wisdom that comes from above, but an earthly prudence and self-restraint.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So I became great
וְגָדַ֣לְתִּי (wə·ḡā·ḏal·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

and surpassed
וְהוֹסַ֔פְתִּי (wə·hō·w·sap̄·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

all
מִכֹּ֛ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

who had preceded me;
שֶׁהָיָ֥ה (še·hā·yāh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

and
אַ֥ף (’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

my wisdom
חָכְמָתִ֖י (ḥā·ḵə·mā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

remained with me.
עָ֥מְדָה (‘ā·mə·ḏāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:9 So I was great and increased more (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 2:8
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