Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleSo 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 1917So 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… Jump to Previous Far Great Greater Increased Increasing Jerusalem Preceded Stead Stood Surpassed WisdomJump to Next Far Great Greater Increased Increasing Jerusalem Preceded Stead Stood Surpassed WisdomEcclesiastes 2 1. the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure12. 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 This phrase reflects the culmination of Solomon's achievements and status. In the biblical context, "greatness" often refers to wealth, power, and influence. Solomon's greatness is documented in 1 Kings 10:23, where it states that King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. His greatness was not only in material wealth but also in his extensive building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem, which was a significant architectural and religious achievement. and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 2. Jerusalem The capital city of Israel, significant as the political and spiritual center during Solomon's reign. It symbolizes the height of Israel's power and prosperity. 3. Predecessors in Jerusalem Refers to the kings and leaders who ruled before Solomon, highlighting his surpassing greatness in wisdom and accomplishments. Teaching Points The Pursuit of GreatnessSolomon's achievements remind us that earthly greatness, while impressive, is ultimately fleeting. True greatness is found in serving God and others. Wisdom's Limitations Despite Solomon's wisdom, he acknowledges its limitations in providing lasting satisfaction. Believers are encouraged to seek divine wisdom, which leads to eternal life. Contentment in Christ Solomon's experiences teach us that contentment is not found in surpassing others but in a relationship with Christ, who offers peace and fulfillment. Reflecting on Legacy Consider what kind of legacy you are building. Is it one of temporary achievements or eternal impact through faith and obedience to God? The Role of Wisdom While wisdom is valuable, it should be used to glorify God and serve His purposes, rather than for personal gain or status.(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 greatוְגָדַ֣לְתִּי (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 Links Ecclesiastes 2:9 NIVEcclesiastes 2:9 NLT Ecclesiastes 2:9 ESV Ecclesiastes 2:9 NASB Ecclesiastes 2:9 KJV Ecclesiastes 2:9 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 2:9 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 2:9 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 2:9 French Bible Ecclesiastes 2:9 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:9 So I was great and increased more (Ecclesiast. 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