Ecclesiastes 2:8

6 I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.

7 I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me,

and 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.

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

10 Anything 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.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
and 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.
KJV
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
WEB
I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men: musical instruments of all sorts.
ASV
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
DARBY
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the children of men, a wife and concubines.
BLB
I gathered for myself also silver and gold, and the property of kings and of the provinces; I appointed for myself male singers and female singers, and the delights of the sons of man—a wife and wives.
ÅB
jeg samlet meg også sølv og gull og kostelige skatter som kom fra fremmede konger og land; jeg fikk meg sangere og sangerinner og det som er menneskenes lyst, en hustru og flere.
OTB
Jeg samlet sølv og gull for meg selv, og skattene fra konger og provinser. Jeg skaffet mannlige og kvinnelige sangere, og menns gleder: mange medhustruer.
B1930
jeg samlet mig også sølv og gull og kostelige skatter som kom fra fremmede konger og land; jeg fikk mig sangere og sangerinner og det som er menneskenes lyst, en hustru og flere.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Kings 10:10

    Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again was such an abundance of spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 9:28

    They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—420 talents —and delivered it to Solomon.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 19:35

    I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 10:14

    The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 25:6

    All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 150:3–5

    Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 14:21–22

    Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 25:1

    Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:

    Read in context