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Ecclesiastes 2:9

Jerusalem
Money and wealthWisdomPride

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,

8 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.

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.

11 Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

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

Compare

BSB
So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.
KJV
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
WEB
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
ASV
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
DARBY
And I became great, and increased more than all that had been before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
BLB
So I became great, and I added more than all who were before my face in Jerusalem. Also, my wisdom stood with me.
ÅB
Jeg ble større og mektigere enn alle som hadde vært før meg i Jerusalem; og min visdom hadde ikke forlatt meg.
OTB
Jeg ble større enn noen som hadde vært før meg i Jerusalem. I alt dette forble min visdom hos meg.
B1930
Jeg blev større og mektigere enn alle som hadde vært før mig i Jerusalem; og min visdom hadde ikke forlatt mig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Chronicles 29:25

    The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.

    Read in context

  • Ecclesiastes 1:16

    I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 10:23

    So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 9:22–23

    So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 3:12

    behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 10:7

    But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.

    Read in context

  • 2 Chronicles 1:1

    Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.

    Read in context