Ecclesiastes 2:9

9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 in Other Translations

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

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

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

9 Oh, how I prospered! I left all my predecessors in Jerusalem far behind, left them behind in the dust. What's more, I kept a clear head through it all.

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

9 So I grew richer than anyone in Jerusalem before me. Yet, my wisdom remained with me.

9 Thus, I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

9 I became far more important than anyone in Jerusalem had ever been before. And in spite of everything, I didn't lose my wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:9

So I was great
Became famous for the great works wrought by him before mentioned; and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem;
the Targum adds, "in riches"; but it seems rather to respect his fame and glory among men; though in general it may include his increase of wealth, power, and honour, and everything that contributed to his external happiness; also my wisdom remained with me;
the Targum adds, "and it helped me"; which he exercised and showed in the government of his kingdom, in the conduct of his family, in his personal deportment and behaviour; amidst all his pleasures, he did not neglect the study of natural knowledge, nor give himself up to sordid and sinful lusts; and so was a better judge of pleasure, whether true happiness consisted in it or not.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 In-Context

7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.

9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Cross References

• 1. Ecclesiastes 1:12
• 2. 1 Chronicles 29:25; Ecclesiastes 1:16