King James Version
Ecclesiastes 2:9 in the King James Version says “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.”
Ecclesiastes 2:9 · KJV
I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: servants born: Heb. sons of my house
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. musical: Heb. musical instrument and instruments
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“So I was great”
H1431to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
“and increased”
H3254to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“more than all that were before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
“me in Jerusalem”
H3389jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
“remained”
H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Ecclesiastes 2:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Ecclesiastes 2:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge