Ecclesiastes 2:9

So I was great, and excelled more than all that were before me in Yerushalayim; also my chochmah remained with me.

Orthodox Jewish Bible

In The King James Version

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

In Context

8I amassed for me also kesef and zahav, and the treasure of melachim and of the provinces; I acquired for me men singers and women singers, and the delights of bnei haAdam, musical instruments of all kinds.

10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my lev from any simchah; for my lev rejoiced in all my amal (labor); and this was my chelek (portion) for all my amal.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

1 Kings 10:7Howbeit I believed not the devarim, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and, hinei, the half was not told me; thy chochmah and tov (prosperity) exceedeth the fame which I heard.

1 Chronicles 29:25And Hashem magnified Sh'lomo exceedingly in the eyes of all Yisroel, and bestowed upon him such hod malchut (royal majesty) as had not been on any melech before him in Yisroel.

2 Chronicles 9:22And Sh'lomo HaMelech surpassed all the Malkhei HaAretz in riches and chochmah.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:2-12

Vanity of Worldly Pleasure. 1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 2:9