Ecclesiastes 2:8

I also accumulated for myself silver and gold, the treasures of kings and provinces. I got male and female singers for myself—the delights of the children of humanity—and many concubines. + 2:8 Modern versions interpret the last part of this verse in different ways: everything that pleases people , concubines and everything that pleases men , etc.

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

7I purchased male slaves and female slaves; I had slaves born in my palace. I also had large herds and flocks of livestock, much more than any king who ruled before me in Jerusalem.

9So I became greater and wealthier than all who were before me in Jerusalem, and my wisdom remained with me. 1

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

2 Samuel 19:35I am eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a burden to my master the king?

1 Kings 9:28They went to Ophir with servants of Solomon. From there they brought back 420 talents of gold for King Solomon.

1 Kings 10:14Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,

1 Kings 11:3Solomon had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away.

1 Kings 14:27King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house.

1 Chronicles 25:6All these were under the direction of their fathers. They were musicians in Yahweh's house, with cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God's house. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king's supervision.

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 2:8