So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me.
Parallel translations
- WEB So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also 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.
- BSB So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.
- NKJV So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
- NASB Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
He became greater than all before him, yet his wisdom remained with him. He achieved supreme greatness while still retaining clear judgment.
Overview
Qoheleth emphasizes that his vast success did not cloud his discernment; he observed it all wisely. This combination of unmatched greatness and retained wisdom makes his assessment trustworthy. The verse heightens the tension: the wisest, greatest man is about to declare that all of it amounts to vanity.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Chr 29:25Yahweh magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and gave to him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
- Eccl 1:16I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
- 1 Kgs 10:23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
- 2 Chr 9:22–23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
- 1 Kgs 10:7However I didn’t believe the words until I came and my eyes had seen it. Behold, not even half was told me! Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard.
- 2 Chr 1:1Solomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and Yahweh his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great.
- 1 Kgs 3:12behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The search that finds everything 'under the sun' to be vapor exposes the emptiness of life without God and drives us to the one who alone gives meaning, the resurrection that makes our labor not in vain.
How Ecclesiastes 2:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.