Ecclesiastes 2:9

BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

“So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.”

What this verse means

A short, plain-language explanation of Ecclesiastes 2:9 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.

Compare translations
BSBPD

“So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.”

Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)
KJVPD

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

King James Version · Public Domain
ASVPD

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

American Standard Version · Public Domain
YLTPD

“And I became great, and increased above every one who had been before me in Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.”

Young's Literal Translation · Public Domain
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Cross references

Other passages that echo Ecclesiastes 2:9 — 7 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  1. 1 Kings 3:12behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
  2. 1 Kings 10:7But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.
  3. 1 Kings 10:23So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
  4. 1 Chronicles 29:25The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.
  5. 2 Chronicles 1:1Now Solomon son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and highly exalted him.
  6. 2 Chronicles 9:22So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
  7. Ecclesiastes 1:16I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).

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