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Ecclesiastes 2:7

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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:

I got {H7069} me servants {H5650} and maidens {H8198}, and had servants born {H1121} in my house {H1004}; also I had great {H7235} possessions {H4735} of great {H1241} and small cattle {H6629} above all that were in Jerusalem {H3389} before {H6440} me:

I bought male and female slaves, and I had my home-born slaves as well. I also had growing herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, more than anyone before me in Yerushalayim.

I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me,

I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;

Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:7 is part of the Preacher's (traditionally King Solomon's) detailed account of his comprehensive quest for meaning and satisfaction apart from God. In this chapter, he systematically explores various avenues of earthly pleasure and achievement, including grand building projects, lavish entertainment, and the accumulation of vast wealth. This verse specifically highlights his immense material possessions and human resources, showcasing the scale of his worldly success.

Context

Following his exploration of wisdom and folly in Ecclesiastes 1, the Preacher embarks on an ambitious experiment with pleasure and material pursuits. Ecclesiastes 2 details his efforts to find lasting joy and purpose in worldly endeavors. From planting vineyards and building magnificent houses to amassing gold and silver, he leaves no stone unturned. Verse 7 describes his acquisition of human labor and livestock, which were primary indicators of wealth and power in the ancient Near East. This accumulation was not accidental but a deliberate and exhaustive attempt to see if these things could truly satisfy his soul.

Key Themes

  • Immense Material Wealth: The verse vividly portrays the Preacher's unparalleled riches, encompassing a vast workforce and extensive livestock. This level of possession was a hallmark of his reign, as seen in 1 Kings 10:23.
  • Pursuit of Earthly Fulfillment: The acquisition of these assets was part of a deliberate, systematic attempt to find lasting joy and purpose in worldly possessions, a central theme of Ecclesiastes 2.
  • Human Labor and Status: Owning a multitude of servants, including those "born in my house," signified extreme social standing and economic power. It underscored the Preacher's ability to command vast resources and labor.
  • The Limits of Acquisition: Despite this immense wealth and influence, the Preacher ultimately concludes that all his efforts and possessions were "vanity and vexation of spirit" (Ecclesiastes 2:11), reinforcing the overarching theme of vanity found throughout the book.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Servants and maidens" (Hebrew: avadim v'shefachot): Refers to male and female bondservants, who were essential for managing a large household, agricultural estates, and various enterprises.
  • "Servants born in my house" (Hebrew: yelidey bayit): This phrase signifies those born into servitude within the master's household. It points to a deeply established, often hereditary, workforce and speaks to the longevity and stability of the Preacher's wealth and power. It implies generations of ownership, reflecting considerable inherited and accumulated prosperity.
  • "Great possessions of great and small cattle": This emphasizes the sheer quantity and variety of his livestock (sheep, goats, oxen, donkeys, camels), which were primary indicators of wealth in an agrarian society, providing food, labor, and trade goods. The phrase "above all that were in Jerusalem before me" further highlights his unparalleled economic dominance and prosperity.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 2:7, within its broader context, serves as a powerful reminder that material possessions, no matter how vast or impressive, cannot ultimately satisfy the human soul or provide lasting meaning and fulfillment. While wealth can provide comfort and opportunity, it is inherently limited in its ability to bring true happiness or purpose.

This verse challenges us to consider where we place our hope and derive our sense of security and significance. The Preacher, having experienced the pinnacle of worldly success and accumulation, ultimately declared it empty. True contentment and lasting satisfaction are found not in what we acquire or control, but in a relationship with God and a life lived according to His eternal purposes, recognizing that everything "under the sun" is temporary.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 15:3 (2 votes)

    And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

  • 1 Kings 9:20 (2 votes)

    [And] all the people [that were] left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which [were] not of the children of Israel,

  • 1 Kings 9:22 (2 votes)

    But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they [were] men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.

  • 1 Kings 4:23 (2 votes)

    Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:10 (2 votes)

    Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen [also], and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:27 (2 votes)

    And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

  • 2 Chronicles 32:29 (2 votes)

    Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.