Ecclesiastes 2:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

So I was great {H1431}, and increased {H3254} more than all that were before {H6440} me in Jerusalem {H3389}: also my wisdom {H2451} remained {H5975} with me.

Complete Jewish Bible

So I grew great, surpassing all who preceded me in Yerushalayim; my wisdom, too, stayed with me.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 2:9 encapsulates the Preacher's (Koheleth's) assessment of his unparalleled achievements in material wealth, status, and personal greatness. Having embarked on a deliberate philosophical experiment to discover life's ultimate meaning and satisfaction apart from God, he recounts how he surpassed all previous rulers in Jerusalem in his accumulation of possessions and influence. Crucially, he notes that throughout this extensive pursuit of worldly endeavors, his wisdom remained intact, allowing him to critically observe and evaluate the true outcome of his vast undertakings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 2:9 is situated within the Preacher's detailed account of his "experiment" to find meaning in various earthly pursuits. Chapter 1 establishes the pervasive theme of "vanity of vanities" and the cyclical, unsatisfying nature of life "under the sun." Chapter 2 then delves into Koheleth's personal quest, beginning with the pursuit of pleasure and laughter ([Ecclesiastes 2:1-2](/ecclesiastes/2-1-2 "Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 - The Pursuit of Pleasure")), then grand architectural projects, gardens, and the acquisition of servants, livestock, silver, gold, and musical entertainment ([Ecclesiastes 2:4-8](/ecclesiastes/2-4-8 "Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 - The Preacher's Grand Projects and Possessions")). Verse 9 serves as a summary statement, asserting his preeminence in these endeavors before he moves on to evaluate the ultimate fruit of his labor in [Ecclesiastes 2:10-11](/ecclesiastes/2-10-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 - The Preacher's Conclusion on Labor"). This verse marks the apex of his worldly achievement, setting the stage for his profound disillusionment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the author of Ecclesiastes is traditionally identified as King Solomon, the book presents itself as the reflections of "the Preacher" (Koheleth). If Solomon, he would have reigned over a united Israel during a period of immense prosperity and peace (c. 970-931 BC), accumulating vast wealth and undertaking significant building projects, including the Temple and his own palace in Jerusalem ([1 Kings 6-7](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple") and [1 Kings 9-10](/1_kings/9 "1 Kings 9 - Solomon's Accomplishments and Wealth")). Ancient Near Eastern monarchs were expected to display their power and wisdom through such grand endeavors and extensive possessions. The reference to "all that were before me in Jerusalem" would likely refer to earlier Jebusite kings or perhaps even early Israelite leaders, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of his accomplishments. The cultural understanding of "wisdom" (Hebrew: *chokmah*) in this context was not merely intellectual knowledge but practical skill, discernment, and the ability to govern and manage affairs effectively ([1 Kings 3:12](/1_kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ecclesiastes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Human Endeavor and Achievement**, showcasing the pinnacle of what a human, even one with immense resources and wisdom, can achieve "under the sun." Secondly, it underscores the **Vanity of Earthly Pursuits**, as the Preacher's subsequent conclusions reveal that even this unparalleled greatness ultimately yielded no lasting satisfaction or meaning ([Ecclesiastes 2:11](/ecclesiastes/2-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:11 - All is Vanity")). Thirdly, the retention of his **Wisdom** is a critical theme; it signifies that his experiment was not born of foolishness or a loss of discernment, but was a deliberate, intellectual inquiry. His wisdom allowed him to objectively evaluate his experiences, leading him to the profound, if often pessimistic, conclusions found throughout the book, such as the observation that "there is nothing new under the sun" ([Ecclesiastes 1:9](/ecclesiastes/1-9 "Ecclesiastes 1:9 - Nothing New Under the Sun")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** A primitive root meaning "to twist," which extends to being or making large in various senses – body, mind, estate, or honor. It signifies advancement, exceeding, becoming excellent, or increasing. In this context, it speaks to the Preacher's elevated status, immense wealth, and significant influence, indicating a level of prominence and power that surpassed all predecessors.
* **increased (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to add or augment," often adverbially, to continue to do a thing. It implies continuation, exceeding, gathering more, or becoming stronger. Here, it emphasizes the continuous and expansive accumulation of wealth and resources, indicating a steady growth in his possessions and influence beyond what was previously known in Jerusalem.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** Derived from the root *chakam*, this noun refers to wisdom in a good sense, encompassing skill, insight, and understanding. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but also practical discernment and prudence. The phrase "my wisdom remained with me" is crucial, indicating that despite his indulgence in worldly pursuits, his capacity for critical thought, observation, and sound judgment was preserved, enabling him to objectively assess the outcomes of his grand experiment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem:":** This clause asserts the Preacher's unparalleled success and accumulation. He achieved a level of prominence ("great") and amassed more wealth and resources ("increased") than any ruler or significant figure who had preceded him in the city of Jerusalem. This highlights the apex of his worldly achievements, establishing his unique position of power, wealth, and influence as the context for his subsequent philosophical evaluation.
* **"also my wisdom remained with me."**: This crucial second clause qualifies the first. It emphasizes that his extensive pursuits of pleasure and material gain were not the result of a descent into foolishness or a loss of discernment. Rather, his innate wisdom, a gift from God, stayed with him. This allowed him to maintain an objective, critical perspective throughout his "experiment," enabling him to observe, analyze, and ultimately conclude that these worldly endeavors, despite their grandeur, were ultimately futile and unsatisfying.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declaration "increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem," which, while potentially true in a general sense for a figure like Solomon, serves to emphasize the extreme and unparalleled nature of his accomplishments. This exaggeration underscores the thoroughness of his experiment. The passage also functions as an **Autobiographical Narrative**, presenting the Preacher's personal experience as the basis for his philosophical conclusions. This lends a sense of authority and lived experience to his pronouncements. Finally, there is a subtle **Juxtaposition** between the external grandeur of his achievements ("great, and increased") and the internal persistence of his wisdom ("my wisdom remained with me"). This highlights that his pursuit was a calculated, intellectual endeavor, not a mindless indulgence, setting the stage for his reasoned, if bleak, conclusions about the vanity of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 2:9 profoundly illustrates the human tendency to seek ultimate satisfaction in worldly achievements, wealth, and status. Despite reaching the pinnacle of such pursuits, the Preacher's retained wisdom serves as a witness to the inherent emptiness of life lived "under the sun" without a transcendent purpose. This verse sets up the foundational argument of Ecclesiastes: that even the most impressive human accomplishments, when detached from God, lead to a sense of futility and meaninglessness. It challenges the common assumption that more possessions, greater power, or superior intellect will bring lasting joy, pointing instead to the inherent limitations of all earthly endeavors to satisfy the soul's deepest longings.

* [Proverbs 3:13-15](/proverbs/3-13-15 "Proverbs 3:13-15 - The Blessedness of Wisdom")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")
* [Matthew 16:26](/matthew/16-26 "Matthew 16:26 - What Does It Profit a Man?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 2:9 serves as a powerful reminder that true contentment and purpose cannot be found in the accumulation of wealth, status, or even extraordinary human achievement, regardless of how much wisdom one possesses in acquiring them. The Preacher, having surpassed all others in his worldly success, still found it to be "vanity and a striving after wind." This challenges us to critically examine our own sources of perceived fulfillment. Are we chasing after more possessions, higher positions, or greater recognition, believing these will finally bring us lasting happiness? The verse encourages a reorientation of our priorities, urging us to recognize that while God may bless us with resources and abilities, these are ultimately means to a greater end, not the end in themselves. Our deepest longings are designed for something beyond the finite and fleeting.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking "greatness" or "increase" that might ultimately prove unsatisfying?**
* **How does the Preacher's retained wisdom challenge my understanding of how wisdom relates to worldly pursuits?**
* **What are the "Jerusalems" in my life—the spheres where I measure my success against others—and how might I re-evaluate these metrics in light of Ecclesiastes?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Preacher's wisdom remaining with him throughout his extensive worldly pursuits?**

Answer: The retention of the Preacher's wisdom is profoundly significant because it validates the authenticity and objectivity of his "experiment." It demonstrates that his pursuit of pleasure, wealth, and grand projects was not the result of foolishness, a loss of discernment, or a descent into hedonism. Instead, he maintained his intellectual integrity and capacity for critical observation. This means his subsequent conclusion that all these endeavors were "vanity and a striving after wind" ([Ecclesiastes 2:11](/ecclesiastes/2-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:11 - All is Vanity")) was not the lament of a fool who squandered his life, but the reasoned, albeit somber, judgment of a wise man who meticulously tested the limits of human experience apart from God. His wisdom allowed him to see beyond the immediate gratification or superficial success to the ultimate emptiness of these pursuits.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 2:9, with its depiction of unparalleled earthly success still leading to a sense of vanity, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate insufficiency of all human striving apart from God, and thus points to the necessity of Christ. The Preacher's "wisdom" that remained with him, though great, could only diagnose the problem of futility, not provide the solution. In contrast, Jesus Christ is presented as the very **wisdom of God** personified ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge")), offering a wisdom that transcends the "under the sun" perspective of Ecclesiastes. While the Preacher found that accumulating "greatness" and "increase" ultimately profited nothing, Jesus taught His followers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")), promising that true treasure is laid up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay up treasures in heaven")). The ultimate fulfillment that eluded the Preacher in his vast earthly empire is found in Christ, who offers not fleeting satisfaction but eternal life and a purpose rooted in God's will, making all earthly gains seem like "rubbish" in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Him ([Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Gain is Loss for Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 29:25

And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him [such] royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

Ecclesiastes 1:16

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all [they] that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Kings 10:23

So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:22

And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:23

And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.

1 Kings 10:7

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

1 Kings 3:12

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.