Keraia
Ecclesiastes 2

Ecclesiastes 2:8

The Futility of Pleasure · Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
Read Ecclesiastes 2

Translations

Modern
…and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.
Traditional
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.
Literal
I gathered for myself also silver and gold, and the property of kings and of the provinces; I appointed for myself male singers and female singers, and the delights of the sons of man—a wife and wives.
Latin
…coacervavi mihi argentum et aurum, et substantias regum ac provinciarum; feci mihi cantores et cantatrices, et delicias filiorum hominum, scyphos, et urceos in ministerio ad vina fundenda;

Original

Hebrew
English
…and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 2:8

  • silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces: Solomon ruled from the Fertile Crescent, north and east of Israel, to Egypt's border in the south. He gained wealth in precious metals through trade, gifts from admiring rulers, and taxes from lands within his empire (1 Kings 4:21; 9:28; 10:14, 22–25; 1 Chronicles 29:4; 2 Chronicles 9:26–27).

  • many concubines: Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines by the end of his reign (1 Kings 11:3).

Ecclesiastes 2:4–8

Solomon built both small structures like porches and gates and large ones like entire cities (see 1 Kings 9:15–19). He mainly built these projects for his own enjoyment, including the palace and its related buildings (see 1 Kings 7:1–12).

Ecclesiastes 2:1–11

The Teacher says seeking pleasure for its own sake is empty. Even great achievements are like smoke.

Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26

The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes Concubinage, Concubines Futility

Topics

Amusements and Worldly Pleasures: The Wicked Seek for Happiness In Epicureans: Doctrines Propagated By, Familiar to Solomon Gold: Vanity of Heaping Up Investigation: General Scriptures Concerning Music: Designed to Promote Joy Music: Instruments of Great Diversity of Music: Instruments of Made by Solomon Music: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Music: Vanity of all Unsanctified Pleasure: Worldly Silver: Abundance of Solomon: Musicians and Musical Instruments of his Court Vanity: Worldly Possessions Are Wisdom: Worldly Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning Worldly Amusements and Pleasures: The Wicked Seek for Happiness In