Ecclesiastes 1:16 “I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond…”

Ecclesiastes 1:16

I 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.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

I 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.”

American Standard Version

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

Geneva Bible 1599

I thought in mine heart, and said, Behold, I am become great, and excell in wisdome all them that haue bene before me in Ierusalem: and mine heart hath seene much wisedome and knowledge.

Darby Translation

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath seen much of wisdom and knowledge.

Young's Literal Translation

I — I spake with my heart, saying, 'I, lo, I have magnified and added wisdom above every one who hath been before me at Jerusalem, and my heart hath seen abundantly wisdom and knowledge.

Bible in Basic English

I said to my heart, See, I have become great and am increased in wisdom more than any who were before me in Jerusalem — yes, my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.

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Cross references

“communed”

Psalm 4:4 2 Kings 5:20 Psalm 77:6 Isaiah 10:7–14 Jeremiah 22:14 Daniel 4:30

Psalm 4:4 · BSB

Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah

2 Kings 5:20 · BSB

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Psalm 77:6 · BSB

At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:

Isaiah 10:7–14 · BSB

But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

Jeremiah 22:14 · BSB

who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion.

Daniel 4:30 · BSB

the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

“Lo”

Ecclesiastes 2:9 1 Kings 4:30 1 Kings 10:7 2 Chronicles 1:10–12 2 Chronicles 2:12 1 Kings 3:12

Ecclesiastes 2:9 · BSB

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

1 Kings 4:30 · BSB

Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 10:7 · BSB

But 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.

2 Chronicles 1:10–12 · BSB

Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”

2 Chronicles 2:12 · BSB

And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for…

1 Kings 3:12 · BSB

behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.

“great experience of”

Hebrews 5:14

Hebrews 5:14 · BSB

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15What is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.

17So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.

Read Ecclesiastes 1