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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 2:8–14

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 78 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 8

  1. 1 Kings 10:10Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    10And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

  2. 1 Kings 9:28Rank 2 from verse 8
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    28And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.

  3. 2 Samuel 19:35Rank 3 from verse 8
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    35I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

  4. 1 Kings 10:14Rank 4 from verse 8
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    14¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,

  5. 1 Chronicles 25:1Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    1MOREOVER David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

  6. 1 Chronicles 25:6Rank 6 from verse 8
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    6All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king’s order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

  7. 1 Kings 10:21Rank 7 from verse 8
    Open

    21¶ And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

  8. 1 Kings 14:21–22Rank 8 from verse 8
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    21¶ And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

    22And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

  9. 1 Kings 14:27Rank 9 from verse 8
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    27And king Rehoboam made in their stead brasen shields, and committed them unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the king’s house.

  10. 1 Kings 9:14Rank 10 from verse 8
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    14And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.

  11. 2 Chronicles 9:11Rank 11 from verse 8
    Open

    11And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord, and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.

  12. 2 Chronicles 9:15–21Rank 12 from verse 8
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    15¶ And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.

    16And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

    17Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

    18And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

    19And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.

    20¶ And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

    21For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

  13. Amos 6:5Rank 13 from verse 8
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    5That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

  14. Daniel 3:15Rank 14 from verse 8
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    15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

  15. Daniel 3:5Rank 15 from verse 8
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    5That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

  16. Daniel 3:7Rank 16 from verse 8
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    7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

  17. Ezra 2:65Rank 17 from verse 8
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    65Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

  18. Job 21:11–12Rank 18 from verse 8
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    11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

    12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

  19. Psalms 150:3–5Rank 19 from verse 8
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    3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

    4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

    5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

From verse 9

  1. 1 Chronicles 29:25Rank 1 from verse 9
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    25And 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.

  2. Ecclesiastes 1:16Rank 2 from verse 9
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    16I 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.

  3. 1 Kings 10:23Rank 3 from verse 9
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    23So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

  4. 2 Chronicles 9:22–23Rank 4 from verse 9
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    22And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

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

  5. 1 Kings 10:7Rank 5 from verse 9
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    7Howbeit 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.

  6. 1 Kings 3:12Rank 6 from verse 9
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    12Behold, 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.

  7. 2 Chronicles 1:1Rank 7 from verse 9
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    1AND Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.

From verse 10

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:22Rank 1 from verse 10
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    22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

  2. Ecclesiastes 5:18Rank 2 from verse 10
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    18¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

  3. Ecclesiastes 9:9Rank 3 from verse 10
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    9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

  4. Psalms 119:37Rank 4 from verse 10
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    37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

  5. Psalms 128:2Rank 5 from verse 10
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    2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

  6. 1 John 2:16Rank 6 from verse 10
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    16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  7. Ecclesiastes 2:22Rank 7 from verse 10
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    22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

  8. Ecclesiastes 11:9Rank 8 from verse 10
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    9¶ Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

  9. Ecclesiastes 6:9Rank 9 from verse 10
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    9¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

  10. Genesis 3:6Rank 10 from verse 10
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    6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

  11. Genesis 6:2Rank 11 from verse 10
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    2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

  12. Job 31:1Rank 12 from verse 10
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    1I MADE a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

  13. Judges 14:2Rank 13 from verse 10
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    2And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

  14. Proverbs 23:5Rank 14 from verse 10
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    5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

From verse 11

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 1 from verse 11
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    14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  2. 1 John 2:16–17Rank 2 from verse 11
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    16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

    17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  3. Ecclesiastes 1:3Rank 3 from verse 11
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    3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

  4. 1 Timothy 6:6Rank 4 from verse 11
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    6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

  5. Exodus 39:43Rank 5 from verse 11
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    43And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

  6. Genesis 1:31Rank 6 from verse 11
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    31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

  7. Ecclesiastes 2:17–23Rank 7 from verse 11
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    17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

    18¶ Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

    19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

    20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

    21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

    22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

    23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

  8. Habakkuk 2:13Rank 8 from verse 11
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    13Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

From verse 12

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:17Rank 1 from verse 12
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    17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

  2. Ecclesiastes 7:25Rank 2 from verse 12
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    25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

  3. Ecclesiastes 1:9–10Rank 3 from verse 12
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    9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

    10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

From verse 13

  1. Ephesians 5:8Rank 1 from verse 13
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    8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  2. Ecclesiastes 7:11–12Rank 2 from verse 13
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    11¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

    12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

  3. Ecclesiastes 11:7Rank 3 from verse 13
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    7¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

  4. Matthew 6:23Rank 4 from verse 13
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    23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

  5. Luke 11:34–35Rank 5 from verse 13
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    34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

    35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

  6. Malachi 3:18–2Rank 6 from verse 13
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    Verse text is unavailable.

  7. Psalms 119:105Rank 7 from verse 13
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    105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

  8. Ecclesiastes 7:19Rank 8 from verse 13
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    19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

  9. Ecclesiastes 9:16Rank 9 from verse 13
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    16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

  10. Ecclesiastes 9:18Rank 10 from verse 13
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    18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

  11. Proverbs 16:16Rank 11 from verse 13
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    16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  12. Proverbs 4:18–19Rank 12 from verse 13
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    18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

    19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

  13. Proverbs 4:5–7Rank 13 from verse 13
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    5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

    6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

    7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

  14. Psalms 119:130Rank 14 from verse 13
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    130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

From verse 14

  1. Psalms 49:10Rank 1 from verse 14
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    10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

  2. Proverbs 17:24Rank 2 from verse 14
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    24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

  3. Ecclesiastes 9:11Rank 3 from verse 14
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    11¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  4. 1 John 2:11Rank 4 from verse 14
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    11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

  5. Ecclesiastes 3:19Rank 5 from verse 14
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    19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

  6. Ecclesiastes 9:1–3Rank 6 from verse 14
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    1FOR all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

    2All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

    3This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

  7. Ecclesiastes 10:2–3Rank 7 from verse 14
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    2A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

    3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

  8. Ecclesiastes 6:6Rank 8 from verse 14
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    6¶ Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

  9. Ecclesiastes 7:2Rank 9 from verse 14
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    2It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

  10. Ecclesiastes 8:1Rank 10 from verse 14
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    1WHO is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

  11. Ecclesiastes 9:16Rank 11 from verse 14
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    16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

  12. Proverbs 14:8Rank 12 from verse 14
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    8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

  13. Psalms 19:10Rank 13 from verse 14
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    10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:8

COMBINED MEANING

gathered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of gather, meaning to collect, bring together, or assemble.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

silver

↗

A precious white metal used for money, vessels, ornaments, images, trade, valuation, and refining; by extension, money or wealth reckoned in that metal.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

treasure

↗

Sense 1: Valuable things or provisions stored; a specially valued possession. Sense 2: An inward store from which something is brought forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

gat

↗

1. Past of get: went or moved to the stated place or position. 2. Obtained, gained, or acquired. 3. In ‘gat hold,’ took hold or seized.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

delights

↗

Sense 1: Great pleasures, joys, or things that give pleasure. Sense 2: As a verb, gives great pleasure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

musical

↗

Relating to or producing music.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

instruments

↗

Sense 1: Tools or implements by which work is done or effects are produced. Sense 2: Devices made to produce music.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sorts

↗

Kinds, classes, varieties, or distinct categories of persons, creatures, materials, seed, work, or things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:9

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

remained

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of remain. Sense 1: To be left or still exist after others are gone, removed, consumed, or destroyed. Sense 2: To stay, abide, or continue in a place, state, condition, or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:10

COMBINED MEANING

whatsoever

↗

Whatever, anything that, or every thing of the kind or within the condition and scope stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

desired

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of desire, meaning to wish for, long for, request, or take pleasure in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

joy

↗

Sense 1: Gladness, delight, or rejoicing. Sense 2: To rejoice, delight, or be glad.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

portion

↗

A part, share, allotment, inheritance, assigned duty, reward, or outcome belonging or given to someone.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:11

COMBINED MEANING

looked

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of look, meaning to direct the eyes or attention; to behold, observe, expect, or take heed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wrought

↗

Worked, laboured, acted, made, formed, fashioned, performed, produced, or brought about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

profit

↗

Sense 1: Benefit or advantage. Sense 2: To benefit, improve, or advance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:12

COMBINED MEANING

turned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

madness

↗

Extreme folly; headstrong passion and rashness that act in opposition to reason; Wildness of passion; fury; rage.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:13

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

light

↗

Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

darkness

↗

Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:14

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

head

↗

The upper part of the body; a chief, source, summit, or leading position.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

darkness

↗

Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 2:1–17

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:1I SAID in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

2:2I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

2:3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

2:4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

2:5I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

2:6I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

2:7I 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:

2:8I 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.

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2:9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

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2:10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

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2:11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

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2:12¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

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2:13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

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2:14The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

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2:15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

2:16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

2:17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

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