2:9 So 1 I was far wealthier 2 than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,
yet I maintained my objectivity: 3
4:9 Two people are better than one,
because they can reap 4 more benefit 5 from their labor.
5:5 It is better for you not to vow
than to vow and not pay it. 6
7:3 Sorrow 7 is better than laughter,
because sober reflection 8 is good for the heart. 9
7:19 Wisdom gives a wise person more protection 10
than ten rulers in a city.
7:24 Whatever has happened is beyond human 11 understanding; 12
it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. 13
9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
1 tn The vav prefixed to וְגָדַלְתִּי (vÿgadalti, vav + Qal perfect first common singular from גָּדַל, gadal, “to be great; to increase”) functions in a final summarizing sense, that is, it introduces the concluding summary of 2:4-9.
2 tn Heb “I became great and I surpassed” (וְהוֹסַפְתִּי וְגָדַלְתִּי, vÿgadalti vÿhosafti). This is a verbal hendiadys in which the second verb functions adverbially, modifying the first: “I became far greater.” Most translations miss the hendiadys and render the line in a woodenly literal sense (KJV, ASV, RSV, NEB, NRSV, NAB, NASB, MLB, Moffatt), while only a few recognize the presence of hendiadys here: “I became greater by far” (NIV) and “I gained more” (NJPS).
3 tn Heb “yet my wisdom stood for me,” meaning he retained his wise perspective despite his great wealth.
4 tn Heb “they have.”
5 tn Heb “a good reward.”
6 tn The word “it” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
7 tn NEB suggests “grief”; NJPS, “vexation.”
8 tn Heb “in sadness of face there is good for the heart.”
9 tn Or possibly “Though the face is sad, the heart may be glad.”
10 tn Heb “gives strength.”
11 tn The word “human” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
12 tn Heb “is far away.”
13 tn Heb “It is deep, deep – who can find it?” The repetition of the word “deep” emphasizes the degree of incomprehensibility. See IBHS 233-34 §12.5a.