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Ecclesiastes 2:9

Context

2:9 So 1  I was far wealthier 2  than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,

yet I maintained my objectivity: 3 

Ecclesiastes 7:24

Context

7:24 Whatever has happened is beyond human 4  understanding; 5 

it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. 6 

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 The word “human” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

5 tn Heb “is far away.”

6 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.



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