Ecclesiastes 2:8 kjv

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.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 nkjv

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 niv

I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well?the delights of a man's heart.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 esv

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 nlt

I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!

Ecclesiastes 2 verses

Ecclesiastes 2 8 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 2:8 details the vast wealth and sophisticated pleasures King Solomon accumulated in his comprehensive pursuit of satisfaction. He amassed immense riches from various lands, surrounded himself with lavish entertainment through musicians, and indulged in the highest forms of human gratification, including a multitude of relationships. This verse illustrates the depth of his material and sensual acquisition, a key part of his personal experiment to determine what truly brings lasting contentment "under the sun," only to find it, like all his other endeavors, to be ultimately vain and meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 2 8 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 2 describes King Solomon's exhaustive personal experiment to test every possible source of meaning and happiness "under the sun"—meaning human experience devoid of explicit divine revelation. Following his investigation into wisdom in chapter 1 and the realization that much of it is vanity, chapter 2 focuses on a deliberate, unbridled pursuit of pleasure and accumulation. Solomon spared no expense or effort, indulging in grand architectural projects, planting vast vineyards and gardens, amassing great herds, acquiring numerous servants, and gathering unprecedented wealth and luxurious entertainment. Verse 8 fits directly within this narrative, itemizing the pinnacle of his material acquisitions: immense treasuries, sophisticated musical entertainment, and a vast collection of intimate relationships, reflecting a life of ultimate indulgence. The overarching goal of this "project" was to discover if any of these earthly pursuits could provide lasting satisfaction or purpose, a quest that ultimately leads to the Preacher's repeated conclusion: "all is vanity and a chasing after wind."

Ecclesiastes 2 8 Word analysis

• I also gathered: The Hebrew verb for "gathered" (קָבַצְתִּי, kavats'ti) implies a deliberate, active effort to amass and accumulate, suggesting a methodical approach rather than incidental gain. It signifies an intentional collection from various sources.
• for myself: This phrase highlights the self-centered nature of the pursuit. The aim was personal gratification and an attempt to fulfill individual desire for happiness.
• silver and gold: (כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב, kesef v'zahav). Standard terms for monetary wealth and precious metals, signifying vast material riches. These were primary symbols of power and economic success in the ancient world, often acquired through trade, taxation, and tribute.
• the treasure of kings and provinces: (סְגֻלַּת מְלָכִים וּמְדִינוֹת, s'gul'lat m'lakhim u'medinot). "Treasure" (segullah) refers to unique or specially acquired possessions, often associated with a king's personal treasury or collected as tribute from conquered lands or vassal states. This implies Solomon's dominion extended over "provinces" or vast regions, from which he extracted valuable assets, demonstrating imperial wealth beyond common riches.
• I acquired: The verb (קָנִיתִי, qani'ti) means "to buy, get, or obtain," indicating that these things were actively sought out and possessed.
• male and female singers: (שָׁרִים וְשָׁרוֹת, sharim v'sharot). Essential elements of a royal court, providing sophisticated musical entertainment and cultural refinement. This highlights the indulgence in aesthetic and sensory pleasures, not just material goods.
• and the delights of the sons of men: (וְתַעֲנוּגוֹת בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, v'ta'anugot b'nei ha'adam). This is a broad term for the most refined pleasures, luxuries, and forms of sensual gratification that humankind enjoys. It's an inclusive phrase covering anything deemed pleasurable by humanity at its highest level of sophistication, often associated with exquisite foods, drinks, and various entertainments.
• many concubines: (שִׁדָּה וְשִׁדּוֹת, shidda v'shiddoṯ). This phrase is notably difficult in Hebrew. While modern translations (like ESV, NIV, NASB) widely render it as "many concubines" or "many wives," aligning with 1 Kgs 11:3 which records Solomon's 700 wives and 300 concubines, the precise meaning of shidda v'shiddoṯ is debated. Other proposed translations include "chest upon chest" (for treasures), "baths and baths" (luxury), or even "cupbearers" (LXX). However, "concubines" fits best with the context of a king's extravagant personal life, emphasizing the ultimate indulgence in intimate relationships as a pursuit of satisfaction, alongside wealth and entertainment. This accumulation points to an excess that reflects Solomon's historical reality and his all-encompassing search for satisfaction.

Ecclesiastes 2 8 Bonus section

The ambiguous Hebrew phrase for "many concubines" (שִׁדָּה וְשִׁדּוֹת) invites consideration of its symbolic depth. Regardless of the exact interpretation, whether chests, baths, or musical instruments, the core idea points to ultimate excess and a king's unrestrained access to the most luxurious and sensually gratifying elements available in his era. The traditional translation of "concubines" aligns perfectly with Solomon's historical description in Kings, portraying a life of unprecedented sensual indulgence. This highlights the narrative voice of Qoheleth presenting himself as one who explored the peak of human pleasure. The repeated pursuit of various forms of satisfaction—material, intellectual, sensual—underlines a pervasive human tendency to seek contentment in creation rather than the Creator, which Ecclesiastes consistently deems "vanity" or a futile "chasing after wind."

Ecclesiastes 2 8 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:8 profoundly underscores the human inclination to seek ultimate satisfaction in accumulated wealth, lavish entertainment, and abundant relationships. Solomon, in his unprecedented capacity, explores these avenues to their utmost extent, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for meaning "under the sun." This verse specifically itemizes the extent of his material opulence and sensual indulgence, demonstrating a life lived without reservation in pursuit of earthly pleasures. Yet, the entire narrative of Ecclesiastes proves these endeavors to be futile. Despite possessing what most people could only dream of, Solomon found it to be mere "vanity"—a vapor, transient and unsatisfying in its core. The very inclusion of these seemingly ultimate sources of happiness within the "vanity" argument of Ecclesiastes is a powerful statement that true, lasting joy and purpose cannot be found in human acquisition or pleasure, regardless of scale. It prompts the reader to look beyond earthly accumulation for true fulfillment.