Ecclesiastes 1:16
"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

I communed with my own heart,.... That is, looked into it, examined it, and considered what a stock and fund of knowledge he had in it, after all his researches into it; what happiness accrued to him by it, and what judgment upon the whole was to be formed upon it; and he spoke within himself after this manner: saying, lo, I am come to great estate; or become a great man; famous for wisdom, arrived to a very great

pitch of it; greatly increased in it, through a diligent application to it; and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem; or, "that before me were over Jerusalem" (p); governors of it, or in it; not only than the Jebusites, but than Saul, the first king of Israel, or than even his father David; or, as Gussetius (q), than any princes, rulers, and civil magistrates in Jerusalem, in his own days or in the days of his father; and also than all the priests and prophets, as well as princes, that ever had been there: and indeed he was wiser than all men, Kg1 4:30 ; and even than any that had been in Jerusalem, or any where else, or that should be hereafter, excepting the Messiah; see Kg1 3:12 . And seeing this is said of him by others, and even by the Lord himself, it might not only be said with truth by himself, but without ostentation; seeing it was necessary it should be said to answer his purpose, which was to show the vanity of human wisdom in its highest pitch; and it was nowhere to be found higher than in himself; yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge; or, "saw much wisdom and knowledge" (r); he thoroughly understood it, he was a complete master of it; it was not a superficial knowledge he had attained unto, or a few lessons of it he had committed to memory; some slight notions in his head, or scraps of things he had collected together, in an undigested manner; but he had made himself thoroughly acquainted with everything worthy to be known, and had digested it in his mind. (p) "super Jerusalaim", Montanus, Cocceius, Schmidt; "qui praefueriut ante me Jeruscthalamis", Junius & Tremellius. (q) Comment. Heb. p. 604. (r) "vidit multum sapientiae et scientiae", Montanus, Amama; "vidit plurimam sapientiam et scientiam", Tigurine version.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (22 words)

H1696 דָבַר
Definition:

— (1) Arabicdepart, perish, IV.retreat, figurativeretrograde, decline;passing away, death; Assyriandabâru, Pi`eldrive away, BezOrient. Diplom, Vocab.,Dibbara, pest-god, Hpt. in KAT2. 500,דֶּבֶרpestile — (1) Arabicdepart, perish, IV.retreat, figurativeretrograde, decline;passing away, death; Assyriandabâru, Pi`eldrive away, BezOrient. Diplom, Vocab.,Dibbara, pest-god, Hpt. in KAT2. 500,דֶּבֶרpestile

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H0589 אֲנַי
Definition:

17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham 17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham

Possible Meanings:
  • ships (semantic_range)
  • fleet (semantic_range)
H5973 עִם
Definition:

compare √ענד), without difference of meaning (עמיin PentateuchGenesis 31:31;Genesis 39:7,12,14;Exodus 33:12;Leviticus 26:21,23,27,40 [H]Numbers 22:19; Joshua-Kings 13 t.;Psalm 42:9;Psalm 86:17;Job 10: compare √ענד), without difference of meaning (עמיin PentateuchGenesis 31:31;Genesis 39:7,12,14;Exodus 33:12;Leviticus 26:21,23,27,40 [H]Numbers 22:19; Joshua-Kings 13 t.;Psalm 42:9;Psalm 86:17;Job 10:

H3820 לֵב
Definition:

15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9 15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9

Possible Meanings:
  • in the midst of the sea (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H0589 אֲנַי
Definition:

17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham 17;Genesis 9:9,12 + often Following a participle as its subject (to express mostly either a true present or the futurum instans [immanent future])Genesis 18:17הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִיAmos I hidingfrom Abraham

Possible Meanings:
  • ships (semantic_range)
  • fleet (semantic_range)
H2009 הִנֵּה
Definition:

2,demonstrative particlelo! behold!(certainly, surely, literallylo !), with suffix (the pronoun being conceived as accusative, Ew§ 262 c.; compare,, which takes an accusative, whether of a noun or pro 2,demonstrative particlelo! behold!(certainly, surely, literallylo !), with suffix (the pronoun being conceived as accusative, Ew§ 262 c.; compare,, which takes an accusative, whether of a noun or pro

Possible Meanings:
  • hither (semantic_range)
H1431 גָּדַל
Definition:

1414t.; suffixגְּדֵלַנִיJob 31:18;Imperfectיִגְדַּלetc.Psalm 35:2734t.; —1grow up,a.childGenesis 21:8,20;Genesis 25:27;Genesis 38:11,14;Exodus 2:10,11 (JE)Judges 11:2;Judges 13:24;Ruth 1:12;1 Samuel 2 1414t.; suffixגְּדֵלַנִיJob 31:18;Imperfectיִגְדַּלetc.Psalm 35:2734t.; —1grow up,a.childGenesis 21:8,20;Genesis 25:27;Genesis 38:11,14;Exodus 2:10,11 (JE)Judges 11:2;Judges 13:24;Ruth 1:12;1 Samuel 2

Possible Meanings:
  • very great (semantic_range)
H3254 יָסַף
Definition:

21לספת; SabeanוסףHomZMG 1892, 530; Assyrianesêpudubious (eƒêpuDl) —QalPerfectיָסַףGenesis 38:26+;יָ˜סְפָהGenesis 8:12;וְיָ˜סְפָהconsecutive2 Kings 19:30=Isaiah 37:31;יָסַ֫פְתָּIsaiah 26:15; 2Chronicle 21לספת; SabeanוסףHomZMG 1892, 530; Assyrianesêpudubious (eƒêpuDl) —QalPerfectיָסַףGenesis 38:26+;יָ˜סְפָהGenesis 8:12;וְיָ˜סְפָהconsecutive2 Kings 19:30=Isaiah 37:31;יָסַ֫פְתָּIsaiah 26:15; 2Chronicle

Possible Meanings:
  • add (semantic_range)
H2451 חָכְמָה
Definition:

3106t.; constructחָכְמַתExodus 35:3515t.; suffixחָכְמָתִיEcclesiastes 2:9, etc. + 25 t. suffix; plural abstract emphaticחָכְמוֺתPsalm 49:4;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 9:1;Proverbs 24:7;חַכְמוֺתProverbs 14: 3106t.; constructחָכְמַתExodus 35:3515t.; suffixחָכְמָתִיEcclesiastes 2:9, etc. + 25 t. suffix; plural abstract emphaticחָכְמוֺתPsalm 49:4;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 9:1;Proverbs 24:7;חַכְמוֺתProverbs 14:

Possible Meanings:
  • wisdom (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H6440 פָנִים
Definition:

23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ 23and (Ezekiel =Proverbs 21:21=edge; on2 Samuel 10:9see below)feminineface, alsofaces(asturnedtoward one); — plural absoluteמָּנִיםGenesis 32:31+; constructמְּנֵי2 Samuel 14:32+; suffix 1 singularמָּנ

H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3389 יְרוּשָׁלַם
Definition:

10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1 10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1

Possible Meanings:
  • Jerusalem (semantic_range)
H3820 לֵב
Definition:

15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9 15(feminineProverbs 12:25, from influence ofנֶפֶשׁsee De Now)inner man, mind will, heart, absolute and constructלֵבGenesis 8:21239t.;לֶבֿExodus 15:815t.; suffixלִבִּיGenesis 24:45102t.;לִבְּךָExodus 9

Possible Meanings:
  • in the midst of the sea (semantic_range)
H7200 רָאָה
Definition:

7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas 7, compareריחspectacleDeuteronomy 1:12; Sabeanראיsee, expectDHMZMG xxix (1875), 506,599; Arabicsee, so Ethiopicᵑ7רֵו,רֵיוָאhumanappearance, features, etc. (compare Hebrewרְָאִי2)); —Qal1141Perfect3mas

Possible Meanings:
  • vision (semantic_range)
H7235 רָבָה
Definition:

A primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect) -- (bring in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake forrabab), be in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full o A primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect) -- (bring in) abundance (X -antly), + archer (by mistake forrabab), be in authority, bring up, X continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full o

Possible Meanings:
  • grow great (semantic_range)
  • grow tall and large (semantic_range)
  • make great (semantic_range)
H2451 חָכְמָה
Definition:

3106t.; constructחָכְמַתExodus 35:3515t.; suffixחָכְמָתִיEcclesiastes 2:9, etc. + 25 t. suffix; plural abstract emphaticחָכְמוֺתPsalm 49:4;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 9:1;Proverbs 24:7;חַכְמוֺתProverbs 14: 3106t.; constructחָכְמַתExodus 35:3515t.; suffixחָכְמָתִיEcclesiastes 2:9, etc. + 25 t. suffix; plural abstract emphaticחָכְמוֺתPsalm 49:4;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 9:1;Proverbs 24:7;חַכְמוֺתProverbs 14:

Possible Meanings:
  • wisdom (semantic_range)
H1847 דַּעַת
Definition:

6Daniel 12:4(masculineProverbs 2:10;Proverbs 14:6, possiblyJob 33:3Ew§174 g)knowledge(properly Infinitive, which appears clearlyGenesis 2:9,17;Jeremiah 22:16) — absoluteדַּ֫עַתGenesis 2:935t.;דָּ֑עַתJ 6Daniel 12:4(masculineProverbs 2:10;Proverbs 14:6, possiblyJob 33:3Ew§174 g)knowledge(properly Infinitive, which appears clearlyGenesis 2:9,17;Jeremiah 22:16) — absoluteדַּ֫עַתGenesis 2:935t.;דָּ֑עַתJ

Possible Meanings:
  • perception (semantic_range)
  • skill (semantic_range)

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