A Monotonous Cycle, Part 3

I didn’t read the Old Testament much until I was a philosophical and legalistic young man fighting my way back from atheism. I had already decided to side with God, more or less. The more I read the Old Testament the more I hated the Israelites, stupid, rebellious people who never seemed to learn a thing that God tried so patiently to teach them. Of course, the moment I articulated that thought was also the moment I realized that the ancient Israelites depicted in the Bible are a fair and accurate representation of most of us. But I was shocked the first time I heard someone blame Solomon’s excessive building projects for causing the rebellion that divided the kingdom of Israel.

This particular critic didn’t mention Solomon’s idolatry and God’s intervention to take most of the kingdom from Solomon’s son as a possible or even a remotely plausible explanation. He didn’t dispute the reason given in the Bible, didn’t prove it erroneous or entertain it in any way whatsoever; he didn’t mention it. You see, this particular critic was an historian seeking real historical reasons for the divided kingdom of Israel; he wasn’t even interested in the fanciful interpretations of ancient Israelite writers.

Friedrich Nietzsche was an altogether different matter. Descended from Lutheran Pastors, he knew too well that the mere existence of the Old Testament spoke too profoundly of the existence of God. It must be engaged, debated and unmasked, as Nietzsche would have it. For why would any people write, cherish and preserve documents that portrayed them in such a bad light, if they were not in some sense persuaded it was God who had judged them so and caused them to write it that way?

Nietzsche’s solution—that lying priests and prophets falsified Israel’s true history with a post hoc theology—is predicated on a profound faith. It is not faith in Christ or faith in God, but faith in the nonexistence of God. Whether the historical critic I mentioned shared Nietzsche’s faith or not, Nietzsche’s philosophical writings had become an unquestioned part of the intellectual underpinning of the in-the-box kind of thinking that encouraged him to ignore the Bible completely.

I considered then, if Nietzsche and the historical critic were wrong (that is, if God was in fact interfering in Israel’s history), then the in-the-box historical analysis practiced by contemporary historians precludes them from ever grasping the truth of the actual history of Israel. On the other hand, if the Bible is nothing more than cleverly-devised fables, I was primed to appreciate just how cleverly-devised those fables actually are.

Solomon presided over a golden age in Israel according to the Bible. The population grew but the people were well fed and happy.¹ Solomon was the ultimate realization of Israel’s hope for a king. While Saul’s and David’s reigns were marred by warfare both internal and external, Solomon was at peace with all his neighbors.² All the people of Judah and Israel had security, the text recounts poetically, everyone from Dan to Beer Sheba enjoyed the produce of their vines and fig trees throughout Solomon’s lifetime.³ No marauders came to steal the fruit of Israel’s labor. On the contrary much of the wealth of Solomon’s kingdom came from tribute paid by vassal states.⁴ The temple,⁵ at very least a symbolic triumph and vindication of Israel’s faith in God, was constructed and dedicated during Solomon’s reign.⁶ Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt.⁷ People from all nations came to hear Solomon’s display of wisdom.⁸

It’s not so surprising that I missed the significance of Solomon’s wealth at first. It reads like more of the same, further gilding the lily of Solomon’s golden age. There is no hint of indictment until the mention of Solomon’s many wives, as if the author were still reticent to speak ill of the dead king or his glorious reign. And this is the king who divided the kingdom by his inept rule?

In the book of Ecclesiastes we get a slightly different view of Solomon, the dark side of wisdom, as it were. He was wise enough to question the meaning of life. I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge. So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind! For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache [See Addendum below].⁹

His restless mind conceived massive construction projects and led him on a path of acquisitiveness few of us can follow (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 NET).

I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself. I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees. I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock—both herds and flocks—than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem. I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, as well as what gives man sensual delight—a harem of beautiful concubines [See Addendum below]. So I was more wealthy than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity: I did not hold myself back from getting whatever I wanted, I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy, this was my reward for all my effort. Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless—like chasing the wind!”

If I stop there (and I probably did at some point) the evidence seems to favor the complaint the Israelites lodged with Solomon’s son Rehoboam, Your father made us work too hard. Now if you lighten the demands he made and don’t make us work as hard, we will serve you.¹⁰ But as I studied more I began to question whether the rebels’ stated reason for rebellion was their real reason.

Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted,¹¹ the ninth chapter of 1 Kings proclaims. There were non-Israelite peoples…left in the land [Table]… Solomon conscripted them for his work crews [Table]… Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces [Table],¹² during an unprecedented time of peace. The work crews Solomon sent to the forests of Lebanon may have been Israelites. One month on and two months off may not be the best work schedule imaginable,¹³ but is it burdensome enough to risk a violent revolution?

The more I considered these things in the simple terms of material cause and effect—Solomon worked the people too hard, so they rebelled against him—the less I was convinced. Yes, kings are a burden on the people; that was God’s point, after all. But this particular king didn’t seem harsh enough to cause a rebellion. I began to wonder, if God wanted to punish Solomon for sin by dividing his kingdom in his son’s reign, how would He do it? How could He get people to rebel against this king?

Addendum: August 28, 2021
The following differences between the Masoretic text and Septuagint deserve to be highlighted:

Masoretic Text		Septuagint
Ecclesiastes 1:17, 18 (Tanakh/KJV)	Ecclesiastes 1:17, 18 (NET)	Ecclesiastes 1:17, 18 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 1:17, 18 (English Elpenor)
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness (הֹֽלֵל֖וֹת) and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.	So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas (hôlēlâ, הוללות); however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind.	And I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge; derangements (παραβολὰς) and understanding. I understood, that, indeed, this is preference of spirit.	And my heart knew much– wisdom, and knowledge, parables (παραβολὰς) and understanding: I perceived that this also is waywardness of spirit.
For in much wisdom is much grief (כָּ֑עַס): and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.	For with great wisdom comes great frustration (kaʿas, כעס); whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.	For in a great quantity of wisdom is a great quantity of knowledge (γνώσεως), and those who increase knowledge will increase suffering.	For in the abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge (γνώσεως); and he that increases knowledge will increase sorrow.

The only other occurrence of παραβολὰς (a form of παραβολή) in the Septuagint was 3 Kings (Reigns) 5:12 (1 Kings 4:32 in the Masoretic text), And Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs (παραβολὰς), and his songs were five thousand (English Elpenor). The first occurrence of γνώσεως (a form of γνῶσις) in the Septuagint was Proverbs 13:16, Every prudent man acts with knowledge (γνώσεως): but the fool displays his own mischief (English Elpenor). This will take much more study than I’ll do here and now.

There are enough differences to warrant the table below. The NET has a long explanation in a translator’s note (37tn). [T]he delight of the sons of men, in the English translation of the Tanakh on chabad.org is wagons and coaches.

Masoretic Text		Septuagint
Ecclesiastes 2:8 (Tanakh/KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (NET)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (English Elpenor)
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.	I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight—a harem of beautiful concubines.	I gathered for myself, indeed, silver and gold and valued possessions of kings and of the territories; I got male singers and female singers and the delights of human beings, a cupbearer and pitchers.	Moreover I collected for myself both silver and gold also, and the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces: I procured me singing men and singing women, and delights of the sons of men, a butler and female cupbearers.

Tables comparing 1 Kings 4:20; 4:24; 4:25; 4:30; 4:34; Ecclesiastes 1:16; 1:17; 1:18; 2:4; 2:5; 2:6; 2:7; 2:8; 2:9; 2:10 and 2:11 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of 1 Kings (3 Reigns, 3 Kings) 4:20 (2:46a[b]); 4:24 (5:4); 4:25 (2:46g[b], 2:46 η[b]); 4:30 (5:10); 4:34; Ecclesiastes 1:16; 1:17; 1:18; 2:4; 2:5; 2:6; 2:7; 2:8; 2:9; 2:10 and 2:11 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

1 Kings 4:20 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 4:20 (KJV)	1 Kings 4:20 (NET)
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.	Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.	The people of Judah and Israel were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore; they had plenty to eat and drink and were happy.

1 Kings 4:20 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 4:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
n/a	Καὶ ᾿Ιούδα καὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ πολλοὶ ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης εἰς πλῆθος ἔσθοντες καὶ πίνοντες καὶ εὐφραινόμενοι
3 Reigns 2:46a[b] (NETS)	3 Kings 4:20 (English Elpenor)
and Ioudas and Israel were very many as the sand which is by the sea in great number, eating and drinking and being happy,	Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

1 Kings 4:24 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 4:24 (KJV)	1 Kings 4:24 (NET)
For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.	For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.	His royal court was so large because he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River from Tiphsah to Gaza; he was at peace with all his neighbors.

1 Kings 4:24 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 5:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὅτι ἦν ἄρχων πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ ἦν αὐτῷ εἰρήνη ἐκ πάντων τῶν μερῶν κυκλόθεν	ὅτι ἦν ἄρχων πέραν ποταμοῦ, καὶ ἦν αὐτῷ εἰρήνη ἐκ πάντων τῶν μερῶν κυκλόθεν
3 Reigns 5:4 (NETS)	3 Kings 5:4 (English Elpenor)
For he was ruler across the river, and he was at peace on all sides round about.	For he had dominion on this side the river, and he was at peace on all sides round about.

1 Kings 4:25 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 4:25 (KJV)	1 Kings 4:25 (NET)
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.	And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.	All the people of Judah and Israel had security; everyone from Dan to Beer Sheba enjoyed the produce of their vines and fig trees throughout Solomon’s lifetime.

1 Kings 4:25 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 2:46η[b] (Septuagint Elpenor)
n/a	καὶ κατῴκει ᾿Ιούδα καὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ πεποιθότες ἕκαστος ὑπὸ τὴν ἄμπελον αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν αὐτοῦ, ἐσθίοντες καὶ πίνοντες καὶ ἑορτάζοντες ἀπὸ Δὰν καὶ ἕως Βηρσαβεὲ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Σαλωμών
3 Reigns 2:46g[b] (NETS)	3 Kings 2:46η[b] (English Elpenor)
and Ioudas and Israel lived in confidence, each under his vine and under his fig tree, eating and drinking, from Dan and as far as Bersabee, all the days of Salomon.	and Juda and Israel dwelt safely, every one under his vine and under his fig tree, eating and drinking and feasting, from Dan even to Bersabee, all the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 4:30 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 4:30 (KJV)	1 Kings 4:30 (NET)
And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.	And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.	Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt.

1 Kings 4:30 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 5:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐπληθύνθη Σαλωμων σφόδρα ὑπὲρ τὴν φρόνησιν πάντων ἀρχαίων ἀνθρώπων καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντας φρονίμους Αἰγύπτου	καὶ ἐπληθύνθη Σαλωμὼν σφόδρα ὑπὲρ τὴν φρόνησιν πάντων ἀρχαίων ἀνθρώπων καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντας φρονίμους Αἰγύπτου
3 Reigns 5:10 (NETS)	3 Kings 5:10 (English Elpenor)
and Salomon was greatly multiplied, above the discernment of all ancient people and above all the discerning of Egypt.	And Solomon abounded greatly beyond the wisdom of all the ancients, and beyond all the wise men of Egypt.

1 Kings 4:34 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 4:34 (KJV)	1 Kings 4:34 (NET)
And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.	And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.	People from all nations came to hear Solomon’s display of wisdom; they came from all the kings of the earth who heard about his wisdom.

1 Kings 4:34 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 5:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ παρεγίνοντο πάντες οἱ λαοὶ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς σοφίας Σαλωμων καὶ ἐλάμβανεν δῶρα παρὰ πάντων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς ὅσοι ἤκουον τῆς σοφίας αὐτοῦ	καὶ παρεγίνοντο πάντες οἱ λαοὶ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς σοφίας Σαλωμὼν καὶ ἐλάμβανε δῶρα παρὰ πάντων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς, ὅσοι ἤκουον τῆς σοφίας αὐτοῦ.
3 Reigns 5:14 (NETS)	3 Kings 5:14 (English Elpenor)
And all the people used to come to hear the wisdom of Salomon, and he would receive gifts from all the kings of the earth who were hearing of his wisdom.	And all the nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and [ambassadors] from all the kings of the earth, as many as heard of his wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 1:16 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 1:16 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 1:16 (NET)
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.	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.	I thought to myself, “I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

Ecclesiastes 1:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 1:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐλάλησα ἐγὼ ἐν καρδίᾳ μου τῷ λέγειν ἐγὼ ἰδοὺ ἐμεγαλύνθην καὶ προσέθηκα σοφίαν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἳ ἐγένοντο ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ καρδία μου εἶδεν πολλά σοφίαν καὶ γνῶσιν	ἐλάλησα ἐγὼ ἐν καρδίᾳ μου τῷ λέγειν· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμεγαλύνθην καὶ προσέθηκα σοφίαν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἳ ἐγένοντο ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ ἔδωκα καρδίαν μου τοῦ γνῶναι σοφίαν καὶ γνῶσιν
Ecclesiastes 1:16 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 1:16 (English Elpenor)
I spoke in my heart by saying, “As for me, see, I have become great and have added wisdom to all who were before me in Ierousalem, and my heart saw many things regarding wisdom and knowledge.”	I spoke in my heart, saying, Behold, I am increased, and have acquired wisdom beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem: also I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 1:17 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 1:17 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 1:17 (NET)
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.	And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.	So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:17 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 1:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔδωκα καρδίαν μου τοῦ γνῶναι σοφίαν καὶ γνῶσιν παραβολὰς καὶ ἐπιστήμην ἔγνων ὅτι καί γε τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν προαίρεσις πνεύματος	καὶ καρδία μου εἶδε πολλά, σοφίαν καὶ γνῶσιν, παραβολὰς καὶ ἐπιστήμην ἔγνων ἐγώ, ὅτι καί γε τοῦτό ἐστι προαίρεσις πνεύματος
Ecclesiastes 1:17 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 1:17 (English Elpenor)
And I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge; derangements and understanding. I understood, that, indeed, this is preference of spirit.	And my heart knew much– wisdom, and knowledge, parables and understanding: I perceived that this also is waywardness of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 1:18 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NET)
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.	For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.	For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 1:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὅτι ἐν πλήθει σοφίας πλῆθος γνώσεως καὶ ὁ προστιθεὶς γνῶσιν προσθήσει ἄλγημα	ὅτι ἐν πλήθει σοφίας πλῆθος γνώσεως, καὶ ὁ προστιθεὶς γνῶσιν προσθήσει ἄλγημα
Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 1:18 (English Elpenor)
For in a great quantity of wisdom is a great quantity of knowledge, and those who increase knowledge will increase suffering.	For in the abundance of wisdom is abundance of knowledge; and he that increases knowledge will increase sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 2:4 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:4 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:4 (NET)
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:	I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:	I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

Ecclesiastes 2:4 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐμεγάλυνα ποίημά μου ᾠκοδόμησά μοι οἴκους ἐφύτευσά μοι ἀμπελῶνας	ἐμεγάλυνα ποίημά μου, ᾠκοδόμησά μοι οἴκους. ἐφύτευσά μοι ἀμπελῶνας
Ecclesiastes 2:4 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:4 (English Elpenor)
I made my work great; I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.	I enlarged my work; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards.

Ecclesiastes 2:5 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:5 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:5 (NET)
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:	I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:	I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

Ecclesiastes 2:5 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐποίησά μοι κήπους καὶ παραδείσους καὶ ἐφύτευσα ἐν αὐτοῗς ξύλον πᾶν καρποῦ	ἐποίησά μοι κήπους καὶ παραδείσους καὶ ἐφύτευσα ἐν αὐτοῖς ξύλον πᾶν καρποῦ
Ecclesiastes 2:5 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:5 (English Elpenor)
I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted in them every fruit tree.	I made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit-tree.

Ecclesiastes 2:6 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:6 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:6 (NET)
I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:	I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:	I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.

Ecclesiastes 2:6 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐποίησά μοι κολυμβήθρας ὑδάτων τοῦ ποτίσαι ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν δρυμὸν βλαστῶντα ξύλα	ἐποίησά μοι κολυμβήθρας ὑδάτων τοῦ ποτίσαι ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν δρυμὸν βλαστῶντα ξύλα
Ecclesiastes 2:6 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:6 (English Elpenor)
I made myself pools of water to water from them a grove sprouting trees.	I made me pools of water, to water from them the timber-bearing wood.

Ecclesiastes 2:7 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:7 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:7 (NET)
I 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:	I 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:	I purchased male and female slaves, and I owned slaves who were born in my house; I also possessed more livestock—both herds and flocks—than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 2:7 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐκτησάμην δούλους καὶ παιδίσκας καὶ οἰκογενεῗς ἐγένοντό μοι καί γε κτῆσις βουκολίου καὶ ποιμνίου πολλὴ ἐγένετό μοι ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς γενομένους ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐν Ιερουσαλημ	ἐκτησάμην δούλους καὶ παιδίσκας, καὶ οἰκογενεῖς ἐγένοντό μοι, καί γε κτῆσις βουκολίου καὶ ποιμνίου πολλὴ ἐγένετό μοι ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς γενομένους ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ
Ecclesiastes 2:7 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:7 (English Elpenor)
I acquired male and female slaves, and I had homebred; indeed, I had great possessions of herds and flocks, more than all who had been before me in Ierousalem.	I got servants and maidens, and servants were born to me in the house: also I had abundant possession of flocks and herds, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (NET)
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.	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.	I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight—a harem of beautiful concubines.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
συνήγαγόν μοι καί γε ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ περιουσιασμοὺς βασιλέων καὶ τῶν χωρῶν ἐποίησά μοι ᾄδοντας καὶ ᾀδούσας καὶ ἐντρυφήματα υἱῶν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οἰνοχόον καὶ οἰνοχόας	συνήγαγόν μοι καί γε ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ περιουσιασμοὺς βασιλέων καὶ τῶν χωρῶν· ἐποίησά μοι ᾄδοντας καὶ ἆδούσας καὶ ἐντρυφήματα υἱῶν ἀνθρώπων, οἰνοχόον καὶ οἰνοχόας
Ecclesiastes 2:8 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:8 (English Elpenor)
I gathered for myself, indeed, silver and gold and valued possessions of kings and of the territories; I got male singers and female singers and the delights of human beings, a cupbearer and pitchers.	Moreover I collected for myself both silver and gold also, and the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces: I procured me singing men and singing women, and delights of the sons of men, a butler and female cupbearers.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:9 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:9 (NET)
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.	So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.	So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity.

Ecclesiastes 2:9 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθην καὶ προσέθηκα παρὰ πάντας τοὺς γενομένους ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καί γε σοφία μου ἐστάθη μοι	καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθην καὶ προσέθηκα παρὰ πάντας τοὺς γενομένους ἔμπροσθέν μου ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ· καί γε σοφία μου ἐστάθη μοι
Ecclesiastes 2:9 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:9 (English Elpenor)
And I became great and increased more than all who were before me in Ierousalem; indeed, my wisdom stood firm for me.	So I became great, and advanced beyond all that were before in Jerusalem: also my wisdom was established to me.

Ecclesiastes 2:10 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:10 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:10 (NET)
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.	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.	I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.

Ecclesiastes 2:10 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ πᾶν ὃ ᾔτησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου οὐχ ὑφεῗλον ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν οὐκ ἀπεκώλυσα τὴν καρδίαν μου ἀπὸ πάσης εὐφροσύνης ὅτι καρδία μου εὐφράνθη ἐν παντὶ μόχθῳ μου καὶ τοῦτο ἐγένετο μερίς μου ἀπὸ παντὸς μόχθου μου	καὶ πᾶν, ὃ ᾔτησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου, οὐκ ἀφεῖλον ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἀπεκώλυσα τὴν καρδίαν μου ἀπὸ πάσης εὐφροσύνης, ὅτι καρδία μου εὐφράνθη ἐν παντὶ μόχθῳ μου, καὶ τοῦτο ἐγένετο μερίς μου ἀπὸ παντὸς μόχθου
Ecclesiastes 2:10 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:10 (English Elpenor)
Anything for which my eyes begged, I did not take away from them; I did not hinder my heart from any enjoyment, because my heart rejoiced in all my toil and this was my portion from all my toil.	And whatever mine eyes desired, I withheld not from them, I withheld not my heart from all my mirth: for my heart rejoiced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 (Tanakh)	Ecclesiastes 2:11 (KJV)	Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NET)
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.	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.	Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless—like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

Ecclesiastes 2:11 (Septuagint BLB)	Ecclesiastes 2:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐπέβλεψα ἐγὼ ἐν πᾶσιν ποιήμασίν μου οἷς ἐποίησαν αἱ χεῗρές μου καὶ ἐν μόχθῳ ᾧ ἐμόχθησα τοῦ ποιεῗν καὶ ἰδοὺ τὰ πάντα ματαιότης καὶ προαίρεσις πνεύματος καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν περισσεία ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον	καὶ ἐπέβλεψα ἐγὼ ἐν πᾶσι ποιήμασί μου, οἷς ἐποίησαν αἱ χεῖρές μου, καὶ ἐν μόχθῳ, ᾧ ἐμόχθησα τοῦ ποιεῖν, καὶ ἰδοὺ τὰ πάντα ματαιότης καὶ προαίρεσις πνεύματος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι περισσεία ὑπὸ τὸν ἥλιον
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NETS)	Ecclesiastes 2:11 (English Elpenor)
And I looked at all my works that my hands had done and at the toil wherein I toiled to do it and see, all were vanity and preference of spirit, and there is no surplus under the sun.	And I looked on all my works which my hands had wrought, and on my labour which I laboured to perform: and behold, all was vanity and waywardness of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun.