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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 2:7 I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/21_Ecc_02_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 2:7 - The Futility of Pleasure" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-6.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:6">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 2:7 <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I got <i>me</i> 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves, and I had slaves <i>born</i> at home. I also possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves, and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves, and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves and had slaves born in my house. I also possessed herds and flocks larger than any who preceded me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned livestock—large herds and flocks—more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I owned slaves, and their sons and daughters became my slaves. I had more sheep and goats than anyone who had ever lived in Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I bought menservants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves. In addition, slaves were born in my household. I owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I bought many slaves, and there were slaves born in my household. I owned more livestock than anyone else who had ever lived in Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I acquired male and female slaves, and had other slaves born in my house. I also acquired for myself increasing numbers of herds and flocks—more than anyone who had lived before me in Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I procured 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I acquired menservants, and maidservants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance—herd and flock—above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance -- herd and flock -- above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I obtained servants and maids, and sons of the house were to me; also obtaining cattle, and many sheep were to me more than all that were before me in Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I got me menservants, and maidservants, and had a great family: and herds of oxen, and great flocks of sheep, above all that were before me in Jerusalem: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I obtained men and women servants, and I had a great family, as well as herds of cattle and great flocks of sheep, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I acquired male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned vast herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house; I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I got for myself menservants and maidservants, and had a great household; also I had great possessions of cattle and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I got for myself male Servants and female Servants and I had a multitude of children of houses, and also I had more property of bulls and of sheep than all who were before me in Jerusalem<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I acquired men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=215" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">The Futility of Pleasure</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7069.htm" title="7069: qā·nî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to erect, i.e. Create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase; by implication to own.">I acquired</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">menservants</a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: ū·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ (Conj-w:: N-fp) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">and maidservants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê- (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">and servants were born</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇa·yiṯ (N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in my house.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">I also</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">owned</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">more</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: ḇā·qār (N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">herds</a> <a href="/hebrew/4735.htm" title="4735: miq·neh (N-ms) -- Cattle. From qanah; something bought, i.e. Property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: wā·ṣōn (Conj-w:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">and flocks</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kōl (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">than anyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: še·hā·yū (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: bî·rū·šā·lim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">in Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nay (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before me,</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-16.htm">Genesis 12:16</a></span><br />He treated Abram well on her account, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-35.htm">Genesis 24:35</a></span><br />“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-14.htm">Genesis 26:14</a></span><br />He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-43.htm">Genesis 30:43</a></span><br />Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-5.htm">1 Kings 10:5-6</a></span><br />the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. / She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-4.htm">2 Chronicles 9:4</a></span><br />the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/1-3.htm">Job 1:3</a></span><br />and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/42-12.htm">Job 42:12</a></span><br />So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-12.htm">Psalm 144:12-15</a></span><br />Then our sons will be like plants nurtured in their youth, our daughters like corner pillars carved to adorn a palace. / Our storehouses will be full, supplying all manner of produce; our flocks will bring forth thousands, tens of thousands in our fields. / Our oxen will bear great loads. There will be no breach in the walls, no going into captivity, and no cry of lament in our streets. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Proverbs 14:4</a></span><br />Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">Isaiah 56:3-5</a></span><br />Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-3</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts. / But You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You. Drag away the wicked like sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of carnage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-9.htm">Matthew 8:9</a></span><br />For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a></span><br />For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Luke 12:45-46</a></span><br />But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. / The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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:</p><p class="hdg">servants</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/9-20.htm">1 Kings 9:20-22</a></b></br> <i>And</i> all the people <i>that were</i> left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which <i>were</i> not of the children of Israel, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/2-58.htm">Ezra 2:58</a></b></br> All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, <i>were</i> three hundred ninety and two.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/7-57.htm">Nehemiah 7:57</a></b></br> The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,</p><p class="hdg">and</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Genesis 17:12,13</a></b></br> And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which <i>is</i> not of thy seed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-2.htm">Genesis 13:2</a></b></br> And Abram <i>was</i> very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">2 Kings 3:4</a></b></br> And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/27-29.htm">1 Chronicles 27:29-31</a></b></br> And over the herds that fed in Sharon <i>was</i> Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds <i>that were</i> in the valleys <i>was</i> Shaphat the son of Adlai: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Acquired</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Born</a> <a href="/job/28-19.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/psalms/148-10.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-29.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/psalms/68-12.htm">Female</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/exodus/12-49.htm">Homeborn</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-21.htm">House</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">Larger</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-15.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-67.htm">Maid-Servants</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-31.htm">Male</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/14-15.htm">Owned</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Possessed</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-27.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-28.htm">Procured</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-12.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/psalms/123-2.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Small</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-3.htm">Women-Servants</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Acquired</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-2.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-2.htm">Born</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-24.htm">Bought</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-17.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-4.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Female</a> <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-9.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-7.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-14.htm">Homeborn</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-9.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/daniel/11-13.htm">Larger</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Maidens</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-11.htm">Maid-Servants</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Male</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/39-10.htm">Owned</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Possessed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Possessions</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm">Procured</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-7.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Small</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-2.htm">Women-Servants</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>I acquired</b><br />The Hebrew root for "acquired" is "קָנָה" (qanah), which means to purchase or possess. This term reflects the active pursuit and accumulation of wealth and resources. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it underscores the Preacher's (traditionally understood as Solomon) deliberate efforts to amass material wealth and status, highlighting the human tendency to seek fulfillment through possessions.<p><b>male and female servants</b><br />The mention of "male and female servants" indicates a structured household with a significant workforce. In ancient Israel, servants were often part of a household's wealth and status. This phrase reflects the societal norms of the time, where owning servants was a sign of prosperity and power. It also points to the hierarchical nature of ancient societies, where social status was often measured by the number of servants one possessed.<p><b>and I had other slaves who were born in my house</b><br />The phrase "born in my house" suggests a generational aspect to servitude, where slaves were not only acquired but also born into the household. This indicates a stable and enduring wealth, as the household was self-sustaining in its labor force. It also reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient households, where the head of the house had absolute authority over those born within it.<p><b>I also owned more herds and flocks</b><br />Herds and flocks were primary indicators of wealth in ancient agrarian societies. The ownership of "more herds and flocks" signifies not just wealth, but also the ability to sustain and grow that wealth through agriculture and animal husbandry. This phrase highlights the Preacher's extensive resources and his ability to surpass others in material accumulation.<p><b>than anyone in Jerusalem before me</b><br />This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the Preacher's wealth and achievements. Jerusalem, as the center of Israelite life and worship, serves as a benchmark for comparison. By stating that his wealth exceeded that of anyone before him, the Preacher underscores the futility of seeking satisfaction in material abundance, as even the greatest accumulation does not lead to lasting fulfillment.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">Got me</span>.--The servants acquired by purchase are distinguished from those born in the house. (Concerning the number of Solomon's servants, see <a href="/1_kings/4-27.htm" title="And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.">1Kings 4:27</a>; <a href="/1_kings/10-5.htm" title="And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.">1Kings 10:5</a>; and of his cattle, <a href="/1_kings/4-23.htm" title="Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl.">1Kings 4:23</a>, <a href="/1_kings/8-63.htm" title="And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.">1Kings 8:63</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I got me</span> - I bought, procured - <span class="cmt_word">servants and maidens</span>. These are distinct from those mentioned immediately afterwards, <span class="cmt_word">servants born in my house</span>; Septuagint, <span class="greek">οἰκογενεῖς</span>: called in the Hebrew, "sons of the house" (<a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3</a>). They were much more esteemed by their masters, and showed a much closer attachment to the family than the bought slaves or the conquered aboriginals, who were often reduced to this state (<a href="/1_kings/9-20.htm">1 Kings 9:20, 21</a>). The number of Solomon's attendants excited the wonder of the Queen of Sheba (<a href="/1_kings/4-26.htm">1 Kings 4:26</a>, etc.; 1 Kings 10:5), and with good reason, if Josephus's account is to be believed. This writer asserts that the king had some thousand or more chariots, and twenty thousand horses. The drivers and riders were young men of comely aspect, tall and well-made; they had long flowing hair, and wore tunics of Tyrian purple, and powdered their hair with gold dust, which glittered in the rays of the sun ('Ant.,' 8:07. 3). Attended by a cavalcade thus arrayed, Solomon used to betake himself to his "paradise" at Etham, to enjoy the refreshing coolness of its trees and pools. <span class="cmt_word">Great and small cattle</span>; <span class="accented">oxen and sheep</span>. The enormous amount of Solomon's herds and flocks is proved by the extraordinary multitude of the sacrifices at the consecration of the temple (<a href="/1_kings/8-63.htm">1 Kings 8:63</a>), and the lavish provision made daily for the wants of his table (<a href="/1_kings/4-22.htm">1 Kings 4:22, 23</a>). The cattle of David were very numerous, and required special overlookers (<a href="/1_chronicles/27-29.htm">1 Chronicles 27:29-31</a>). Job (<a href="/job/1-3.htm">Job 1:3</a>) had, before his troubles, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and these items were all doubled at the return of his prosperity. Among Solomon's possessions, horses are not here mentioned, though they formed no inconsiderable portion of his live stock, and added greatly to his magnificence. Koheleth, perhaps, avoided boasting of this extravagance in consideration of the religious sentiment which was strongly opposed to such a feature. <span class="cmt_word">That were in Jerusalem before me</span> (so ver. 9; see <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:16</a>). But the reference here may not necessarily be to kings, but to chieftains and rich men, who were celebrated for the extent of their possessions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I acquired</span><br /><span class="heb">קָנִ֙יתִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(qā·nî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7069.htm">Strong's 7069: </a> </span><span class="str2">To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own</span><br /><br /><span class="word">menservants</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and maidservants,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁפָח֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Maid, maidservant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and servants were born</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my house.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַ֖יִת</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I also</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(gam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">owned</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֣יָה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more</span><br /><span class="heb">הַרְבֵּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(har·bêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">herds</span><br /><span class="heb">בָקָ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beef cattle, ox, a herd</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and flocks</span><br /><span class="heb">וָצֹ֤אן</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than anyone</span><br /><span class="heb">מִכֹּ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(mik·kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bî·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before me,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:7 I bought male servants and female servants (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>