Ecc 1:16 | NETfull | STEP | 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

Futility of Secular Wisdom

16 I thought to myself, ^{▼▼ Heb “I spoke, I, with my heart.”}
“I have become much wiser ^{▼▼ Heb “I, look, I have made great and increased wisdom.” The expression הִגְדַּלְתִּי וְהוֹסַפְתִּי (higdalti v^ehosafti) is a verbal hendiadys; it means that Qoheleth had become the wisest man in the history of Jerusalem.} than any of my predecessors who ruled ^{▼▼ The phrase “who ruled” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.} over Jerusalem; ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.}
I ^{▼▼ Heb “my heart” (לִבִּי, libbi). The term “heart” is a metonymy of part for the whole (“my heart” = myself).} have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.” ^{▼▼ Heb “My heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.”}