Ecclesiastes 2:8
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While Solomon lists riches and entertainers, the phrase "delights of the sons of men" likely refers to his vast harem of concubines. This subtle phrasing suggests that even the most intimate and sensual pleasures were just another possession he amassed, ultimately proving hollow.
Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure and meaning, chronicles the lavish and extensive provisions he made for his enjoyment. After exploring building and creating, he now details his acquisition of immense wealth, exotic treasures, and a vast entourage of entertainers and companions. This accumulation of earthly delights, including singers and possibly many concubines, represents the zenith of his worldly possessions and sensory indulgences before he ultimately reflects on their emptiness.
Solomon wasn't just rich; he was in a league of his own. What did 'royal treasure' really look like?
Verse 8 paints a picture of Solomon amassing riches far beyond ordinary means.
Beyond Ordinary Riches
He gathered "silver and gold," which were the basics of great wealth. But he also acquired "the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces." This suggests wealth that only rulers could possess – perhaps rare jewels, unique artifacts, and items acquired through tribute and international trade.
A Global Economy
The mention of "provinces" indicates that Solomon's wealth came not just from his own land but from a vast network of tribute and trade agreements with other kingdoms and regions. This wasn't just personal savings; it was the accumulation of power and influence through economic might.
Beyond riches, Solomon sought pleasure in music and human companionship. What was the ultimate aim of these pursuits?
Solomon lists not just material wealth but also the finest forms of entertainment and luxury. This highlights a broader quest for satisfaction through sensory experiences.
The Best of Entertainment
He "got singers, both men and women," indicating a lavish provision for entertainment and feasting. Music and performance were integral to his elaborate lifestyle.
The 'Delights of Sons of Man'
This phrase is complex, but commentaries suggest it refers to the ultimate human pleasures, including perhaps a vast harem and concubines (as hinted by the ambiguity of the original Hebrew). It points to the pursuit of maximum human gratification and companionship, seeking fulfillment in physical and emotional connection.
Understand the original words
keseph · Hebrew Noun
A precious metal often used to symbolize wealth, beauty, and splendor; biblically, it is frequently contrasted with the superior value of wisdom or God's word.
zahab · Hebrew Noun
A precious metal associated with royalty, divine presence, and purity; while valuable, the Bible repeatedly warns against placing one's trust in it.
segullah · Hebrew Noun
That which is valued, stored up, or considered a prize; it represents the accumulation of earthly resources which the Bible warns are vulnerable to moth, rust, and theft.
This passage directly echoes Ecclesiastes 2:8 by detailing the immense amount of gold Solomon possessed, emphasizing the tangible wealth that the Preacher was experiencing and subsequently questioning.
Song of Solomon 7:1-9While Ecclesiastes focuses on the ultimate vanity, the Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and delight found in human relationships and physical attraction, offering a contrasting perspective on 'the delights of the sons of men'.
Proverbs 14:1This proverb contrasts the wisdom of the discerning with the foolishness of the self-deceived, mirroring the Preacher's own exploration of his pursuits and his eventual realization of their futility.
Luke 12:15Jesus warns against greed and the illusion of security in possessions, a theme that resonates deeply with Solomon's exhaustive pursuit of pleasure and wealth in Ecclesiastes, only to find it empty.
clarkeEcclesiastes 2:8: "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."
The peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces - 1. The tares levied off his subjects. 2. The tribute given by the neighboring potentates. Both these make the "peculiar treasure of kings;" taxes and tribute. Men singers and women singers - This includes all…
ellicottEcclesiastes 2:8: "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."
(8) Peculiar treasure.— The word is used of the Jewish people ( Exodus 19:9 ; Psalm 135:4 ; Malachi 3:17 ; but generally 1Chronicles 29:3 ). That Solomon had tributary kings is stated ( 1Kings 4:21 ; 2Chronicles 9:24 ; Psalm 72:10 ; Ezra 4:20 ). The word used fo…
While Solomon lists riches and entertainers, the phrase "delights of the sons of men" likely refers to his vast harem of concubines. This subtle phrasing suggests that even the most intimate and sensual pleasures were just another possession he amassed, ultimately proving hollow.
Solomon, in his pursuit of pleasure and meaning, chronicles the lavish and extensive provisions he made for his enjoyment. After exploring building and creating, he now details his acquisition of immense wealth, exotic treasures, and a vast entourage of entertainers and companions. This accumulation of earthly delights, including singers and possibly many concubines, represents the zenith of his worldly possessions and sensory indulgences before he ultimately reflects on their emptiness.
"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." — While Solomon lists riches and entertainers, the phrase "delights of the sons of men" likely refers to his vast harem of concubines. This subtle phrasing suggests that even the most intimate and sens…
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