38 The vav prefixed to וְגָדַלְתִּי (végadalti, vav + Qal perfect first common singular from גָּדַל, gadal, “to be great; to increase”) functions in a final summarizing sense, that is, it introduces the concluding summary of 2:4–9.
39 Heb “I became great and I surpassed” (וְהוֹסַפְתִּי וְגָדַלְתִּי, végadalti véhosafti). This is a verbal hendiadys in which the second verb functions adverbially, modifying the first: “I became far greater.” Most translations miss the hendiadys and render the line in a woodenly literal sense (, , , , , , , , ), while only a few recognize the presence of hendiadys here: “I became greater by far” () and “I gained more” ().
40 Heb “yet my wisdom stood for me,” meaning he retained his wise perspective despite his great wealth.

In other versions

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me.

Thus, I accomplished far more than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem—indeed, my wisdom stood by me.

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

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