Amplified Bible
Ecclesiastes 8:2
2I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
Ecclesiastes 8:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
- New International Version (NIV)Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God.
Context of Ecclesiastes 8:2
1Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines his face, And causes his stern face to beam. I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him]. 3Do not be in a hurry to get out of his presence. Do not join in a malevolent matter, for the king will do whatever he pleases. 4For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful, And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
Read all of Ecclesiastes 8Ecclesiastes 8:2 word by word
אֲנִי֙ פִּי־מֶ֣לֶךְ שְׁמ֔וֹר וְעַ֕ל דִּבְרַ֖ת שְׁבוּעַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 8:2
- Proverbs 24:21My son, fear the Lord and the king; And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
- Romans 13:1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
- 1 Peter 2:13Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power,
- 1 Kings 2:43Why then have you not kept the oath of the Lord, and the command which I gave you?”
- 1 Chronicles 29:24All of the leaders and warriors, and also all the sons of King David, pledged allegiance to King Solomon.
- Ezekiel 17:13And he took a member of the royal family [the king’s uncle, Zedekiah] and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. He also took the important leaders of the land,
- Romans 13:5Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God].
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2To keep the king's commandment - This sentence would be better translated, I keep the mouth of the king; I take good heed not to meddle with state secrets; and if I know, to hide them. Or, I am obedient to the commands of the laws; I feel myself bound by whatever the king has decreed. In regard of the oath of God - You have sworn obedience to him; keep your oath, for the engagement was made in the presence of God. It appears that the Jewish princes and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Oath - A reference to the oath of allegiance taken to Solomon at his accession to the throne (the margin of 1 Chronicles 29:24).Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2because of your oath before God: Compare Ecclesiastes 5:2–6; 1 Kings 2:41–43.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. the king's--Jehovah, peculiarly the king of Israel in the theocracy; Ec 8:3, 4, prove it is not the earthly king who is meant. the oath of God--the covenant which God made with Abraham and renewed with David; Solomon remembered Psa 89:35, "I have sworn," &c. (Psa 89:36), and the penalties if David's children should forsake it (Psa 89:30-32); inflicted on Solomon himself; yet God not "utterly" forsaking him (Psa 89:33, 34).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 8:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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