Ecclesiastes 8:1

Ecclesiastes 8:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
• New International Version (NIV)Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed.

Context of Ecclesiastes 8:1

Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed. 2Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God. 3Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 word by word

מִ֚י כְּהֶ֣חָכָ֔ם וּמִ֥י יוֹדֵ֖עַ פֵּ֣שֶׁר דָּבָ֑ר חָכְמַ֤ת אָדָם֙ תָּאִ֣יר פָּנָ֔יו וְעֹ֥ז פָּנָ֖יו יְשֻׁנֶּֽא׃Read the interlinear

• Whoמִיmîy · who?H4310
• is like the wise manחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• knowsיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• the interpretationפֵּ֫שֶׁרpêsher · interpretationH6592
• of a matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• A man’sאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• brightensאוֹר'ôr · to lightH215
• his faceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• and the sternnessעֹז‛ôz ‛ôz · strengthH5797
• is changedשָׁנָאshânâ' · to changeH8132

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 8:1

• Ecclesiastes 2:13And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:
• 1 Corinthians 2:13And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
• Genesis 40:8“We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
• Genesis 41:15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
• Job 33:23Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
• Proverbs 1:6by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
• Daniel 2:28But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:
• Daniel 4:18This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
• 2 Peter 1:20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.
• Exodus 34:29And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD.
• Proverbs 4:8Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
• Proverbs 17:24Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
• Proverbs 24:5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
• Matthew 17:2There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
• Acts 6:15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
• Deuteronomy 28:50a ruthless nation with no respect for the old and no pity for the young.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Who knoweth the interpretation - פשר pesher, a pure Chaldee word, found nowhere else in the Bible but in the Chaldee parts of Daniel. "A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine." Every state of the heart shines through the countenance; but there is such an evidence of the contented, happy, pure, benevolent state of the soul in the face of a truly pious man, that it must be observed, and cannot be mistaken. In the Hebrew the former clause of this verse ends…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1And who - Rather, and as he who knoweth. The possessor of wisdom excels other people: it imparts serenity to his countenance, and removes the expression of gloom or fierceness (see the marginal reference).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Commendations of wisdom. (Eccl. 8:1-5) To prepare for sudden evils and death. (Eccl. 8:6-8) It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked. (Eccl. 8:9-13) Mysteries of Providence. (Eccl. 8:14-17) Verses 1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1the sternness of his face is changed: Anxiety, anger, sorrow, and frustration can make a face look stern, but enjoying life and gaining wisdom will brighten it.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-17Ec 8:1-17. 1. Praise of true wisdom continued (Ec 7:11, &c.). "Who" is to be accounted "equal to the wise man? ... Who (like him) knoweth the interpretation" of God's providences (for example, Ec 7:8, 13, 14), and God's word (for example, see on Ec 7:29; Pr 1:6)? face to shine--(Ec 7:14; Ac 6:15). A sunny countenance, the reflection of a tranquil conscience and serene mind. Communion with God gives it (Ex 34:29, 30). boldness--austerity. changed--into a…Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 8:1

• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Wise, Man
• Discern
• Discharge
• Feel
• Hasty
• Heart
• Set
• Hard; Hardiness; Harddiness; Hardly
• Harden
• Synagogue, the Great

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