Berean Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 8:4
4For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
Ecclesiastes 8:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
- New International Version (NIV)Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”
Context of Ecclesiastes 8:4
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. For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” 5Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. 6For there is a right time and procedure to every purpose, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 8Ecclesiastes 8:4 word by word
בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דְּבַר־מֶ֖לֶךְ שִׁלְט֑וֹן וּמִ֥י יֹֽאמַר־ל֖וֹ מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 8:4
- 1 Kings 2:25So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.
- Proverbs 19:12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Proverbs 20:2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
- Proverbs 30:31a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.
- Daniel 3:15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”
- Luke 12:4I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Romans 13:1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
- Job 33:12Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
- Job 34:18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
- Romans 9:20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8:4
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4It is pointless to plot against the king because he has great power and can do anything he wants.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. God's very "word" is "power." So the gospel word (Ro 1:16; He 4:12). who may say, &c.--(Job 9:12; 33:13; Is 45:9; Da 4:35). Scripture does not ascribe such arbitrary power to earthly kings.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 8:4
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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