New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 8:2
2Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal 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 a wise person? Who knows the solution to a problem? A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh countenance. Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him. 3Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste – do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases. 4Surely the king’s authority is absolute; no one can 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 24:21Fear the Lord, my child, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels,
- Romans 13:1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
- 1 Peter 2:13Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme
- 1 Kings 2:43Why then have you broken the oath you made before the Lord and disobeyed the order I gave you?”
- 1 Chronicles 29:24All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon.
- Ezekiel 17:13He took one from the royal family, made a treaty with him, and put him under oath. He then took the leaders of the land
- Romans 13:5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
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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