New International Version
Ecclesiastes 8:2
2Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would.
Context of Ecclesiastes 8:2
1Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance. Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 3Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4Since a king’s word is supreme, who 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 and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,
- Romans 13:1Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
- 1 Peter 2:13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,
- 1 Kings 2:43Why then did you not keep your oath to the Lord and obey the command I gave you?”
- 1 Chronicles 29:24All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon.
- Ezekiel 17:13Then he took a member of the royal family and made a treaty with him, putting him under oath. He also carried away the leading men of the land,
- Romans 13:5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of 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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