New Living Translation
Ecclesiastes 8:2
2Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would.
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
1How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. 3Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. 4His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.
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 child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels,
- Romans 13:1Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
- 1 Peter 2:13For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
- 1 Kings 2:43Then why haven’t you kept your oath to the Lord and obeyed my command?”
- 1 Chronicles 29:24All the officials, the warriors, and the sons of King David pledged their loyalty to King Solomon.
- Ezekiel 17:13He made a treaty with a member of the royal family and forced him to take an oath of loyalty. He also exiled Israel’s most influential leaders,
- Romans 13:5So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear 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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