Ecclesiastes 8:4
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Ecclesiastes 8:4 in other translations
| BSB | For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” |
|---|---|
| WEB | for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?” |
| ASV | For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? |
| YLT | Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, ‘What dost thou?' |
| DARBY | because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? |
| BBE | The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing? |
| Webster | Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, what doest thou? |
What does Ecclesiastes 8:4 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:1-5
Commendations 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…
Ecclesiastes 8:4 in the original Hebrew
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Ecclesiastes 8:4
- Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- Job 9:12
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
- Proverbs 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
- Daniel 4:35
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
- Romans 9:20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
- Proverbs 19:12
The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
- Job 34:18-19
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
- 1 Kings 2:25
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
- Daniel 3:15
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
- 1 Kings 2:29-34
And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him. And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the Lord, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me. And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father. And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah. …
- Job 33:12-13
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
- Proverbs 30:31
A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Ecclesiastes 8:3
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
- Ecclesiastes 8:4
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
- Ecclesiastes 8:5
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Ecclesiastes 8:4 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Pues la palabra del rey es con potestad, ¿y quién le dirá, Qué haces? |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | parce que la parole du roi est une puissance, et qui lui dira: Que fais-tu? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | weil des Königs Wort eine Macht ist, und wer will zu ihm sagen: Was tust du? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Et sermo illius potestate plenus est, nec dicere ei quisquam potest: Quare ita facis? |