KJV King James Version
Where the word of a king [is, there is] power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Ecclesiastes 8:4
Where the word of a king [is, there is] power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
WEB World English Bible
for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
ASV American Standard Version
For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, ‘What dost thou?’
Surrounding context — Ecclesiastes 8
1 Who [is] as the wise [man]? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
2 I [counsel thee] to keep the king’s commandment, and [that] in regard of the oath of God.
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4 Where the word of a king [is, there is] power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him.
7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
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Cross-references
Romans 13:1-4Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.Job 9:12Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?Daniel 4:35And 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?Proverbs 20:2The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul.Job 34:18-19[Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?Romans 9:20Nay 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 19:12The king’s wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.Luke 12:4-5And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.1 Kings 2:46So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.Job 33:12-13Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.Proverbs 30:31A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up.Daniel 3:15Now 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 2:29-34And 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.1 Kings 2:25And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
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