Parallel Verses
Darby Translation
because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
New American Standard Bible
Since the word of the king is authoritative,
King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Holman Bible
For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
International Standard Version
Since a king's command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, "What are you doing?"
A Conservative Version
For the king's word [has] power, and who may say to him, What are thou doing?
American Standard Version
For the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Amplified
For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful,
And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
Bible in Basic English
The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing?
Julia Smith Translation
Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?
King James 2000
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing?
Lexham Expanded Bible
Since the word of the king [is] supreme, no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
Modern King James verseion
Because the word of a king is that which has power; and who may say to him, What are you doing?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him, "What doest thou?"
NET Bible
Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
New Heart English Bible
for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
The Emphasized Bible
Where the word of a king is, there is power, - who then may say to him, What wouldst thou do?
Webster
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, what doest thou?
World English Bible
for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
Youngs Literal Translation
Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'
Themes
Government » The kings of the earth
King » Obedience to, encouraged
Interlinear
Dabar
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 8:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
Obedience To The King
3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatever pleaseth him, 4 because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart knoweth time and manner.
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
Behold, he taketh away: who will hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?
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 the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
1 Kings 2:25
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; who fell on him, that he died.
1 Kings 2:29-34
And it was told king Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of Jehovah; and behold, he is by the altar. And Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall on him.
1 Kings 2:46
And the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; who went out and fell upon him, and he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
Job 33:12-13
Behold, I will answer thee in this, thou art not right; for +God is greater than man.
Job 34:18-19
Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
Proverbs 19:12
The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
Proverbs 30:31
a horse girt in the loins; or the he-goat; and a king, against whom none can rise up.
Daniel 3:15
Now if ye be ready at the time that ye hear the sound of the cornet, pipe, lute, sambuca, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast that same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Luke 12:4-5
But I say to you, my friends, Fear not those who kill the body and after this have no more that they can do.
Romans 9:20
Aye, but thou, O man, who art thou that answerest again to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that has formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.