Parallel Verses
Amplified
For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful,
And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
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?
Bible in Basic English
The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing?
Darby Translation
because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
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
Do not be in a hurry to get out of his presence. Do not join in a malevolent matter, for the king will do whatever he pleases.
4
For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful,
And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
Whoever keeps and observes a royal command will experience neither trouble nor misery;
For a wise heart will know the
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
“Behold, He snatches away; who can restrain or turn Him back?
Who will say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
Daniel 4:35
“All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing.
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth;
And no one can hold back His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
1 Kings 2:25
So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he
1 Kings 2:29-34
King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the Lord and was at that moment beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go,
1 Kings 2:46
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck down Shimei, and he died.So the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.
Job 33:12-13
“Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right or just;
For God is greater and far superior to man.
Job 34:18-19
“God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’
Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’?
Proverbs 19:12
The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
Proverbs 30:31
The
And the king when his army is with him.
Daniel 3:15
Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image which I have made, very good. But if you do not worship, you shall be thrown at once into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can rescue you out of my hands?”
Luke 12:4-5
Romans 9:20
On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers [arrogantly] back to God and dares to defy Him? Will the thing which is formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”
Romans 13:1-4
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.