Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?” New Living Translation His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it. English Standard Version For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” Berean Standard Bible For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” King James Bible Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? New King James Version Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?” New American Standard Bible Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?” NASB 1995 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?” NASB 1977 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?” Legacy Standard Bible Since the word of the king is powerful, who will say to him, “What are you doing?” Amplified Bible For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful, And who will say to him, “What are you doing?” Christian Standard Bible For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” American Standard Version For the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Contemporary English Version The king's word is law. No one can ask him, "Why are you doing this?" English Revised Version Because the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? GOD'S WORD® Translation Since a king's word has such power, no one can ask him what he is doing. Good News Translation The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does. International Standard Version Since a king's command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, "What are you doing?" Majority Standard Bible For the king?s word is supreme, and who can say to him, ?What are you doing?? 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?" Webster's Bible Translation 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?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhere the word of a king [is] power [is], and who says to him, “What do you do?” Young's Literal Translation Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?' Smith's Literal Translation Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so? Catholic Public Domain Version And his word is filled with authority. Neither is anyone able to say to him: “Why are you acting this way?” New American Bible His word is sovereign, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” New Revised Standard Version For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIn what manner the king speaks is lawful; and who can say to him, What are you doing? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Just as the King has spoken, he is authorized, and who will say to him: "What are you doing?" OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?' Brenton Septuagint Translation even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What doest thou? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Obey the King…3Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” 5Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.… Cross References Proverbs 16:10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” Psalm 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases. Job 9:12 If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’ Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. Romans 9:20-21 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use? Isaiah 45:9 Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. John 19:10-11 So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” / Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” Psalm 33:9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. 1 Timothy 6:15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. Revelation 19:16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Psalm 2:6-9 “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” / I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. / Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. ... Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ Luke 1:37 For no word from God will ever fail.” Treasury of Scripture Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you? the word 1 Kings 2:25,29-34,46 And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died… Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 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. what Job 33:12,13 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man… Job 34:18,19 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? … 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? Jump to Previous Authoritative Authority Forasmuch King's Power Supreme WordJump to Next Authoritative Authority Forasmuch King's Power Supreme WordEcclesiastes 8 1. true wisdom is modest2. Kings are to be respected 6. Divine providence is to be observed 12. It is better with the godly in adversity, than with the wicked in prosperity 16. The work of God is unsearchable For the king’s word is supreme In ancient Israel, the king held a position of ultimate authority, reflecting the theocratic nature of the society where the king was seen as God's appointed ruler. This phrase underscores the absolute power and authority of a monarch, which was common in the ancient Near East. The king's word was law, and his decrees were binding. This reflects the broader biblical theme of authority and submission, as seen in Romans 13:1-2, where believers are instructed to submit to governing authorities. The king's authority can also be seen as a type of Christ, the ultimate King whose word is final and supreme (Revelation 19:16). and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” Persons / Places / Events 1. The KingRepresents authority and power, often seen as a figure of ultimate earthly authority in biblical times. 2. Solomon Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was a king known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 3. Israel The nation over which Solomon reigned, providing the cultural and historical context for the book of Ecclesiastes. 4. The Court The setting where the king's word is law, reflecting the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern societies. 5. The Speaker The voice in Ecclesiastes, often referred to as "the Teacher" or "the Preacher," who reflects on the nature of life and authority. Teaching Points Respect for AuthorityRecognize the importance of respecting earthly authorities as they are established by God. This respect is not blind obedience but an acknowledgment of the order God has instituted. God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Powers Understand that while earthly rulers have significant power, they are ultimately under God's sovereign control. This should bring comfort and assurance to believers. Wisdom in Speech and Action Exercise wisdom in how we speak to and about those in authority. Questioning authority should be done with respect and discernment, recognizing the weight of their position. The Limitations of Human Authority Remember that human authority is limited and temporary. Our ultimate allegiance is to God, who is the supreme ruler over all. Living as Citizens of Heaven As Christians, we are called to live as citizens of heaven, which means respecting earthly authorities while ultimately serving God's kingdom purposes.(4) Power.--The word used here and Ecclesiastes 5:8, only occurs again in the Chaldee part of Daniel. In the latter part of the Hebrew verse is one of the many reminiscences of the work of Job (Job 9:12; see also Wisdom Of Solomon 12:12).Verse 4. - Where the word of a king is, there is power. A further confirmation of the last thought. More accurately, "Inasmuch as the word of a king is powerful" (shilton, ver. 8). This last word is used in Daniel (Daniel 3:2) for "a lord," or "ruler." The king does as he thinks fit because his mandate is all-powerful, and must be obeyed, And who may say unto him, What doest thou? The same expression is found applied to God (Job 9:12; Isaiah 45:9; Wisd. 12:12). The absolute authority of a despot is spoken of in the same terms as the irresistible power of Almighty God. Αἰκὼν δὲ βασιλεύς ἐστιν ἔμψυχος Θεοῦ. "God's living image is an earthly king." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forבַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ba·’ă·šer) Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the king’s מֶ֖לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king word דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause is supreme, שִׁלְט֑וֹן (šil·ṭō·wn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7983: Mastery and who וּמִ֥י (ū·mî) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can say יֹֽאמַר־ (yō·mar-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to him, ל֖וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew “What מַֽה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what are you doing?” תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃ (ta·‘ă·śeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make Links Ecclesiastes 8:4 NIVEcclesiastes 8:4 NLT Ecclesiastes 8:4 ESV Ecclesiastes 8:4 NASB Ecclesiastes 8:4 KJV Ecclesiastes 8:4 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 8:4 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 8:4 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 8:4 French Bible Ecclesiastes 8:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 8:4 For the king's word is supreme (Ecclesiast. 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