Lexical Summary shilton: authoritative, authority Original Word: שִׁלְטוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance power (Aramaic) from shalat; a potentate; --power. see HEBREW shalat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalat Definition mastery NASB Translation authoritative (1), authority (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁלְטוֺן noun [masculine] mastery (LagBN 199); — Ecclesiastes 8:4,8 (with בְּ). II. שׁלט (√ of following; ZehnpfBAS i. 535, No. 53 cites Assyrian šal‰u, a shield of leather). Topical Lexicon Concept of DominionShilton describes the right and capacity to exercise control. Ecclesiastes employs it in political and existential senses, displaying both the potency and the limits of human rule. The theme anticipates a broader biblical narrative in which dominion is always derivative, granted by God and accountable to Him (Psalm 72:1; Daniel 2:21). Occurrences in Ecclesiastes 1. Ecclesiastes 8:4 highlights royal prerogative: “For the king’s word has authority, and who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”. The verse underscores the practical immutability of a monarch’s decree in the ancient Near East, cautioning the reader to act with prudence in the court. 2. Ecclesiastes 8:8 contrasts that same regal sway with the realities of mortality and nature: “No man has power over the wind to restrain it, nor power over the day of death”. Human dominion reaches its boundary where God’s ordained seasons begin (Job 14:5). Together these verses form a chiastic tension—earthly rulers appear unassailable, yet they share the universal impotence before death and the created order. Historical Setting Ecclesiastes likely reflects the Persian or early Hellenistic era, when satraps and emperors wielded vast, unquestioned authority. Qoheleth’s Hebrew vocabulary borrows administrative terms common to that milieu, mirroring the lived experience of Judeans under foreign overlords. Shilton, therefore, would have resonated with hearers who knew the might of Ahasuerus or Alexander and felt their own comparative frailty. Theological Significance 1. Relativity of Human Authority Though a king’s shilton may silence protest (Ecclesiastes 8:4), it cannot cancel death (8:8). Scripture reminds rulers of their stewardship (Proverbs 21:1) and subjects of a higher allegiance (Acts 5:29). 2. Affirmation of Divine Sovereignty The limitation of shilton magnifies the absolute sovereignty of God, “whose dominion is an everlasting dominion” (Daniel 4:34). Where human authority fails, divine authority prevails. 3. Moral Accountability Qoheleth implicitly critiques tyranny: because a monarch’s command carries such weight, it must be exercised in justice (Ecclesiastes 8:9). The prophets echo this ethic (Isaiah 10:1-2; Micah 6:8). Practical Application for Ministry • Encourage civil obedience while maintaining ultimate loyalty to Christ (Romans 13:1; Revelation 1:5). Christological Perspective Jesus embodies perfect authority: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matthew 28:18). Unlike the transient shilton of Ecclesiastes, His lordship is universal and eternal. The Gospels display His command over nature (Mark 4:39), death (John 11:43-44), and judgment (John 5:22), fulfilling the longing for a righteous ruler hinted at in Qoheleth. New Testament Echoes The apostolic usage of exousia parallels shilton. Believers share in Christ’s reign (2 Timothy 2:12) yet remain servants (1 Peter 5:2-3). Earthly dominion finds its true purpose only when subordinated to the kingdom of God (Revelation 11:15). Summary Shilton in Ecclesiastes portrays authority that is impressive yet finite. It invites reverence toward rightful governance, realism about human limitation, and reliance on the sovereign Lord whose dominion endures forever. Forms and Transliterations שִׁלְט֑וֹן שִׁלְטוֹן֙ שלטון shilTon šil·ṭō·wn šilṭōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 8:4 HEB: דְּבַר־ מֶ֖לֶךְ שִׁלְט֑וֹן וּמִ֥י יֹֽאמַר־ NAS: of the king is authoritative, who KJV: of a king [is, there is] power: and who may say INT: the word of the king is authoritative who will say Ecclesiastes 8:8 2 Occurrences |
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