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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 8:4 For the king's word is supreme, and who can say to him, "What are you doing?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/21_Ecc_08_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 8:4 - Obey the King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the king's word is supreme, and who can say to him, What are you doing?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 8:3">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 8:4 <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-5.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 8:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Since a king&#8217s word is supreme, who can say to him, &#8220What are you doing?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Where the word of a king <i>is, there is</i> power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Where the word of a king <i>is, there is</i> power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, &#8220What are you doing?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Since the word of the king is powerful, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the word of a king is authoritative <i>and</i> powerful, And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the king&#8217s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, &#8220What are you doing?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king's word is law. No one can ask him, "Why are you doing this?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Because the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Since a king's word has such power, no one can ask him what he is doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The king acts with authority, and no one can challenge what he does. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Since a king's command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, "What are you doing?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the king?s word is supreme, and who can say to him, ?What are you doing??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one can say to him, "What are you doing?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, what doest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Where the word of a king [is] power [is], and who says to him, “What do you do?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And his word is filled with authority. Neither is anyone able to say to him: “Why are you acting this way?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />His word is sovereign, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For the word of the king is powerful, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In what manner the king speaks is lawful; and who can say to him, What are you doing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Just as the King has spoken, he is authorized, and who will say to him: "What are you doing?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What doest thou?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1447" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Obey the King</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ba·’ă·šer (Prep-b:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">word</a> <a href="/hebrew/7983.htm" title="7983: šil·ṭō·wn (N-ms) -- Mastery. (Aramaic) from shalat; a potentate.">is supreme,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">and who</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mar- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">can say</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ta·‘ă·śeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">are you doing?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-10.htm">Proverbs 16:10</a></span><br />A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />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?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-3.htm">Psalm 115:3</a></span><br />Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12</a></span><br />If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a></span><br />The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a></span><br />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’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a></span><br />Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-10.htm">John 19:10-11</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-9.htm">Psalm 33:9</a></span><br />For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-15.htm">1 Timothy 6:15</a></span><br />which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Revelation 19:16</a></span><br />And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/2-6.htm">Psalm 2:6-9</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-37.htm">Luke 1:37</a></span><br />For no word from God will ever fail.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you?</p><p class="hdg">the word</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/2-25.htm">1 Kings 2:25,29-34,46</a></b></br> And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-12.htm">Proverbs 19:12</a></b></br> The king's wrath <i>is</i> as the roaring of a lion; but his favour <i>is</i> as dew upon the grass.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-2.htm">Proverbs 20:2</a></b></br> The fear of a king <i>is</i> as the roaring of a lion: <i>whoso</i> provoketh him to anger sinneth <i>against</i> his own soul.</p><p class="hdg">what</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-12.htm">Job 33:12,13</a></b></br> Behold, <i>in</i> this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-18.htm">Job 34:18,19</a></b></br> <i>Is it fit</i> to say to a king, <i>Thou art</i> wicked? <i>and</i> to princes, <i>Ye are</i> ungodly? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20</a></b></br> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed <i>it</i>, Why hast thou made me thus?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/10-10.htm">Authoritative</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-16.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/esther/1-15.htm">Forasmuch</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">King's</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Power</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Supreme</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_corinthians/10-10.htm">Authoritative</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-6.htm">Forasmuch</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">King's</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Power</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-1.htm">Supreme</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">true wisdom is modest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-2.htm">Kings are to be respected</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-6.htm">Divine providence is to be observed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">It is better with the godly in adversity, than with the wicked in prosperity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm">The work of God is unsearchable</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the king’s word is supreme</b><br>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 <a href="/romans/13.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a>, 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 (<a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Revelation 19:16</a>).<p><b>and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes the futility of questioning or challenging the king's decisions. In the cultural context of the time, questioning a king could be seen as rebellion or insubordination, often leading to severe consequences. This reflects the broader biblical principle of respecting authority, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21-22</a>, which warns against rebelling against the king. The phrase also points to the sovereignty of God, as seen in <a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12</a>, where Job acknowledges that no one can question God's actions. This can be seen as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God, who is the King of Kings, and whose plans and purposes are beyond human understanding (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>Represents authority and power, often seen as a figure of ultimate earthly authority in biblical times.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was a king known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which Solomon reigned, providing the cultural and historical context for the book of Ecclesiastes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_court.htm">The Court</a></b><br>The setting where the king's word is law, reflecting the hierarchical structure of ancient Near Eastern societies.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_speaker.htm">The Speaker</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often referred to as "the Teacher" or "the Preacher," who reflects on the nature of life and authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a></b><br>Recognize 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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_earthly_powers.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Powers</a></b><br>Understand that while earthly rulers have significant power, they are ultimately under God's sovereign control. This should bring comfort and assurance to believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_speech_and_action.htm">Wisdom in Speech and Action</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_authority.htm">The Limitations of Human Authority</a></b><br>Remember that human authority is limited and temporary. Our ultimate allegiance is to God, who is the supreme ruler over all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_as_citizens_of_heaven.htm">Living as Citizens of Heaven</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to live as citizens of heaven, which means respecting earthly authorities while ultimately serving God's kingdom purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_a_woman_lead_a_nation_in_the_bible.htm">Does the Bible allow a woman to lead a nation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'serve_the_lord'_mean.htm">Is 'This too shall pass' found in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_8_2-4_conflict_with_israelite_history.htm">Could the portrayal of authority and submission in Ecclesiastes 8:2-4 be at odds with historical records of Israelite governance, suggesting a possible later editorial influence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/esther_7_8__was_haman's_death_plausible.htm">Esther 7:8 - How plausible is it, historically and culturally, that Haman would be instantly condemned to death merely from being seen near the queen's couch?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Power.</span>--The word used here and <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm" title="If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they.">Ecclesiastes 5:8</a>, 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 (<a href="/job/9-12.htm" title="Behold, he takes away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What do you?">Job 9:12</a>; see also <a href="//apocrypha.org/wisdom_of_solomon/12-12.htm" title="For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, whom thou made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?">Wisdom Of Solomon 12:12</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Where the word of a king is, there is power.</span> A further confirmation of the last thought. More accurately, "Inasmuch as the word of a king is powerful" (<span class="accented">shilton</span>, 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, <span class="cmt_word">And who may say unto him, What doest thou?</span> The same expression is found applied to God (<a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12</a>; <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a>; Wisd. 12:12). The absolute authority of a despot is spoken of in the same terms as the irresistible power of Almighty God. <span class="greek">Αἰκὼν δὲ βασιλεύς ἐστιν ἔμψυχος Θεοῦ</span>. "God's living image is an earthly king." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(ba·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king’s</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">word</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבַר־</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is supreme,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁלְט֑וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(šil·ṭō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7983.htm">Strong's 7983: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mastery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and who</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can say</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹֽאמַר־</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him,</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are you doing?”</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-4.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 8:4 For the king's word is supreme (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 8:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 8:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 8:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 8:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>