Ecclesiastes 8:4
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?””
A short, plain-language explanation of Ecclesiastes 8:4 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?””
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?”
King James Version · Public Domain“For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“Where the word of a king <FI>is<Fi> power <FI>is<Fi> , and who saith to him, `What dost thou?'”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo Ecclesiastes 8:4 — 18 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 1:18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”
- 2 Samuel 24:4Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army departed from the presence of the king to count the troops of Israel.
- 1 Kings 1:30I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”
- 1 Kings 2:25So King Solomon sent the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck down Adonijah, and he died.
- 1 Kings 2:29It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!”
- 1 Kings 2:46Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon.
- Ezra 6:13In response, Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates diligently carried out what King Darius had decreed.
- Job 9:12If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’
- Job 33:12Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
- Job 34:18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
- Proverbs 19:12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Proverbs 20:2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
- Proverbs 30:31a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.
- Daniel 3:15Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”
- Daniel 4:35All 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?’”
- Luke 12:4I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Romans 9:20But 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?”
- Romans 13:1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).