Ecclesiastes 8:4
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New International Version (©1984)
Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Since a king's word has such power, no one can ask him what he is doing.

King James Bible
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

American King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you?

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?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so?

Darby Bible Translation
because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

English Revised Version
Because the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

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?"

Young's Literal Translation
Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'

Geneva Study Bible

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. God's very "word" is "power." So the gospel word (Ro 1:16; Heb 4:12).

who may say, &c.-(Job 9:12; 33:13; Isa 45:9; Da 4:35). Scripture does not ascribe such arbitrary power to earthly kings.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!


Job 9:12 "Were He to snatch away, who could restrain Him? Who could say to Him, 'What are You doing?'
Daniel 4:35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?' (NASB ©1995)

Authoritative Authority Forasmuch King's Power Supreme Word


Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

the word 1Ki 2:25,29-34,46 Pr 19:12 20:2 30:31 Da 3:15 Lu 12:4,5 Ro 13:1-4

what Job 33:12,13 34:18,19 Ro 9:20

Bible Gateway: Ecclesiastes Chapter 8 Verse 4 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: a are authoritative can doing him is king king's of say Since supreme the to What who will word you

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