Parallel Verses
Julia Smith Translation
Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?
New American Standard Bible
Since the word of the king is authoritative,
King James Version
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Holman Bible
For the king’s word is authoritative, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
International Standard Version
Since a king's command is powerful, who is able to challenge him, asking, "What are you doing?"
A Conservative Version
For the king's word [has] power, and who may say to him, What are thou doing?
American Standard Version
For the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
Amplified
For the word of a king is authoritative and powerful,
And who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
Bible in Basic English
The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing?
Darby Translation
because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
King James 2000
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing?
Lexham Expanded Bible
Since the word of the king [is] supreme, no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
Modern King James verseion
Because the word of a king is that which has power; and who may say to him, What are you doing?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him, "What doest thou?"
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?"
The Emphasized Bible
Where the word of a king is, there is power, - who then may say to him, What wouldst thou do?
Webster
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?"
Youngs Literal Translation
Where the word of a king is power is, and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'
Themes
Government » The kings of the earth
King » Obedience to, encouraged
Interlinear
Dabar
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 8:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
Obedience To The King
3 Thou shalt not hasten going from his face: thou shalt not stand by the word of evil; for he shall do all that he will desire. 4 Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do? 5 He watching the command knew no evil word: and time and judgment the wise one will know.
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
Behold, he will catch and who shall turn him? and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?
Daniel 4:35
And all the generations of the earth being reckoned as nothing: and doing according to his station in the army of the heavens, and the generations of the earth: and there is none that shall strike upon his hand, and say to him, What didst thou?
1 Kings 2:25
And king Solomon will send by the hand of Benaiah, son of Jehoida, and he will strike upon him and he will die.
1 Kings 2:29-34
And it will be announced to king Solomon that Joab fled to the tent of Jehovah; and behold, by the altar. And Solomon will send Benaiah son of Jehoida, saying, Go strike upon him.
1 Kings 2:46
And the king will command Benaiah son of Jehoida, and he will go forth and will strike upon him, and he will die. And the kingdom was prepared in the hand of Solomon.
Job 33:12-13
Behold, this thou wert not just: I will answer thee, for God will be great above man.
Job 34:18-19
Saying to the king, Wickedness; (Belial) to nobles, Injustice.
Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath growling as the young lion, and his acceptance as dew upon the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of the king growling as the young lion: he overflowing against him sinned against his soul.
Proverbs 30:31
One girded in loins, or a he goat; and a king, no rising up with him.
Daniel 3:15
Now if ye being prepared that in the time that ye shall hear the voice of the horn, the pipe, the harp, the lyre, the psaltery, and the bagpipe, and all sorts of music, ye shall fall and prostrate yourselves to the image that I made; and if ye shall not prostrate yourselves in the same moment, ye shall be cast into the midst of the furnace of flaming fire; and who that God that shall deliver you from my hands?
Luke 12:4-5
And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of those killing the body, and after these not having anything remaining to do.
Romans 9:20
Surely, O man, who art thou replying against God? Shall the formation say to him having formed, Why hest thou made me so
Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul be placed under the protecting powers. For there is no power except from God: and the powers being, were ordered by God.