Parallel Verses
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?
Julia Smith Translation
Wheresoever the word of a king, it is powerful: and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?
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
Do not be hasty to rebel against him; do not persist in any evil thing, for he shall do whatsoever pleases him;
4 Since the word of the king is authoritative,
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
Behold, he shall take away, who can cause him to restore? Who shall say unto him, What doest thou?
Daniel 4:35
and all the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing; and in the army of heaven and in the inhabitants of the earth, he does according to his will; nor is there anyone who can interfere with his hand and say unto him, What doest thou?
1 Kings 2:25
Then King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.
1 Kings 2:29-34
And it was told King Solomon that Joab had fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD and that he was by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
1 Kings 2:46
Then the king commanded Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, who went out and fell upon him that he died. And the kingdom was confirmed in the hand of Solomon.
Job 33:12-13
Behold, in this thou art not just; I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Job 34:18-19
Is it fit to say to the king, Thou art of Belial and to the princes, Ye are ungodly?
Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion, but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The fear of the king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own soul.
Proverbs 30:31
the greyhound who is girded up of loins; a he goat also, and the king, against whom no one rises up.
Daniel 3:15
Now, are ye ready when ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and of every musical instrument to fall down and worship the statue which I made? For if ye do not worship, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Luke 12:4-5
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of those that kill the body and, after that, have no more that they can do.
Romans 9:20
Rather, O man, who art thou to reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Romans 13:1-4
Let every soul submit itself to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God.