Parallel Verses
NET Bible
Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one can say to him, "What are you doing?"
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?"
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 rush out of the king's presence in haste -- do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases. 4 Surely the king's authority is absolute; no one can say to him, "What are you doing?" 5 Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.
Names
Cross References
Job 9:12
If he snatches away, who can turn him back? Who dares to say to him, 'What are you doing?'
Daniel 4:35
All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who inhabit the earth. No one slaps his hand and says to him, 'What have you done?'
1 Kings 2:25
King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah.
1 Kings 2:29-34
When King Solomon heard that Joab had run to the tent of the Lord and was right there beside the altar, he ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, "Go, strike him down."
1 Kings 2:46
The king then gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went and executed Shimei. So Solomon took firm control of the kingdom.
Job 33:12-13
Now in this, you are not right -- I answer you, for God is greater than a human being.
Job 34:18-19
who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,'
Proverbs 19:12
A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The king's terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
Proverbs 30:31
a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king with his army around him.
Daniel 3:15
Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must bow down and pay homage to the statue that I had made. If you don't pay homage to it, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. Now, who is that god who can rescue you from my power?"
Luke 12:4-5
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do.
Romans 9:20
But who indeed are you -- a mere human being -- to talk back to God? Does what is molded say to the molder, "Why have you made me like this?"
Romans 13:1-4
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God's appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.