Ecclesiastes 8:4 akjv — Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you?

American King James Version

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

— Ecclesiastes 8:4, American King James Version

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Ecclesiastes 8:4 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 8 — Context

1

Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

2

I counsel you to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

3

Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him.

4

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

5

Whoever keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment. ¶

6

Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great on him.

7

For he knows not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

Ecclesiastes 8:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 8:4 say?
Ecclesiastes 8:4 in the American King James Version reads: “Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you? ”
Where is Ecclesiastes 8:4 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 8:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 8, verse 4.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 8:4.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 8:4 in?
Ecclesiastes 8:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 8:4?
Ecclesiastes 8:4 reads (AKJV): “Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say to him, What do you? ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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