Ecclesiastes 8:4

In 11 translations

BSB

For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

KJV

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

WEB

for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

ASV

For the king’s word hath power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

LSV

Where the word of a king [is] power [is], and who says to him, “What do you do?”

YLT

Where the word of a king [is] power [is], and who saith to him, 'What dost thou?'

DBY

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

DRC

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

GNV

Where the word of ye King is, there is power, and who shall say vnto him, What doest thou?

JPS

Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?'

LXXE

even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What doest thou?

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דְּבַר־מֶ֖לֶךְ שִׁלְט֑וֹן וּמִ֥י יֹֽאמַר־ל֖וֹ מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃

LXX-Br

καθὼς βασιλεὺς ἐξουσιάζων. καὶ τίς ἐρεῖ αὐτῷ, τί ποιεῖς;

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Romans 13:1–4Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is…
• Job 9:12If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’
• Proverbs 20:2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
• Daniel 4:35All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”
• Romans 9:20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
• Proverbs 19:12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
• Job 34:18–19who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
• 1 Kings 2:25So King Solomon sent the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who struck down Adonijah, and he died.
• Daniel 3:15Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will…
• Job 33:12–13Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?
• 1 Kings 2:46Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon.
• 1 Kings 2:29–34It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and…
• Proverbs 30:31a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.
• Luke 12:4–5I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into…

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).