Ecclesiastes 8:4

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

Surely the king’s authority is absolute; no one can say to him,“What are you doing?”

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Job 9:12 : 12 If he snatches away, who can turn him back? Who dares to say to him,‘What are you doing?’
  • Job 34:18-19 : 18 who says to a king,‘Worthless man’ and to nobles,‘Wicked men,’ 19 who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?
  • Dan 4:35 : 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?’
  • Rom 13:1-4 : 1 Submission to Civil Government 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. 2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation 4 because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong.
  • Luke 12:4-5 : 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom you should fear: Fear the one who, after the killing, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
  • Rom 9:20 : 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?”
  • Prov 19:12 : 12 A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
  • Prov 20:2 : 2 The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
  • Prov 30:31 : 31 a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king with his army around him.
  • Dan 3:15 : 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?”
  • Job 33:12-13 : 12 Now in this, you are not right– I answer you, for God is greater than a human being. 13 Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person’s words?
  • 1 Kgs 2:25 : 25 King Solomon then sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he killed Adonijah.
  • 1 Kgs 2:29-34 : 29 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.” 30 When Benaiah arrived at the tent of the LORD, he said to him,“The king says,‘Come out!’” But he replied,“No, I will die here!” So Benaiah sent word to the king and reported Joab’s reply. 31 The king told him,“Do as he said! Strike him down and bury him. Take away from me and from my father’s family the guilt of Joab’s murderous, bloody deeds. 32 May the LORD punish him for the blood he shed; behind my father David’s back he struck down and murdered with the sword two men who were more innocent and morally upright than he– Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. 33 May Joab and his descendants be perpetually guilty of their shed blood, but may the LORD give perpetual peace to David, his descendants, his family, and his dynasty.” 34 So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and executed Joab; he was buried at his home in the wilderness.
  • 1 Kgs 2:46 : 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.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 8:1-3
    3 verses
    78%

    1Human Government Demonstrates Limitations of Wisdom Who is a wise person? Who knows the solution to a problem? A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh countenance.

    2Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him.

    3Do 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.

  • Eccl 8:5
    76%

    5Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.

  • Prov 16:10
    76%

    10The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

  • Prov 21:1
    75%

    1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.

  • Prov 8:15-16
    2 verses
    74%

    15By me kings reign, and by me potentates decree righteousness;

    16by me princes rule, as well as nobles and all righteous judges.

  • Prov 16:13-14
    2 verses
    73%

    13The delight of a king is righteous counsel, and he will love the one who speaks uprightly.

    14A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

  • Lam 3:37
    73%

    37מ(Mem) Whose command was ever fulfilled unless the Lord decreed it?

  • Dan 4:35
    73%

    35All 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?’

  • Jer 38:5
    72%

    5King Zedekiah said to them,“Very well, you can do what you want with him. For I cannot do anything to stop you.”

  • Dan 4:31
    72%

    31While these words were still on the king’s lips, a voice came down from heaven:“It is hereby announced to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that your kingdom has been removed from you!

  • Job 34:18
    71%

    18who says to a king,‘Worthless man’ and to nobles,‘Wicked men,’

  • Eccl 10:4-5
    2 verses
    71%

    4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

    5I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

  • Job 9:12
    71%

    12If he snatches away, who can turn him back? Who dares to say to him,‘What are you doing?’

  • Isa 10:8
    71%

    8Indeed, he says:“Are not my officials all kings?

  • Prov 20:2
    71%

    2The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

  • Eccl 8:9
    71%

    9While applying my mind to everything that happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one person dominates other people to their harm.

  • Prov 14:28
    70%

    28A king’s glory is the abundance of people, but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler.

  • Eccl 5:8
    70%

    8Government Corruption If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!

  • Ps 99:4
    70%

    4The king is strong; he loves justice. You ensure that legal decisions will be made fairly; you promote justice and equity in Jacob.

  • Jer 22:1-2
    2 verses
    70%

    1The LORD told me,“Go down to the palace of the king of Judah. Give him a message from me there.

    2Say:‘Listen, O king of Judah who follows in David’s succession. You, your officials, and your subjects who pass through the gates of this palace must listen to the LORD’s message.

  • Esth 1:21
    70%

    21The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan.

  • Ps 29:4
    70%

    4The LORD’s shout is powerful, the LORD’s shout is majestic.

  • Dan 2:37
    70%

    37Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream“You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has granted you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor.

  • Isa 32:1
    70%

    1Justice and Wisdom Will Prevail Look, a king will promote fairness; officials will promote justice.

  • Prov 29:2
    70%

    2When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

  • 2 Sam 14:10
    70%

    10The king said,“Bring to me whoever speaks to you, and he won’t bother you again!”

  • Dan 4:22
    70%

    22it is you, O king! For you have become great and strong. Your greatness is such that it reaches to heaven, and your authority to the ends of the earth.

  • 1 Chr 29:12
    70%

    12You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.

  • Job 37:12
    70%

    12The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.

  • Prov 29:4
    70%

    4A king brings stability to a land by justice, but one who exacts tribute tears it down.

  • Prov 20:8
    70%

    8A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

  • 2 Kgs 22:18
    70%

    18Say this to the king of Judah, who sent you to seek an oracle from the LORD:“This is what the LORD God of Israel has said concerning the words you have heard:

  • Prov 29:12
    70%

    12If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.

  • Prov 24:21
    69%

    21Fear the LORD, my child, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels,

  • Jer 22:4
    69%

    4If you are careful to obey these commands, then the kings who follow in David’s succession and ride in chariots or on horses will continue to come through the gates of this palace, as will their officials and their subjects.

  • Ps 138:4
    69%

    4Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O LORD, when they hear the words you speak.

  • Ps 33:9
    69%

    9For he spoke, and it came into existence, he issued the decree, and it stood firm.

  • Hos 10:3
    69%

    3The Lord Will Punish Israel by Removing Its Kings Very soon they will say,“We have no king since we did not fear the LORD. But what can a king do for us anyway?”

  • Job 23:13
    69%

    13But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does.

  • 1 Sam 12:25
    69%

    25But if you continue to do evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”

  • 2 Sam 18:4
    69%

    4Then the king said to them,“I will do whatever seems best to you.”So the king stayed beside the city gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands.