🌀WEB · Ecclesiastes 8:4

What does Ecclesiastes 8:4 mean?

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

— Ecclesiastes 8:4 (World English Bible)

Surrounding context

1

Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

2

I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.

3

Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,

4

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

5

Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.

6

For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.

7

For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

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