Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is really a wise man, and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? The wisdom of a man, lighteth up his countenance, but, by defiance of countenance, one is disfigured.
The Emphasised Bible by J. B. Rotherham
In The King James Version
In Context
2I [said], The bidding of the king, observe thou, even out of regard to the oath of God.
Cross References
Genesis 40:8And they said unto him, A dream, have we dreamed, but there is none, to interpret, it. Then said Joseph unto them—Is it not unto God, that interpretations belong? Relate it. I pray you, to me.
Genesis 41:38and Pharaoh said unto his servants,—Can we find such a one, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?
Exodus 34:35the sons of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses face shone,—so Moses again put the veil over his face, until he went in to speak with him.
Job 33:23If there hath been near him a messenger who could interpret—one of a thousand, to declare to the son of earth His uprightness,
Proverbs 4:8Exalt her, and she will set thee on high, she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her:
Proverbs 17:24Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:1
Solomon, in this chapter, comes to recommend wisdom to us as the most powerful antidote against both the temptations and vexations that arise from the vanity of the world. Here is, I. The benefit and praise of wisdom, ver. 1 . II. Some particular instances of wisdom prescribed to us. 1. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us, ver. 2-5 . 2. We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death, ver. 6-8 . 3. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive… Read the whole commentary →