Ecclesiastes 8:2

I keep the mouth of the king, and the commandments and [the] swearings of God. (I counsel, (or advise), thee to obey the king’s commands, and to keep your oath, (or your pledge), to God.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

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

In Context

1Who is such as a wise man? and who knoweth the solving, either expounding, of a word? The wisdom of a man shineth in his cheer; and the mightiest shall change his face, (or The wisdom of a person shineth in their face; and maketh even the mightiest to change his expression, or his countenance).

3Haste thou not to go away from his face, and dwell thou not in evil work. For he shall do all thing, that he will, (or For he shall do anything, that he desireth);

Read all of Ecclesiastes 8

Cross References

1 Samuel 14:26And so the people entered into the forest, and flowing honey appeared (there); and no man put his hand to his mouth thereof, for the people dreaded the oath, (or but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath or for the people feared Saul’s curse).

1 Kings 2:43Why therefore keptest thou not the oath of the Lord, and the commandment which I commanded to thee?

Proverbs 24:21My son, dread thou God, and the king; and be thou not meddled with backbiters. (My son, fear thou God or have thou reverence for God, and the king; and be thou not mixed in, or mingled, with backbiters.)

Romans 13:1Every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power but of God (or For there is no authority except from God), and those things that be of God, be ordained.

1 Peter 2:13Be ye subject to each creature of man, for God, (or Be subject to each creation, or to each institution of man, for God); either to the king, as to him that is higher [or is more worthy] in state,

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:2-6

The Excellence of Wisdom; The Duty of Subjects. 1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 2 I counsel thee 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 doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the… Read the whole commentary →

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