Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.
2 Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.
3 Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- 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.
- ASV
- 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 hardness of his face is changed.
- DARBY
- Who is as the wise? and who knoweth the explanation of things? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.
- BLB
- Who [is] like the wise one, and who knows the interpretation of a thing? The wisdom of a man makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
- ÅB
- Hvem er som den vise, og hvem forstår å tyde tingene? Visdommen gjør menneskets ansikt lyst, og trossen i hans åsyn forvandles.
- OTB
- Hvem kan sammenlignes med den vise, og hvem forstår meningen med en sak? Visdom lyser opp en persons ansikt og myker opp dets strenghet.
- B1930
- Hvem er som den vise, og hvem forstår å tyde tingene? Visdommen gjør menneskets ansikt lyst, og trossen i hans åsyn forvandles.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Acts 6:15
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 28:50
a ruthless nation with no respect for the old and no pity for the young.
Read in context2 Peter 1:20
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.
Read in contextProverbs 24:5
A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.
Read in contextProverbs 17:24
Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Read in contextActs 4:29
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,
Read in contextJob 33:23
Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
Read in contextDaniel 4:18–19
This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Read in context