the Second Week after Epiphany
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New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 8:2
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I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him.
I aduertise thee to take heede to ye mouth of the King, and to the worde of the othe of God.
Keep the king’s command because of your oath made before God.
I say, "Keep the king's command!" because of the oath to God.
I [say], Keep the king's commandment, and [that] on account of the oath of God.
I say you should always obey the king's command. Do this because you made a promise to God.
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
I counsel thee, Keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
If you promised God that you would be loyal to the king, I advise you to keep that promise.
Keep the king's command because of the oath before God.
I [counsel thee]: keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
I counsell thee, to keepe the kings commandement, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Observe the commandment of the king, and that because of the word of the oath of God.
I counsel thee, Keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Keep the king's command, I say, because of your oath before God.
Keep the command of the king because of your oath to God.
I say , Keep the king's word, even on the matter of the oath of God;
Obey the king's command, because you made a promise to God.
Obey the king's command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him.
Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would.
I say, "Obey the words of the king because of the promise you made to God.
Keep the king's command because of your sacred oath.
I said , The bidding of the king, observe thou, even out of regard to the oath of God.
I observe the mouth of the king, and the commandments of the oath of God.
Keep the kings command, and in regard of the oath of God be not hasty.
Do what the king says, and don't make any rash promises to God.
I say, "Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God.
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Kepe the kynges commaundement, namely for the oth that thou hast made vnto God for the same.
I kepe the mouth of the kyng, and the comaundementis and sweryngis of God.
I pray thee, the commandment of a king keep, even for the sake of the oath of God.
I say, "Keep the king's command!" because of the oath to God.
Keep the king's command, and because of your sacred oath be not dismayed;
I [counsel you], Keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
I [counsel thee] to keep the king's commandment, and [that] in regard of the oath of God.
I say to you, Keep the king's law, from respect for the oath of God.
Kepe the kynges commaundemet (I warne the) & the ooth yt thou hast made vnto God.
Do what your king commands; you gave a sacred oath of obedience. Don't worryingly second-guess your orders or try to back out when the task is unpleasant. You're serving his pleasure, not yours. The king has the last word. Who dares say to him, "What are you doing?" Carrying out orders won't hurt you a bit; the wise person obeys promptly and accurately. Yes, there's a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part. It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, or when. Who's around to tell us?
I say, "Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God.
I say, "Keep the command of the king because of the sworn oath before God.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
I counsel: Proverbs 24:21, Romans 13:1-4, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-17
in regard: 1 Kings 2:43, 1 Chronicles 29:24, Ezekiel 17:13-20, Romans 13:5
Reciprocal: Genesis 45:21 - commandment Joshua 9:19 - We have 2 Kings 23:3 - And all 1 Chronicles 29:23 - all Israel 2 Chronicles 34:32 - caused Psalms 55:20 - broken Ecclesiastes 8:5 - keepeth Romans 13:4 - he is 1 Timothy 2:2 - that 1 Peter 2:17 - Fear Revelation 3:18 - counsel
Cross-References
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.
And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.
Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,
When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.
For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, "Go,' and he goes; and to another, "Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this,' and he does it."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
I [counsel thee] to keep the king's commandment,.... Or, "to observe the mouth of the king" w; what he says, and do according to it when it is agreeably to the law of God, and according to the laws of the kingdom, by which he is to govern; for kings are to be honoured, obeyed, and submitted to, in the lawful discharge of their office: and such counsel and advice as this is wholesome; and, being taken, contributes much, as to the honour of kings, so to the good of kingdoms and states, and to a man's own peace and comfort. Aben Ezra supplies it,
"I command thee, or I admonish thee;''
for it may be either a charge, or art advice, respecting this and what follows. Jarchi supplies and paraphrases it thus,
"I have need, and am prepared, to observe the mouth (or keep the commandment) of the King of the world;''
and so Alshech,
"observe that which goes out of the mouth of the King of the world.''
And indeed, to understand it, not of an earthly king, but of the King of kings, as it is understood by other interpreters also, suits better with what is said of this King in the following verses; whose commandments, which are not grievous, but to be loved above fine gold, should be kept from a principle of love, without mercenary and selfish views, as they are delivered out by him, and to his glory; and such a charge as this should be attended to, and such counsel be received;
and [that] in regard of the oath of God; who has swore, that if his children forsake his law, and walk not in his statutes, he will visit their transgressions with a rod, and their iniquities with stripes; and therefore should be careful to keep his commandments, Psalms 89:30. Those who interpret this of an earthly king, by the oath of God understand the oath of allegiance and fidelity to him, taken in the name and presence of God, and therefore for conscience's sake should obey him: or render it, "but [so that thou observest] the manner of the oath of God" x; or takest care to obey him; or do nothing in obedience to kings, which is contrary to the will of God; for God is to be obeyed rather than men, Acts 4:19; especially, and above all things, that is to be regarded.
w ×¤× ××× ×©×ר "os regis observes", Tigurine version, Pagninus, Mercerus; "observa", Montanus, Vatablus, Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus, Rambachius. x ××¢× ××רת ש××עת ××××× "sed, ita quod ad Deum attinent, observes rationem juramenti Dei", Varenius "attamen, supra serve verbum juramenti Dei", Gussetius, p. 605.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Oath - A reference to the oath of allegiance taken to Solomon at his accession to the throne (the margin of 1 Chronicles 29:24).
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Ecclesiastes 8:2. To keep the king's commandment — This sentence would be better translated, I keep the mouth of the king; I take good heed not to meddle with state secrets; and if I know, to hide them. Or, I am obedient to the commands of the laws; I feel myself bound by whatever the king has decreed.
In regard of the oath of God. — You have sworn obedience to him; keep your oath, for the engagement was made in the presence of God. It appears that the Jewish princes and chiefs took an oath of fidelity to their kings. This appears to have been done to David, 2 Samuel 5:1-3; to Joash, 2 Kings 11:17; and to Solomon, 1 Chronicles 29:24.
