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Scripture · Old Testament

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Ecclesiastes 8:1 is verse 1 of Ecclesiastes chapter 8, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

BSB source and public domain terms

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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.

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Ecclesiastes 8:1–3 · Berean Standard Bible

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.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 8

Hebrew words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Read the commentary on Ecclesiastes 8

Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Ecclesiastes 2:13

And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:

Ecclesiastes 2:14

The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

1 Corinthians 2:13

And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:15

The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:16

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Genesis 40:8

“We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

Genesis 41:15

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

Genesis 41:16

“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”

Genesis 41:38

So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”

Genesis 41:39

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

Job 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,

Proverbs 1:6

by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Daniel 2:28

But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:

Daniel 2:29

As you lay on your bed, O king, your thoughts turned to the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen.

Daniel 2:30

And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

Daniel 2:47

The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”

Daniel 4:18

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.”

Daniel 4:19

For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!

2 Peter 1:20

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.

Exodus 34:29

And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD.

Exodus 34:30

Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him.

Proverbs 4:8

Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.

Proverbs 4:9

She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 24:5

A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

Matthew 17:2

There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

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.

Deuteronomy 28:50

a ruthless nation with no respect for the old and no pity for the young.

Acts 4:13

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:29

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,

Ephesians 6:19

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,

2 Timothy 4:17

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

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