King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Don't be quick to leave his presence, and don't persist in doing what is wrong, for he does whatever he pleases.
Berean Standard Bible:
Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.
American Standard Version:
Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Be not hasty{H926} to go out{H3212} of his sight{H6440}: stand{H5975} not in an evil{H7451} thing{H1697}; for he doeth{H6213} whatsoever pleaseth{H2654} him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ecclesiastes 10:4
- ¶ If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Daniel 5:19
- And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
Proverbs 14:29
- ¶ [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Daniel 4:35
- And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Acts 5:8
- And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Acts 5:9
- Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Proverbs 30:31
- A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ecclesiastes 8:3
Ecclesiastes 8:3 is a verse from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the king of Israel. The book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the meaning of life and the best way to live, often with a skeptical tone. This particular verse is part of a larger section where the author discusses the proper relationship between rulers and subjects.
The verse advises against abruptly leaving the presence of a ruler and warns against standing in an evil matter. The historical context suggests that the ruler in question would be a king or other authority figure in ancient Israel. The verse reflects the reality of life under a monarchy, where the king's favor could be a matter of life and death. The counsel to not be hasty in leaving the ruler's presence implies that one should be cautious and respectful, understanding the power dynamics at play.
The latter part of the verse, "stand not in an evil thing," can be interpreted as an injunction against participating in or supporting wrongdoing. This aligns with the broader wisdom tradition in the Bible, which emphasizes righteous living and moral discernment.
Finally, the phrase "for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him" acknowledges the sovereignty and autonomy of the ruler. In the historical context, this reflects the absolute power that ancient monarchs wielded. However, it also touches on a theological theme: just as the king does what he pleases, so too does God. The verse may implicitly contrast human power with divine freedom, reminding readers that while human rulers have significant control, ultimately, it is God who has true sovereignty over all things.
In summary, Ecclesiastes 8:3 offers practical advice for living under earthly authority, emphasizing prudence, respect for rulers, and a commitment to moral integrity, while also subtly acknowledging the ultimate authority of God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H926
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּהַל
Transliteration: bâhal
Pronunciation: baw-hal'
Description: a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously; be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H2654
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָפֵץ
Transliteration: châphêts
Pronunciation: khaw-fates'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire; [idiom] any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would.