Ecclesiastes 8:1 “Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A…”

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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.

American Standard 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 hardness of his face is changed.

Geneva Bible 1599

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? the wisedome of a man doth make his face to shine: and the strength of his face shalbe changed.

Darby Translation

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.

Young's Literal Translation

Who [is] as the wise? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? The wisdom of man causeth his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Bible in Basic English

Who is like the wise man? and to whom is the sense of anything clear? A man's wisdom makes his face shining, and his hard face will be changed.

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Cross references

“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.”

1 Corinthians 2:13–16 Ecclesiastes 2:13 Ecclesiastes 2:14

1 Corinthians 2:13–16 · BSB

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.

Ecclesiastes 2:13 · BSB

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

Ecclesiastes 2:14 · BSB

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.

“who knoweth”

2 Peter 1:20 Job 33:23 Proverbs 1:6 Daniel 2:28–30 Daniel 2:47 Genesis 40:8

2 Peter 1:20 · BSB

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

Job 33:23 · BSB

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 · BSB

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

Daniel 2:28–30 · BSB

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 2:47 · BSB

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.”

Genesis 40:8 · BSB

“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.”

“a man's”

Acts 6:15 Proverbs 17:24 Proverbs 24:5 Matthew 17:2 Exodus 34:29 Exodus 34:30

Acts 6:15 · BSB

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Proverbs 17:24 · BSB

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

Proverbs 24:5 · BSB

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

Matthew 17:2 · BSB

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

Exodus 34:29 · BSB

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 · BSB

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

“and the”

Deuteronomy 28:50 Acts 4:13 Acts 4:29 Ephesians 6:19

Deuteronomy 28:50 · BSB

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

Acts 4:13 · BSB

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 · BSB

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

Ephesians 6:19 · BSB

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,

“boldness”

2 Timothy 4:17

2 Timothy 4:17 · BSB

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.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.

Read Ecclesiastes 8