Ecclesiastes 8:2 Meaning and Explanation
“I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Honor the king's command, remembering that loyalty to lawful authority is bound up with an oath made before God.
What Does Ecclesiastes 8:2 Mean?
Having praised wisdom, the Preacher applies it to life under a powerful ruler. In his world a person swore loyalty to the king in God's name, so obedience was not only political prudence but a sacred promise.
The counsel is steady and humble: keep your word, respect rightful authority, and let the awareness of God govern how you behave before those set over you. Reverence for God shapes reverence in every other relationship. The believer obeys earthly authorities not from fear alone but because faithfulness is owed to the One before whom every oath is sworn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 8:2
What does Ecclesiastes 8:2 mean?
Honor the king's command, remembering that loyalty to lawful authority is bound up with an oath made before God.