Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person's wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.

◄ Ecclesiastes 8:1 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person's wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.

English Standard Version
Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

New American Standard Bible
Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam.

King James Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who is like the wise person, and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.

International Standard Version
Who is really wise? Who knows how to interpret this saying: "A person's wisdom improves his appearance, softening a harsh countenance."

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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The wisdom of a man shineth in his countenance, and the most mighty will change his face.

Darby Bible 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.

Cross References

Romans 13:5
Why you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Exodus 34:29
And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

Exodus 34:30
And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him.

Deuteronomy 28:50
A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young:

Proverbs 21:29
A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way.

Jump to Previous

Appearance Beam Boldness Brightens Causes Causeth Changed Changes Clear Countenance Explanation Face Hard Hardness Illumines Interpretation Makes Maketh Matter Sense Shine Shining Stern Wisdom Wise

Jump to Next

Appearance Beam Boldness Brightens Causes Causeth Changed Changes Clear Countenance Explanation Face Hard Hardness Illumines Interpretation Makes Maketh Matter Sense Shine Shining Stern Wisdom Wise

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

8:1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 8

Ec 8:1-17.

1. Praise of true wisdom continued (Ec 7:11, &c.). "Who" is to be accounted "equal to the wise man? … Who (like him) knoweth the interpretation" of God's providences (for example, Ec 7:8, 13, 14), and God's word (for example, see on [665]Ec 7:29; Pr 1:6)?

face to shine—(Ec 7:14; Ac 6:15). A sunny countenance, the reflection of a tranquil conscience and serene mind. Communion with God gives it (Ex 34:29, 30).

boldness—austerity.

changed—into a benign expression by true wisdom (religion) (Jas 3:17). Maurer translates, "The shining (brightness) of his face is doubled," arguing that the Hebrew noun for "boldness" is never used in a bad sense (Pr 4:18). Or as Margin, "strength" (Ec 7:19; Isa 40:31; 2Co 3:18). But the adjective is used in a bad sense (De 28:50).