Bible Strands
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
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Preacher addresses subjects living under royal authority, immediately preceding a command to obey the king’s decree because of a sworn oath before God.
The words — The Hebrew pešer (פֵּשֶׁר) denotes the "interpretation" or resolution of a matter, while ḥokmat (חָכְמָה) refers to the practical "wisdom" that alters a person’s outward countenance.
The thread — The motif of wisdom visibly transforming a face appears in Acts 6:15, where Stephen’s countenance shines before the Sanhedrin, while the nature of scriptural interpretation is addressed in 2 Peter 1:20.
Why it lands — The text states that wisdom physically brightens a person’s face and softens sternness, requiring readers to recognize discernment as a visible, practical reality rather than an abstract concept.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
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.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 4:8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
- 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.
- Ecclesiastes 2:13 And I saw that wisdom exceeds folly, just as light exceeds darkness:
- 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.”