Ecclesiastes 8:1 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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.

Who is the wise men? Praise of true wisdom continued, (Ecclesiastes 7:11, etc.) "Who" is to be accounted "equal to the wise man?"

Knoweth the interpretation - of God's providences (e.g., Ecclesiastes 7:8; Ecclesiastes 7:13-14), and God's word (e.g., Ecclesiastes 7:29, note; Proverbs 1:6).

Face to shine - (Ecclesiastes 7:14; Stephen, Acts 6:15.) A sunny countenance, the reflection of a tranquil conscience and serene mind. Communion with God gives it (so Moses, Exodus 34:29-30).

And the boldness - austerity.

Changed - into a benign expression by true wisdom (religion) (James 3:17). Or as margin, strength (Ecclesiastes 7:19; Isaiah 40:31; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Hebrew for "boldness" х `oz (H5797)], though often used in a good sense, is found in a bad one in Daniel 8:23; Deuteronomy 28:50.

Ecclesiastes 8:1

1 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 boldnessa of his face shall be changed.