Proverbs 25 · Verse 2

Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2, King James Version

Proverbs 25:2 in other translations

BSBIt is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
WEBIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
ASVIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
YLTThe honour of God is to hide a thing, And the honour of kings to search out a matter.
DARBYIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
BBEIt is the glory of God to keep a thing secret: but the glory of kings is to have it searched out.
WebsterIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

What does Proverbs 25:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare Is 45:15; Ro 11:33). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing - This has been understood as referring to the revelation of God's will in his word, where there are many things concealed in parables, allegories, metaphors, similitudes, etc. And it is becoming the majesty of God so to publish his will, that it must be seriously studied to be understood, in order that the truth may be more prized when it is discovered. And if it be God's glory thus partially to conceal his purposes, it is the glory of a king to search and examine this word, that he may understand how by Him kings reign and princes decree judgment. Prophecies are partially concealed; and we cannot fully know their meaning till their accomplishment; and then the glory of God's wisdom and providence will be more particularly evident, when we see the event correspond so particularly and exactly with the prediction. I know not, however, that there are not matters in the Book of God that will not be fully opened till mortality is swallowed up of life. For here we see through a glass darkly; but there, face to face: here we know in part; but there we shall know as we also are known. On this subject I cannot withhold an extract of a letter sent to myself, by a royal and learned personage. (His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.) "As far as I have presumed to dive into and occupy myself with the sacred volumes, I feel satisfied of their Divine origin and truth. And I am satisfied, likewise, that they contain more matter than any one, and myself in particular, can ever aspire fully to understand. This belief, however, ought in nowise to slacken our diligence, or damp our ardor, in attempting a constant pursuit after the attainment of knowledge and truth; as we may flatter ourselves, although unable to reach the gate, we are still approaching nearer to its portals, which of itself is a great blessing." This sentiment will be approved by every pious and enlightened mind.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 25:1-3

God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness.

Read the full comment on Proverbs 25:1-3 →

Proverbs 25:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כְּבֹ֣דke.Vod[is] [the] glory ofH3519
אֱ֭לֹהִים'E.lo.HimGodH430
הַסְתֵּ֣רhas.Terto concealH5641
דָּבָ֑רda.Vara matterH1697
וּכְבֹ֥דu.khe.Vodand [is the] glory ofH3519
מְ֝לָכִ֗יםme.la.KhimkingsH4428
חֲקֹ֣רcha.Korto search outH2713
דָּבָֽר\׃da.Vara matterH1697

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 25:2

  • Deuteronomy 29:29

    The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

  • Romans 11:33-34

    O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

  • Job 11:7-8

    Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

  • Job 38:4-39:30

    Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? …

  • Job 42:3

    Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

  • 1 Kings 4:29-34

    And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. …

  • Job 29:16

    I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

  • 1 Kings 3:9-28

    Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. …

  • Ezra 4:15

    That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

  • Ezra 4:19

    And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

  • Ezra 5:17-6:1

    Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

  • Job 40:2

    Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the glory.
De 29:29; Job 11:7,8; 38:4-41; 39:1-30; 40:2; 42:3; Ro 11:33,34
the honour.
1Ki 3:9-28; 4:29-34; Ezr 4:15,19; 5:17; 6:1; Job 29:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 25:1

    These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

  • Proverbs 25:2

    It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

  • Proverbs 25:3

    The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Read all of Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Gloria de Dios es encubrir la palabra; mas honra del rey es escudriñar la palabra.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La gloire de Dieu est de cacher une chose, et la gloire des rois est de sonder une chose.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Gottes Ehre ist es, eine Sache zu verbergen, aber der Könige Ehre, eine Sache zu erforschen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.