American Standard Version
Proverbs 25:2
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing;But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
- New International Version (NIV)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
- New King James Version (NKJV)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Context of Proverbs 25:2
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:2 word by word
כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:2
- Deuteronomy 29:29The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
- Job 11:7Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
- Job 38:4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.
- Job 40:2Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.
- Job 42:3Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
- Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
- 1 Kings 3:9Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?
- 1 Kings 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.
- Ezra 4:15that 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 laid waste.
- Ezra 5:17Now 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.
- Ezra 6:1Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
- Job 29:16I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2It 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The earthly monarch might be, in some respects, the type of the heavenly, but here there is a marked contrast. The king presses further and further into all knowledge; God surrounds Himself as in “thick darkness,” and there are secrets unrevealed even after the fullest revelation.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3This warning advises young men entering royal service that some things are beyond understanding, like the king's mysterious reasoning (for example, 2 Samuel 11:14–25; 24:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. God's unsearchableness impresses us with awe (compare Is 45:15; Ro 11:33). But kings, being finite, should confer with wise counsellors;Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries