Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 25:2
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate 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 too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. 3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated. 4Remove impurities from silver, and material will be produced for a silversmith.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:2 word by word
כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:2
- Deuteronomy 29:29The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.
- Job 11:7Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
- Job 38:4Where were you when I established the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
- Job 40:2Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who argues with God give an answer.
- Job 42:3You asked, “Who is this who conceals my counsel with ignorance?” Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know.
- Romans 11:33Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways!
- 1 Kings 3:9So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
- 1 Kings 4:29God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore.
- Ezra 4:15that a search should be made in your predecessors’ record books. In these record books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces. There have been revolts in it since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
- Ezra 5:17So if it pleases the king, let a search of the royal archives in Babylon be conducted to see if it is true that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Let the king’s decision regarding this matter be sent to us.
- Ezra 6:1King Darius gave the order, and they searched in the library of Babylon in the archives.
- Job 29:16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.
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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries