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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/25-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/20_Pro_25_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 25:2 - More Proverbs of Solomon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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to search out a matter is the glory of kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings <i>is</i> to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings <i>is</i> to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God is praised for being mysterious; rulers are praised for explaining mysteries. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to hide things but the glory of kings to investigate them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The glory of God [is] to hide a thing, "" And the glory of kings [is] to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The honour of God is to hide a thing, And the honour of kings to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The glory of God to conceal the word: and the glory of kings to search the word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to fathom a matter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to keep secret a matter; but the glory of the king is to search it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />It is the glory of God that hides the word, and the glory of the King that seeks for the word.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/25-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5079" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">More Proverbs of Solomon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3519.htm" title="3519: kə·ḇōḏ (N-msc) -- Rarely kabod; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness.">It is the glory</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5641.htm" title="5641: has·têr (V-Hifil-Inf) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide, literally or figuratively.">to conceal</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a matter</a> <a href="/hebrew/3519.htm" title="3519: ū·ḵə·ḇōḏ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Rarely kabod; from kabad; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness.">and the glory</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mə·lā·ḵîm (N-mp) -- King. From malak; a king.">of kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/2713.htm" title="2713: ḥă·qōr (V-Qal-Inf) -- To search. A primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately.">to search it out.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-29.htm">Deuteronomy 29:29</a></span><br />The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7-9</a></span><br />Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-7.htm">1 Corinthians 2:7-10</a></span><br />No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. / Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Daniel 2:22</a></span><br />He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a></span><br />that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-3.htm">Psalm 145:3</a></span><br />Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a></span><br />By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-28</a></span><br />But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Ephesians 3:8-10</a></span><br />Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, / and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. / His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/111-2.htm">Psalm 111:2</a></span><br />Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm">1 Corinthians 13:12</a></span><br />Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.</p><p class="hdg">the glory</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/29-29.htm">Deuteronomy 29:29</a></b></br> The secret <i>things belong</i> unto the LORD our God: but those <i>things which are</i> revealed <i>belong</i> unto us and to our children for ever, that <i>we</i> may do all the words of this law.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7,8</a></b></br> Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4</a></b></br> Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.</p><p class="hdg">the honour</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9-28</a></b></br> 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? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">1 Kings 4:29-34</a></b></br> And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that <i>is</i> on the sea shore… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-15.htm">Ezra 4:15,19</a></b></br> 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 <i>is</i> 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… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/78-4.htm">Conceal</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-29.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-4.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-22.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-29.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-30.htm">Search</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Secret</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm">Conceal</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Glory</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-16.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-3.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">Search</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-3.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-9.htm">Secret</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">observations about kings</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">and about avoiding causes of quarrels</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>It is the glory of God to conceal a matter</b><br>This phrase highlights the divine attribute of God's omniscience and sovereignty. In biblical context, God's ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). The concealment of matters by God can be seen in the mysteries of creation, the unfolding of His divine plan, and the hidden wisdom found in Scripture (<a href="/1_corinthians/2-7.htm">1 Corinthians 2:7</a>). This concealment is not to withhold from humanity but to invite deeper relationship and pursuit of understanding. Theologically, it reflects the idea that God reveals Himself progressively and selectively, often through revelation and prophecy. The hidden nature of God's plans can also be seen in the parables of Jesus, where truth is veiled to those not seeking earnestly (<a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10-17</a>).<p><b>and the glory of kings to search it out</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the responsibility and honor of leaders to seek wisdom and understanding. In ancient Israel, kings were expected to rule with justice and discernment, often seeking God's guidance (<a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a>). The act of searching out matters reflects a king's duty to govern wisely, make informed decisions, and uncover truth for the benefit of the people. Historically, this can be seen in the practices of wise rulers like Solomon, who sought knowledge and understanding (<a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">1 Kings 4:29-34</a>). Theologically, it suggests that human leaders, while limited, are called to reflect God's wisdom in their governance. This pursuit of understanding can also be seen as a type of Christ, the ultimate King, who embodies perfect wisdom and knowledge (<a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The supreme being, creator, and ruler of the universe, whose glory is revealed in His wisdom and the mysteries He conceals.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/k/kings.htm">Kings</a></b><br>Earthly rulers who are tasked with governance and justice, reflecting God's wisdom by seeking out truth and understanding.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and role as a king of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally given, representing God's chosen people and their leaders.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_court_of_kings.htm">The Court of Kings</a></b><br>The setting where matters of state and justice are deliberated, symbolizing the pursuit of wisdom and truth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_glory_of_divine_mystery.htm">The Glory of Divine Mystery</a></b><br>God's wisdom is often beyond human comprehension, and His glory is revealed in the mysteries He conceals. This should lead us to a posture of humility and reverence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>Just as kings are called to search out matters, believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding through prayer, study, and reflection on God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leaders.htm">The Role of Leaders</a></b><br>Leaders, like kings, have a responsibility to seek truth and justice, reflecting God's character in their governance and decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_mystery_and_revelation.htm">Balancing Mystery and Revelation</a></b><br>While some things are hidden, God has revealed enough for us to live faithfully. We should focus on what is revealed and trust God with the mysteries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_to_seek.htm">Encouragement to Seek</a></b><br>Believers are invited to actively seek knowledge and understanding, trusting that God will guide and reveal what is necessary for our growth and service.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_to_search_or_give_up.htm">When should you search and when should you give up?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_hide_knowledge.htm">Proverbs 25:2 – Why would an all-knowing and benevolent God find glory in concealing information from humanity? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_scientism_mean.htm">What does scientism mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_sir_william_ramsay.htm">Who was Sir William Ramsay in archaeology and theology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">It is the glory of God to conceal a thing.--</span>For the more we search into the mysteries of nature or revelation, the more do we discover depths of which we had no idea before. God has so ordered things that man may not presume <span class= "ital">to </span>measure himself with his Maker, but may recognise his own insignificance. (Comp. <a href="/romans/11-33.htm" title="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!">Romans 11:33</a>, <span class= "ital">ff</span>.)<p><span class= "bld">But the honour of kings is to search out a matter.</span>--To see their way through political difficulties, and to unmask crime and fraud.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 2-7.</span> - Proverbs concerning kings. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">It is the glory of God to conceal a thing.</span> That which is the chief glory of God is his mysteriousness, the unfathomable character of his nature and attributes and doings. The more we search into these matters, the more complete we find our ignorance to be; finite faculties are utterly unable to comprehend the infinite; they can embrace merely what God chooses to reveal. "Secret things belong unto the Lord our God" (<a href="/deuteronomy/29-29.htm">Deuteronomy 29:29</a>), and the great prophet, favoured with Divine revelations, can only confess, "Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself" <a href="/isaiah/45-15.htm">Isaiah 45:15</a>; comp <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:17</a>; <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">But the honour of kings is to search out a matter.</span> The same word is used for "glory" and "honour" in both clauses, and ought to have been rendered similarly. It is the king's glory to execute justice and to defend the rights and safety of his people. To do this effectually he must investigate matters brought before him, look keenly into political difficulties, get to the bottom of all complications, and watch against possible dangers. The contrast between the glory of God and that of the king lies in this - that whereas both God and the king desire man's welfare, the former promotes this by making him feel his ignorance and littleness and entire dependence upon this mysterious Being whose nature and designs mortals cannot understand; the latter advances the good of his subjects by giving them confidence in his zeal and power to discover truth, and using his knowledge for their benefit. Septuagint, "The glory of God concealeth a word (<span class="greek">λόγον</span>): but the glory of a king honoureth matters (<span class="greek">πράγματα</span>)." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/25-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">It is the glory</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּבֹ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḇōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3519.htm">Strong's 3519: </a> </span><span class="str2">Weight, splendor, copiousness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֭לֹהִים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to conceal</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסְתֵּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(has·têr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5641.htm">Strong's 5641: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a matter</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּבָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the glory</span><br /><span class="heb">וּכְבֹ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·ḇōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3519.htm">Strong's 3519: </a> </span><span class="str2">Weight, splendor, copiousness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of kings</span><br /><span class="heb">מְ֝לָכִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·lā·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to search it out.</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲקֹ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·qōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2713.htm">Strong's 2713: </a> </span><span class="str2">To penetrate, to examine intimately</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/25-2.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 25:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 25:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/25-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 25:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 25:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>