It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
Parallel translations
- WEB It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
- KJV It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
- NKJV It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
- NASB ¶It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
- NLT It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God is glorified in what he hides, while kings are honored by diligently searching things out. Humans should pursue understanding within their God-given limits.
Overview
God's majesty is shown partly in mysteries beyond human grasp (Deut 29:29; Rom 11:33), whereas a wise ruler's honor lies in investigating and discerning matters rightly. The verse balances reverent humility before God with diligent inquiry in human affairs. It dignifies the pursuit of knowledge while reminding us that God remains infinitely greater than our understanding.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Deut 29:29The 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.
- Rom 11:33–34O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
- Job 11:7–8Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
- Job 38:4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
- Job 42:3You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
- 1 Kgs 4:29–34And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- Job 29:16I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.
- 1 Kgs 3:9–28Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- Ezra 4:15that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
- Ezra 4:19I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.
- Ezra 5:17Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
- Job 40:2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 25:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.