Bible Strands
Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon composed; Hezekiah's men compiled. The verse stands as a general observation, not addressed to a specific audience.
The words — The verse pivots on two verbs in infinitive absolute: הַסְתֵּר (has.Ter, "to conceal") and חֲקֹר (cha.Kor, "to search out"), each paired with the same noun דָּבָר (da.Var, "a matter").
The thread — Deuteronomy 29:29 draws the same line between what belongs to God and what belongs to us; Job 11:7 and Romans 11:33 press the "unsearchable" side further. Proverbs 25:3 immediately extends the searching motif to kings' hearts.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to hold two postures at once: reverence before what God withholds, and diligence in what is set before you. The verse does not resolve the tension; it names it as glory on both sides.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 29:29 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.
- Romans 11:33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
- Job 11:7 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
- Job 38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
- Job 42:3 You 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 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- Job 29:16 I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.
- 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore 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 4:15 that 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 4:19 I 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.