Bible Strands
Proverbs 28:12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text is situated within the book of Proverbs, positioned between a warning about the self-deception of wealth and an instruction on confessing sin. It addresses a reader learning to observe societal patterns under divine wisdom.
The words — תִפְאָ֑רֶת (tif.'A.ret) translates literally to glory or splendor, describing the public honor that accompanies the righteous. יְחֻפַּ֥שׂ (ye.chu.Pas) means he is searched for or hunted, depicting the desperate concealment of people when the wicked gain power.
The thread — This contrast repeats in Proverbs 29:2 and 11:10, where righteous flourishing brings public joy and wicked rule brings public groaning or shouts of joy. Proverbs 28:28 directly echoes the hiding motif, noting that people conceal themselves when the wicked rule but flourish when they perish.
Why it lands — The text states that societal stability and open confidence depend on who holds power, while wicked authority breeds fear and concealment. It asks the reader to recognize that moral leadership determines whether a community lives in public glory or private hiding.
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
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
- Proverbs 11:10 When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
- Proverbs 28:28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
- Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
- Job 29:11 For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me,
- Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
- 1 Samuel 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
- 1 Kings 17:3 “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan.
- 1 Kings 18:13 Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD, fifty men per cave, and I provided them with food and water.
- 1 Kings 19:3 And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,