Proverbs 28:12

Authorized King James Version

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When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

Original Language Analysis

בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ men do rejoice H5970
בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ men do rejoice
Strong's: H5970
Word #: 1 of 8
to jump for joy, i.e., exult
צַ֭דִּיקִים When righteous H6662
צַ֭דִּיקִים When righteous
Strong's: H6662
Word #: 2 of 8
just
רַבָּ֣ה there is great H7227
רַבָּ֣ה there is great
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 3 of 8
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
תִפְאָ֑רֶת glory H8597
תִפְאָ֑רֶת glory
Strong's: H8597
Word #: 4 of 8
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
וּבְק֥וּם rise H6965
וּבְק֥וּם rise
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 5 of 8
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים but when the wicked H7563
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים but when the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 6 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יְחֻפַּ֥שׂ is hidden H2664
יְחֻפַּ֥שׂ is hidden
Strong's: H2664
Word #: 7 of 8
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
אָדָֽם׃ a man H120
אָדָֽם׃ a man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 8 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

Analysis & Commentary

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory—The triumph of the tsaddiqim (righteous) brings rab tif'arah (abundant glory, splendor). Public celebration follows covenant faithfulness; the community flourishes when justice prevails.

The antithesis is ominous: when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. When the resha'im (wicked) ascend to power, yechupas adam (a man is searched out/hidden). The righteous go into hiding, concealing themselves from oppression. This pattern repeats throughout history—Elijah fleeing Jezebel (1 Kings 19), David hiding from Saul, believers during persecution. Proverbs 28:28 parallels: 'When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.'

Historical Context

Israel experienced this cycle repeatedly: righteous kings like Hezekiah and Josiah brought reformation and rejoicing, while wicked rulers like Manasseh and Ahab drove the faithful underground. The book of Judges shows this pattern (oppression under wickedness, deliverance through righteous judges). Revelation 11:10 depicts the wicked rejoicing when God's witnesses are killed.

Questions for Reflection