Proverbs 28:12 - Exposition

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory (comp. Proverbs 29:2 ; Proverbs 11:10 ). "Rejoice," rather triumph , as conquerors, right prevailing and wickedness being overcome. Then there is great show of joy, and, as the expression implies, men put on their festal garments to do honorer to the occasion: See the description of Solomon's time ( 1 Kings 4:20 , 1 Kings 4:25 ). If we take this verse in connection with Proverbs 28:2 , we may see in it the triumph of order after a period of confusion and anarchy. Septuagint, "Through the help of righteous men great glory arises." But when the wicked rise, a man is hidden (comp. Proverbs 28:28 , where, however, the verb is different). The Authorized Version m, one that when the wicked rise to power, people have to hide themselves in order to escape danger to life and property. The verb is more literally rendered, "are searched for," i . e . they have betaken themselves to hiding places, and have to be looked for; they fear oppression and injury, and venture no longer into the streets and open places. Vulgate,Regnantibus impiis ruinae hominum , "When evil men are m power, there is general ruin;" Septuagint, "In the places of the ungodly men are caught." Other interpretations of the proverb have been suggested, though none is so satisfactory as that given above. Thus some take the searching out to mean testing, in the sense that evil times try men's characters, and bring out their true nature ( 1 Corinthians 11:19 ). Others explain that, under the reign of the impious, men do not come forward to take part in public affairs, but retire sullenly into private life.