Proverbs 28:28
Proverbs 28:28 in Multiple Translations
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
When the wicked rise vp, men hide them selues: but when they perish, ye righteous increase.
In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, And in their destruction the righteous multiply!
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the lust shall be multiplied.
When wicked people become rulers, people hide because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do; but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous people will become the rulers.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 28:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 28:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/ק֣וּם
רְ֭שָׁעִים
יִסָּתֵ֣ר
אָדָ֑ם
וּ֝/בְ/אָבְדָ֗/ם
יִרְבּ֥וּ
צַדִּיקִֽים
בְּ/ק֣וּם
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
יִסָּתֵ֣ר
çâthar
H5641
to hide
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
וּ֝/בְ/אָבְדָ֗/ם
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
יִרְבּ֥וּ
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
צַדִּיקִֽים
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 28:28
בְּ/ק֣וּם
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
יִסָּתֵ֣ר
çâthar
H5641
"to hide"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to hide or conceal something, like covering it up. It can also mean to keep something secret or hidden from others, as in Psalm 27:5.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to hide oneself 1a2) to be hidden, be concealed 1b) (Piel) to hide carefully 1c) (Pual) to be hidden carefully, be concealed 1d) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1e) (Hithpael) to hide oneself carefully Aramaic equivalent: se.tar (סְתַר "to hide" H5642A)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:14; Psalms 55:13; Psalms 10:11.
אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
וּ֝/בְ/אָבְדָ֗/ם
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
Conj | Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
יִרְבּ֥וּ
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
צַדִּיקִֽים
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 28:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 28:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:28
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:28
- Sermons on Proverbs 28:28
Context — The Boldness of the Righteous
26He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
28When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 29:2 | When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. |
| 2 | Job 24:4 | They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding. |
| 3 | Acts 12:23–24 | Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and multiply. |
| 4 | Proverbs 28:12 | When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. |
| 5 | Esther 8:17 | In every province and every city, wherever the king’s edict and decree reached, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many of the people of the land themselves became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them. |
Proverbs 28:28 Summary
This verse tells us that when bad people are in charge, good people often hide to stay safe, but when those bad people are gone, good people can live freely and happily again. It's like when the sun comes out after a storm; everything feels fresh and new. This reminds us that even when things seem really tough, God is still in control and has a plan to bring peace and justice, as we see in verses like Psalm 37:9 and Jeremiah 29:11. By trusting in God and doing what is right, we can have hope for a better tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when wicked people gain power over a community or nation?
According to Proverbs 28:28, when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves, indicating a climate of fear and oppression, as also seen in Psalm 37:12 where the wicked plot against the righteous.
Does this verse suggest that the righteous are immune to harm when the wicked are in power?
No, it does not suggest immunity to harm, but rather that despite the challenges, the righteous will ultimately flourish, a promise also found in Psalm 37:7-9 and Jeremiah 29:11, which encourage trust in God's plan for their lives.
How do the righteous flourish when the wicked perish?
The flourishing of the righteous when the wicked perish implies a restoration of justice and peace, allowing the righteous to live without the fear of oppression, as hinted in Isaiah 11:1-10, where a righteous king brings peace and justice to the land.
Is this verse only talking about political power, or does it have a broader application?
While Proverbs 28:28 can be applied to political power, its principles can also be applied to any situation where wickedness gains influence, such as in personal relationships or communities, and reminds us that God's justice will ultimately prevail, as stated in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Romans 12:19.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I see wickedness flourishing around me, and what does my response reveal about my trust in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways can I, as a righteous person, prepare myself to flourish in a time when wickedness is being judged, and what role does faith and obedience play in this?
- What are some personal areas where I may be hiding myself due to fear of the wicked, and how can I find the courage to stand firm in my faith?
- How does the promise of the righteous flourishing impact my daily life and interactions, and what difference should it make in how I treat others and trust in God's plan?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:28
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves,.... When wicked men are raised to places of power and authority, rich men hide themselves, lest they should become a prey to them; and good men hide
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:28
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves - (note, Proverbs 28:12; Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 29:2 .)
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:28
Men hide themselves; men, i.e. righteous men, as appears from the following clause, are ashamed and afraid to appear publicly; of which See Poole "". The righteous increase; they who were righteous do now again appear in public, and being advanced to that power which the wicked rulers have lost, they use their authority to encourage and promote righteousness, and to punish unrighteousness, whereby the number of wicked men is diminished, and the righteous are multiplied.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:28
Proverbs 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.Ver. 28. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves.] They are glad to skulk and shelter themselves from that fierce storm. But when they perish, the righteous increase.] When either they die, or are deposed from their dignities, the righteous swarm as a hive of bees in a warm sunny day - as they did when Constantine came to the crown, and here when Queen Elizabeth came as a fresh spring after a sharp winter, and brought the ship of England from a tempestuous sea to a safe harbour.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:28
28. When the wicked rise — When bad men are in power, good men flee from their tyranny. But when bad rulers are destroyed, the good come back from their exile, or out of obscurity, and multiply in the land.
Sermons on Proverbs 28:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Turning the Tide - Part 1 by Charles Stanley | This sermon emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings throughout history to avoid the consequences of disobedience. It reflects on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 1 by Alan Cairns | This sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning between different sins and understanding that while all sin is damnable, not all sin is equal. It encourages believers to engage |
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If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
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I Was a Slave in Russia - Part 2 by John Noble | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of being in a prisoner camp in the Soviet Union. He describes how prisoners from different backgrounds and professions were brough |
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When the Wicked Man Rules by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of the gospel permeating every area of our lives, including political engagement. It highlights the need for the church to address critical is |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 492 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the ongoing impeachment process against the president and the phrase "high crimes and misdemeanors" mentioned in the Constitution. The speaker |
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(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 47 Psalm 72 by Keith Simons | Keith Simons explores Psalm 72, which reflects on the rule of King Solomon and foreshadows the reign of the Messiah. He emphasizes that both rulers are characterized by justice, ri |