Proverbs 10:28

KJV

The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

KJV (with Strong's)

The hope {H8431} of the righteous {H6662} shall be gladness {H8057}: but the expectation {H8615} of the wicked {H7563} shall perish {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What the righteous hope for will end in joy; what the wicked expect will come to nothing.

Berean Standard Bible

The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.

American Standard Version

The hope of the righteousshall begladness; But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:28 masterfully encapsulates the divergent destinies of the righteous and the wicked, declaring that the confident anticipation of those who walk in God's ways culminates in profound and enduring gladness, while the self-serving expectations of the ungodly inevitably vanish into ruin. This proverb articulates a fundamental principle of divine justice, demonstrating that one's moral character and choices definitively shape the nature and ultimate fulfillment of their deepest hopes and aspirations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10 marks a pivotal transition in the book, shifting from the extended wisdom discourses of chapters 1-9 to a vast collection of individual, often antithetical, proverbs. These concise, pithy sayings, largely attributed to Solomon, frequently employ a stark contrast between two archetypal figures—the wise/righteous and the foolish/wicked—and their respective outcomes. Proverbs 10:28 fits seamlessly into this pattern, immediately preceding and reinforcing other proverbs that highlight the differing paths and fates of these two groups, such as the blessing on the head of the just versus violence covering the mouth of the wicked in [Proverbs 10:6](/proverbs/10-6 "Proverbs 10:6 - Blessings and Violence"). The verse's succinct nature and clear dichotomy are hallmarks of this section, designed for memorization and immediate moral and spiritual application.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs originates from the rich ancient Israelite wisdom tradition, a pedagogical movement dedicated to instructing individuals in practical righteousness and the fear of the Lord. In this societal framework, wisdom transcended mere intellectual acumen, encompassing the skill of living a life of integrity and moral discernment within the covenant relationship with God. The proverbs frequently reflect keen observations of daily life, societal norms, and the tangible consequences of actions, grounding abstract principles in concrete outcomes. The concepts of "hope" and "expectation" were deeply intertwined with one's worldview, reflecting either a profound trust in divine providence or a reliance on human effort and worldly schemes. The prevailing cultural understanding, reinforced throughout the wisdom literature, including books like [Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job") and [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "The Book of Ecclesiastes"), was that adherence to God's ways brought blessing and stability, while deviation led inexorably to instability and eventual downfall.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice**, asserting God's righteous governance over the world, where He justly rewards the righteous with gladness and allows the expectations of the wicked to perish. This reinforces the principle that God is actively involved in upholding the moral order. Secondly, it highlights the **Contrast Between Righteousness and Wickedness**, a foundational motif throughout Proverbs, by vividly demonstrating how these two distinct paths lead to diametrically opposed ends. Finally, it speaks to the **Nature of True Hope**, distinguishing between a hope securely grounded in God's character and promises, which is robust and brings joy, and a worldly expectation, which is ultimately fragile and leads to disappointment. This distinction is crucial for understanding the enduring joy of the righteous compared to the fleeting success of the wicked, a tension explored in passages like [Psalm 73](/psalm/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hope (Hebrew, _tôwcheleth'_):** From the root meaning "to wait" or "to expect," this term (H8431) refers to the confident anticipation or assurance held by the righteous. It is not a mere wish or a vague desire, but a firm and positive outlook rooted in God's character, His covenant promises, and the ultimate vindication of those who walk in His ways. It implies a secure and well-founded expectation for future good, leading to joy.
* **Gladness (Hebrew, _simchâh'_):** This word (H8057) denotes blithesomeness, glee, or profound joy, often associated with religious festivals, celebration, or a deep spiritual state. For the righteous, their hope does not merely lead to relief or satisfaction, but culminates in this genuine, enduring, and often exuberant joy, which is a direct fruit of their faith and God's unwavering faithfulness. It signifies a state of deep contentment and delight.
* **Perish (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** This primitive root (H6) means, properly, "to wander away," "lose oneself," and by implication, "to perish" or "be destroyed." For the wicked, their expectation does not merely fade or disappoint; it is completely lost, ruined, or comes to nothing. This signifies the utter nullification of their aspirations, their schemes, and their perceived security, leading to ultimate disillusionment, destruction, and a void where they anticipated fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness:"** This clause presents the positive and assured outcome for those who live in alignment with God's will. Their "hope" (Hebrew: *tôwcheleth*), which is their confident expectation rooted in God's character and promises, will not be frustrated. Instead, it will culminate in profound and enduring "gladness" (Hebrew: *simchâh*). This gladness is not fleeting or circumstantial but a deep, abiding joy that is the natural and divine consequence of a life lived in obedience to God. It implies a fulfilled promise and a secure, joyful future.
* **"but the expectation of the wicked shall perish."** This clause offers a stark and sobering contrast, detailing the negative and inevitable outcome for the wicked. Their "expectation" (Hebrew: *tiqvâh*, which can also mean hope, but here is contrasted with the righteous's *tôwcheleth*, suggesting a different quality or foundation of hope), which is likely based on worldly gain, self-reliance, or deceit, is destined to "perish" (Hebrew: *ʼâbad*). This means their anticipated rewards, security, or success will be utterly destroyed, lost, or come to nothing, leading to ultimate disappointment, ruin, and a profound void where they expected fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 10:28 is **Antithetical Parallelism**. This foundational feature of Hebrew poetry presents two contrasting lines or clauses that highlight opposing ideas, with the second line directly reversing or negating the first. Here, "the hope of the righteous" is set in direct opposition to "the expectation of the wicked," and their respective outcomes, "gladness" versus "shall perish," are diametrically opposed. This stark contrast serves to powerfully emphasize the fundamental difference in the nature and ultimate destiny of these two groups. Additionally, there is a subtle element of **Personification** in that "hope" and "expectation" are given the capacity to "be gladness" or to "perish," underscoring the active and inevitable consequences that flow from one's moral orientation and the object of their trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 10:28 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of retributive justice and the ultimate triumph of God's moral order in the world. It teaches that one's spiritual and moral alignment directly impacts the nature and outcome of their deepest desires and anticipations. The hope of the righteous, being grounded in a faithful God and His immutable promises, is inherently secure and leads to genuine, lasting joy, reflecting God's character as a just rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Conversely, the expectations of the wicked, often built on self-serving motives, fleeting worldly gains, or defiance of God's commands, are inherently unstable and will ultimately collapse, demonstrating God's righteous judgment against unrighteousness. This verse serves as a profound assurance to believers of the enduring value and ultimate vindication of their faith and warns unbelievers of the inherent futility and ultimate disillusionment of a life lived apart from God.

* [Psalm 9:18](/psalm/9-18 "Psalm 9:18 - The Needy and the Wicked")
* [Psalm 112:10](/psalm/112-10 "Psalm 112:10 - The Desire of the Wicked")
* [Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This proverb offers both profound comfort and a sobering warning, compelling us to critically examine the very foundation of our own hopes and expectations. For those who earnestly strive to live righteously, it serves as an unwavering assurance that their trust in God is not in vain; their hope, though potentially tested by present difficulties and delays, will indeed culminate in gladness and ultimate fulfillment. It powerfully encourages perseverance in faith, reminding us that true, abiding joy is not found in fleeting circumstances but in the secure and eternal promise of God's ultimate vindication and reward. Conversely, the verse stands as a stark warning to those who pursue wickedness, reminding them that their perceived successes or anticipated gains, no matter how appealing or prosperous they may seem in the short term, are built on a fragile and ultimately unsustainable foundation. Their pursuits will inevitably lead to disappointment, ruin, and the utter nullification of their deepest aspirations. This compels us to cultivate a long-term, eternal perspective, prioritizing a life of integrity, obedience, and faithfulness to God over the temporary allure of worldly success, for only then can our deepest hopes be truly realized and our joy made full.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the ultimate foundation of my hope and expectations? Is it securely rooted in God's promises and character, or in fleeting worldly achievements and desires?**
* **How does the "gladness" promised to the righteous differ fundamentally from transient happiness or superficial pleasure, and how can I cultivate it?**
* **In what contemporary ways might the "expectation of the wicked" manifest itself in society, and how do we observe its inevitable "perishing"?**
* **How does this proverb encourage and strengthen my perseverance in righteousness, especially during times when the wicked seem to prosper or when my own hopes are challenged?**

### FAQ

**Does "perish" mean the wicked cease to exist, or something else?**

Answer: In the context of Proverbs 10:28, "perish" (Hebrew: *ʼâbad*) refers primarily to the utter destruction, nullification, or failure of the wicked's expectations, aspirations, and perceived security, rather than necessarily their physical annihilation or ceasing to exist. While the term can imply death or ruin in other contexts, here it emphasizes that their plans, their anticipated rewards, and their very hope for the future will come to nothing. Their life's pursuits, built on unrighteousness, will ultimately prove futile and lead to profound disappointment and spiritual ruin, as their foundation is inherently unstable and contrary to God's established moral order. This is starkly contrasted with the enduring gladness of the righteous, whose hope is securely founded on God's faithfulness and promises, as seen in [Psalm 112:10](/psalm/112-10 "Psalm 112:10 - The Desire of the Wicked").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:28 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest theological meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of perfect righteousness and the unshakeable foundation of all true hope. The "hope of the righteous" is not merely a general moral uprightness but a hope rooted in God's covenant promises, which are all definitively "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Through His perfect life of obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus became our righteousness ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Righteousness")), enabling all who believe in Him to stand justified and sanctified before God. The "gladness" promised to the righteous is eternally secured in Him, as believers anticipate not just temporal blessings but the unshakeable joy of eternal life and perfect fellowship with God in His presence ([Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")). Conversely, the "expectation of the wicked" perishes precisely because it is built on a foundation apart from Christ, whether it be self-righteousness, worldly power, fleeting pleasures, or defiance of God's truth. Jesus Himself warned that those who hear His words and do not put them into practice are like a foolish man who built his house on sand, leading to its great collapse ([Matthew 7:26-27](/matthew/7-26 "Matthew 7:26-27 - The Foolish Builder")). In the end, only the hope anchored in Christ endures, serving as a firm and secure anchor for the soul ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")), leading to everlasting gladness, while all other expectations are consumed by the righteous judgment of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 8:13

So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

Romans 15:13

¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Proverbs 11:7

¶ When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.

Psalms 73:24

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.

Psalms 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Romans 5:2

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Job 11:20

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.