American Standard Version
Proverbs 17:3
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold;But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
Proverbs 17:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
- New International Version (NIV)The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.
Context of Proverbs 17:3
1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren. The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. 4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; Anda liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. 5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; Andhe that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:3 word by word
מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:3
- Proverbs 27:21The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man istriedby his praise.
- Psalms 26:2Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.
- Psalms 66:10For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
- Isaiah 48:10Behold, I have refined thee, but not as silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
- Jeremiah 17:10I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
- Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.
- Malachi 3:2But who can abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
- 1 Peter 1:7that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
- Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The fining pot is for silver - When silver is mixed, or suspected to be mixed, with base metal, it must be subjected to such a test as the cupel to purify it. And gold also must be purified by the action of the fire. So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which penetrate the soul, and give a man to see his state, so that he may apply to the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, to destroy what cannot stand the fire, to separate and burn up all…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Wonderful as is the separation of the pure metal from the dross with which it has mingled, there is something yet more wonderful in the divine discipline which purifies the good that lies hid, like a grain of gold, even in rough and common natures, and frees it from all admixture of evil. Compare Malachi 3:2; 1 Peter 1:7.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The Lord's refining fire (see Psalm 66:10; Jeremiah 9:7; Malachi 3:2–3) removes impurities from a person's heart, leaving only what is valuable (compare Proverbs 16:2; 21:2; 27:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; 66:10) the heart.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries