Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 17:3
3A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of 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 a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share an inheritance among brothers. A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts. 4A wicked person listens to malicious talk; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. 5The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:3 word by word
מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:3
- Proverbs 27:21As a crucible refines silver, and a smelter refines gold, so a person should refine his praise.
- Psalms 26:2Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
- Psalms 66:10For you, God, tested us; you refined us as silver is refined.
- Isaiah 48:10Look, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
- Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
- Zechariah 13:9I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
- Malachi 3:2But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach.
- 1 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith — more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Revelation 2:23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each 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
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