English Standard Version
Proverbs 25:3
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Proverbs 25:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
- New International Version (NIV)As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
- New Living Translation (NLT)No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
Context of Proverbs 25:3
1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:3 word by word
שָׁמַ֣יִם לָ֭רוּם וָאָ֣רֶץ לָעֹ֑מֶק וְלֵ֥ב מְ֝לָכִ֗ים אֵ֣ין חֵֽקֶר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:3
- Psalms 103:11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
- Isaiah 7:11"Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."
- Isaiah 55:9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- Romans 8:39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 Kings 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,
- 1 Peter 1:7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The heaven for height - The simple meaning of this is, the reasons of state, in reference to many acts of the executive government, can no more be fathomed by the common people, than the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3The other side of the thought of Proverbs 25:2. What the mind of God is to the searchers after knowledge, that the heart of the true and wise king is to those who try to guess its counsels.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3This warning advises young men entering royal service that some things are beyond understanding, like the king's mysterious reasoning (for example, 2 Samuel 11:14–25; 24:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries