Proverbs 25:4

Proverbs 25:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
• New International Version (NIV)Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
• English Standard Version (ESV)Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
• New King James Version (NKJV)Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

Context of Proverbs 25:4

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; 5Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. 6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;

Proverbs 25:4 word by word

הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי׃Read the interlinear

• Takeהָגָהhâgâh · to removeH1898
• drossסִיגsîyg sûg · drossH5509
• from the silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• And there comesיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: produceH3318
• out a vesselכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
• smithצָרַףtsâraph · to refineH6884

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:4

• Proverbs 17:3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.
• Isaiah 1:25I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy.
• Malachi 3:3He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
• 2 Timothy 2:20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
• 1 Peter 1:7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Take away the dross from the silver - You cannot have a pure silver vessel till you have purified the silver; and no nation can have a king a public blessing till the wicked - all bad counsellors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants - are banished from the court and cabinet. When the wise and good only are the king's ministers and advisers, then the throne will be established in righteousness, and his administration be a universal blessing.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-5Verses 4-5 For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Just as silver is useful after removing impurities, the king’s court can do justice when removing wicked people. A small amount of evil can ruin much good (Ecclesiastes 10:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. As separating impurities from ore leaves pure silver, so taking from a king wicked counsellors leaves a wise and beneficent government.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:4

• Dross
• Silver

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Dross
• Finer
• Heavy
• Finer; Fining
• Goldsmith
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of

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