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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

Context of Proverbs 25:4

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. 3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; 5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. 6Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;

Proverbs 25:4 word by word

הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Take awayהָגָהhâgâh · to removeH1898
• the drossסִיגsîyg sûg · drossH5509
• from the silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• and there shall come forthיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: produceH3318
• a vesselכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
• for the finerצָרַףtsâraph · to refineH6884

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:4

• Proverbs 17:3The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
• Isaiah 1:25I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
• Malachi 3:3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,
• 2 Timothy 2:20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
• 1 Peter 1:7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

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