Proverbs 25:3

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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 a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. 5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 25:3 word by word

שָׁמַ֣יִם לָ֭רוּם וָאָ֣רֶץ לָעֹ֑מֶק וְלֵ֥ב מְ֝לָכִ֗ים אֵ֣ין חֵֽקֶר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The heavenשָׁמַיִםshâmayim shâmeh · heavenH8064
• for heightרוּםrûm rûm · heightH7312
• and the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• for depthעֹ֫מֶק‛ômeq · depthH6011
• and the heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• of kingsמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• unsearchableחֵ֫קֶרchêqer · searchH2714

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:3

• Psalms 103:11For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
• Isaiah 7:11“Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”
• Isaiah 55:9“For 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 any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• 1 Kings 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.
• 1 Peter 1:7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory 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

• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Astronomy
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Searchings
• Solomon
• Hezekiah

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