New Living Translation
Proverbs 25:3
3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
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 King James Version (NKJV)As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Context of Proverbs 25:3
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind! 4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
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 his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
- Isaiah 7:11“Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”
- Isaiah 55:9For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
- Romans 8:39No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 1 Kings 4:29God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.
- 1 Peter 1:7These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries