Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 17:3
3A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold, but Adonai tests the heart.
Proverbs 17:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
- New International Version (NIV)The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.
Context of Proverbs 17:3
1Better is dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. 2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance with the brothers. A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold, but Adonai tests the heart. 4An evildoer listens to wicked lips; a liar listens to a malicious tongue. 5Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker. Whoever rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:3 word by word
מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:3
- Proverbs 27:21A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold, but a person is proved by the praise he receives.
- Psalms 26:2Probe me, Adonai, and test me, refine my mind and my heart.
- Psalms 66:10For You have tested us, O God— You have purified us, as silver is refined.
- Isaiah 48:10Behold, I have refined you, though not as silver. I tested you in the furnace of affliction.
- Jeremiah 17:10I Adonai search the heart, I try the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.
- Zechariah 13:9This third I will bring through the fire. I will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My Name and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will answer, ‘Adonai is my God.’
- Malachi 3:2But who can endure the day of His coming? Or who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, and like soap for cleaning raw wool.
- 1 Peter 1:7These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua.
- Revelation 2:23I will also strike her children with a deadly disease. Then all of Messiah’s communities will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your deeds.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The fining pot is for silver - When silver is mixed, or suspected to be mixed, with base metal, it must be subjected to such a test as the cupel to purify it. And gold also must be purified by the action of the fire. So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which penetrate the soul, and give a man to see his state, so that he may apply to the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, to destroy what cannot stand the fire, to separate and burn up all…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Wonderful as is the separation of the pure metal from the dross with which it has mingled, there is something yet more wonderful in the divine discipline which purifies the good that lies hid, like a grain of gold, even in rough and common natures, and frees it from all admixture of evil. Compare Malachi 3:2; 1 Peter 1:7.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The Lord's refining fire (see Psalm 66:10; Jeremiah 9:7; Malachi 3:2–3) removes impurities from a person's heart, leaving only what is valuable (compare Proverbs 16:2; 21:2; 27:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; 66:10) the heart.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- 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
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