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 and the glory of kings to search it out. 3As high as heaven and deep as earth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Remove impurities from silver and out comes material for the refiner. 5Remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6Do not honor yourself in the king’s presence, 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

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 17:3A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold, but Adonai tests the heart.
• Isaiah 1:25Then I will turn My hand on you, purge away your dross, and remove all your alloy.
• Malachi 3:3And He will sit as a smelter or a purifier of silver, and He will cleanse the sons of Levi, and purify them like gold or silver. Then they will become for Adonai those who present an offering in righteousness.
• 2 Timothy 2:20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay—some for honor and some for common use.
• 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.

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