Proverbs 17 · Verse 3

Proverbs 17:3

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
Proverbs 17:3, King James Version

Proverbs 17:3 in other translations

BSBA crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
WEBThe refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
ASVThe refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
YLTA refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts is Jehovah.
DARBYThe fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
BBEThe heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
WebsterThe fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

What does Proverbs 17:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; 66:10) the heart.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 The 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 the dross.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 17:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מַצְרֵ֣ףmatz.Refa crucibleH4715
לַ֭כֶּסֶףLa.ke.sef[is] for <the> silverH3701
וְכ֣וּרve.Khurand a smelting furnaceH3564
לַזָּהָ֑בla.za.Hav[is] for <the> goldH2091
וּבֹחֵ֖ןu.vo.Chenand [is] testingH974
לִבּ֣וֹתli.BotheartsH3826
יְהוָֽה\׃Yah.wehYahwehH3068

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 17:3

  • Isaiah 48:10

    Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Psalms 26:2

    Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

  • Proverbs 27:21

    As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17

    I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

  • 1 Peter 1:7

    That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

  • Psalms 66:10

    For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

  • Revelation 2:23

    And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

  • Malachi 3:2-3

    But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

  • Zechariah 13:9

    And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
27:21; Ps 26:2; 66:10; Isa 48:10; Jer 17:10; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:2,3
1Pe 1:7; Re 2:23

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 17:2

    A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

  • Proverbs 17:3

    The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.

  • Proverbs 17:4

    A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
El crisol para la plata, y la hornaza para el oro: mas Jehová prueba los corazones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Le creuset est pour l’argent, et le fourneau pour l’or; mais l’ Éternel éprouve les cœurs.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Der Schmelztiegel für das Silber, und der Ofen für das Gold; aber Prüfer der Herzen ist Jehova.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino, ita corda probat Dominus.