Proverbs 25 · Verse 3

Proverbs 25:3

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Proverbs 25:3, King James Version

Proverbs 25:3 in other translations

BSBAs the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
WEBAs the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
ASVAs the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
YLTThe heavens for height, and the earth for depth, And the heart of kings-- are unsearchable.
DARBYThe heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
BBEThe heaven is high and the earth is deep, and the hearts of kings may not be searched out.
WebsterThe heaven for hight, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

What does Proverbs 25:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 The 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 25:1-3

God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness.

Read the full comment on Proverbs 25:1-3 →

Proverbs 25:3 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.

שָׁמַ֣יִםsha.Ma.yimheavenH8064
לָ֭רוּםLa.rumfor <the> heightH7312
וָאָ֣רֶץva.'A.retzand earthH776
לָעֹ֑מֶקla.'O.mekfor <the> depthH6011
וְלֵ֥בve.Levand [the] heart ofH3820
מְ֝לָכִ֗יםme.la.KhimkingsH4428
אֵ֣ין'einthere notH369
חֵֽקֶר\׃Che.ker[is] inquiryH2714

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

Cross references for Proverbs 25:3

  • Psalms 103:11

    For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

  • 1 Kings 4:29

    And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • Romans 8:39

    Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Isaiah 7:11

    Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
heaven.
Ps 103:11; Isa 7:11; 55:9; Ro 8:39
is unsearchable. Heb. there is no searching.
1Ki 4:29; 1Pe 1:7

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

Context

  • Proverbs 25:2

    It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

  • Proverbs 25:3

    The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

  • Proverbs 25:4

    Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

Read all of Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Para la altura de los cielos, y para la profundidad de la tierra, y para el corazón de los reyes, no hay investigación.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Les cieux en hauteur, et la terre en profondeur, et le cœur des rois, on ne peut les sonder.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Himmel an Höhe, und die Erde an Tiefe, und das Herz der Könige sind unerforschlich.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.