Bible/Proverbs/25

Proverbs 25:4

25:3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. is: Heb. there is no searching
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

KJV

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Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;

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

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

25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

What does Proverbs 25:4 mean?

Proverbs 25:4 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include הָגָה (hâgâh), סִיג (çîyg), כֶּסֶף (keçeph). It connects to 6 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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Take
awayהָגָהhâgâh/haw-gaw'/H1898to remove
the
drossסִיגçîyg/seeg/H5509scoria
from
the
silver,כֶּסֶףkeçeph/keh'-sef/H3701silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
and
there
shall
come
forthיָצָאyâtsâʼ/yaw-tsaw'/H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
a
vesselכְּלִיkᵉlîy/kel-ee'/H3627something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
for
the
finer.צָרַףtsâraph/tsaw-raf'/H6884to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)

Commentary on Proverbs 25:4

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 25:4–5
This shows that the vigorous endeavour of a prince to suppress vice, and reform the manners of his people, is the most effectual way to support his government. Observe, 1. What the duty of magistrates is: To take away the wicked, to use their power for the terror of evil works and evil workers, not only to banish those that are vicious and profane from their presence, and forbid them the court, but so to frighten them and restrain them that they may not spread the infection of their wickedness among their subjects. This is called taking away the dross from the silver, which is done by the force of fire. Wicked people are the dross of a nation, the scum of the country, and, as such, to be taken away. If men will not take them away, God will, Ps. cxix. 119 . If the wicked be taken away from before the king, if he abandon them and show his detestation of their wicked courses, it will go far towards the disabling of them to do mischief. The reformation of the court will promote the reformation of the kingdom, Ps. ci. 3 , 8 . 2. What the advantage will be of their doing this duty. (1.) It will be the bettering of the subjects; they shall be made like silver refined, fit to be made vessels of honour. (2.) It will be the settling of the prince. His throne shall be established in this righteousness, for God will bless his government, the people will be pliable to it, and so it will become durable. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince w

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 28:66

And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:

Deuteronomy 28:67

In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

Job 7:13

When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

Lamentations 3:28

He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

Mark 14:33

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Topics

Silver

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 25:4.

Genesis 24:53

And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. jewels: Heb. vessels

Exodus 11:2

Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

Exodus 12:35

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

Exodus 3:22

But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. the Egyptians: or, Egypt

Genesis 42:25

Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

Isaiah 1:25

And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: purely: Heb. according to pureness

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 25:4 say?

Proverbs 25:4 (King James Version) reads: "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer."

Is Proverbs 25:4 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 25:4 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 25:4, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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