Proverbs 17:3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

◄ Proverbs 17:3 ►

New International Version
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

New Living Translation
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

English Standard Version
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.

Berean Standard Bible
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

King James Bible
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

New King James Version
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.

New American Standard Bible
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

NASB 1995
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

NASB 1977
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

Legacy Standard Bible
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But Yahweh tests hearts.

Amplified Bible
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.

Christian Standard Bible
A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the LORD is the tester of hearts.

American Standard Version
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.

Contemporary English Version
Silver and gold are tested by flames of fire; our thoughts are tested by the LORD.

English Revised Version
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts [by fire]is the LORD.

Good News Translation
Gold and silver are tested by fire, and a person's heart is tested by the LORD.

International Standard Version
The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold— but the LORD assays hearts.

Majority Standard Bible
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

NET Bible
The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the LORD tests hearts.

New Heart English Bible
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.

Webster's Bible Translation
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

World English Bible
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, "" And the trier of hearts [is] YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
A refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts is Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold: and Jehovah tries hearts.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.

New American Bible
The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the LORD tries the heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A refining pot proves silver, and the furnace gold, and LORD JEHOVAH tests the heart.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth the hearts.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
…2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. 3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts. 4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Psalm 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Malachi 3:3
And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Psalm 26:2
Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

1 Thessalonians 2:4
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Hebrews 12:5-11
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ...

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

Treasury of Scripture

The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts.

Proverbs 27:21
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Psalm 66:10
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

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Proverbs 17

1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked

Berean Study Bible

A crucible for silver
The term "crucible" refers to a container used for melting and purifying metals. In ancient times, a crucible was essential for refining silver, removing impurities to achieve a pure and valuable metal. This imagery is significant in the biblical context, as it symbolizes the process of purification and refinement. The Hebrew word for "crucible" is "מַצְרֵף" (matsref), which conveys the idea of testing and proving. Just as silver is tested and refined in a crucible, so are individuals tested in their character and faith.

and a furnace for gold
Similar to the crucible, a furnace is used for refining gold. The intense heat of the furnace purifies the gold, removing dross and imperfections. The Hebrew word for "furnace" is "כּוּר" (kur), which also implies a process of testing and purification. In the biblical narrative, gold often represents purity, value, and divine wisdom. The furnace metaphor emphasizes the necessity of trials and challenges in the believer's life to refine and strengthen their faith, much like gold is refined to increase its worth.

but the LORD is the tester of hearts
This phrase shifts the focus from physical purification to spiritual and moral examination. The Hebrew word for "tester" is "בֹּחֵן" (bochen), meaning to examine, scrutinize, or prove. The LORD, Yahweh, is depicted as the ultimate judge and examiner of human hearts, which in Hebrew thought represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. Unlike the external processes of refining silver and gold, God's testing is internal, discerning the true nature and intentions of individuals. This divine examination is not for God's benefit, as He is omniscient, but for the individual's growth and sanctification. It serves as a reminder that while humans may focus on outward appearances, God looks at the heart, seeking sincerity, faithfulness, and righteousness. This verse encourages believers to embrace God's refining process, trusting that it leads to spiritual maturity and alignment with His will.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) The fining pot is for silver.--See above on Proverbs 2:4.

The Lord trieth the hearts.--By allowing sorrows and temptations to assail them, in order that they may come out of the trial as pure gold (Revelation 3:18; 1Peter 1:7; 1Corinthians 3:13; Malachi 3:3), purged of earthly infirmities. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold. The word matsreph, "fining pot," occurs also in Proverbs 27:21. It is not certain what is meant by it. There is no evidence that the Israelites were acquainted with the use of acids in the manipulation of impure or mixed metals; otherwise the "pot" and the "furnace" would represent the two usual modes of reduction; but it is most probable that both allude to the same method of smelting the ore in crucibles, for the purpose of separating the pure metal from the dross. That silver and gold were plentiful in Solomon's time is abundantly evident; indeed, the amount of the precious metals collected by David and his son is almost incredible (see 1 Chronicles 22:14; 1 Chronicles 29:2, etc., from which and similar passages it is inferred that the sums enumerated equalled more than nine hundred millions of pounds sterling). But the Lord trieth the hearts (Proverbs 15:11; Proverbs 24:12). That which fire does for the metals, the Lord does for men's hearts; he purifies them from dross, brings forth the good that is in them, purged from earthly infirmities. God's process is the application of sorrow, sickness, temptation, that, duly meeting these, the soul may emerge from the trial as pure gold, fit for the Master's use (comp. Jeremiah 12:3; Malachi 3:2; 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 3:18).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

A crucible
מַצְרֵ֣ף (maṣ·rêp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4715: A crucible

for silver
לַ֭כֶּסֶף (lak·ke·sep̄)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and a furnace
וְכ֣וּר (wə·ḵūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3564: Smelting pot or furnace

for gold,
לַזָּהָ֑ב (laz·zā·hāḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

but the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is the tester
וּבֹחֵ֖ן (ū·ḇō·ḥên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 974: To test, to investigate

of hearts.
לִבּ֣וֹת (lib·bō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3826: The heart

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver (Prov. Pro Pr)