Proverbs 17:3
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A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Note, 1. The hearts of the children of men are subject, not only to God's view, but to his judgment: As the fining-pot is for silver, both to prove it and to improve it so the Lord tries the hearts; he searches whether they are standard or no, and those that are he refines and makes purer, Jer 17:10. God tries the heart by affliction (Psa 66:10, Psa 66:11), and often chooses his people in that furnace (Isa 48:10) and makes them choice. 2. It is God only that tries the hearts. Men may try their silver and gold with the fining-pot and the furnace, but they have no such way of trying one another's hearts; God only does that, who is both the searcher and the sovereign of the heart.
Open source ↗17:3 The Lord’s refining fire (see Ps 66:10; Jer 9:7; Mal 3:2-3) separates what is precious from the impurities in a person’s heart (cp. Prov 16:2; 21:2; 27:21).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
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.
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
This third I will bring through the fire;I will refine them like silverand 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.’”