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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 17:3 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/17-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/20_Pro_17_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 17:3 - Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts." /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm" title="Proverbs 17:2">◄</a> Proverbs 17:3 <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm" title="Proverbs 17:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The fining pot <i>is</i> for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The refining pot <i>is</i> for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But Yahweh tests hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the LORD is the tester of hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the LORD is the tester of hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Silver and gold are tested by flames of fire; our thoughts are tested by the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts [by fire]is the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Gold and silver are tested by fire, and a person's heart is tested by the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold— but the LORD assays hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the LORD tests hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, "" And the trier of hearts [is] YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A refining pot is for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts is Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold: and Jehovah tries hearts.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the LORD tries the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A refining pot proves silver, and the furnace gold, and LORD JEHOVAH tests the heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth the hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/17-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3314" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/17.htm">Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4715.htm" title="4715: maṣ·rêp̄ (N-ms) -- A crucible. From tsaraph; a crucible.">A crucible</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: lak·ke·sep̄ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">for silver</a> <a href="/hebrew/3564.htm" title="3564: wə·ḵūr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Smelting pot or furnace. From an unused root meaning properly, to dig through; a pot or furnace.">and a furnace</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: laz·zā·hāḇ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">for gold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">but the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/974.htm" title="974: ū·ḇō·ḥên (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To examine, try. A primitive root; to test; generally and figuratively, to investigate.">is the tester</a> <a href="/hebrew/3826.htm" title="3826: lib·bō·wṯ (N-mp) -- Heart. Feminine of leb; the heart.">of hearts.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a></span><br />I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Psalm 66:10</a></span><br />For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-9.htm">Zechariah 13:9</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Malachi 3:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-10.htm">Isaiah 48:10</a></span><br />See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-10.htm">Job 23:10</a></span><br />Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-13.htm">1 Corinthians 3:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-12.htm">James 1:12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-18.htm">Revelation 3:18</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/26-2.htm">Psalm 26:2</a></span><br />Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-4.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Hebrews 12:5-11</a></span><br />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? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">2 Corinthians 4:17</a></span><br />For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Proverbs 27:21</a></b></br> <i>As</i> the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so <i>is</i> a man to his praise.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/26-2.htm">Psalm 26:2</a></b></br> Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Psalm 66:10</a></b></br> For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/12-6.htm">Crucible</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Fining</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Fining-Pot</a> <a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Furnace</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-23.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Heating-Pot</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Oven-Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/108-9.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Refining</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Tester</a> <a href="/psalms/11-5.htm">Tests</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-13.htm">Trier</a> <a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Tries</a> <a href="/psalms/11-5.htm">Trieth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Crucible</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Fining</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Fining-Pot</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Furnace</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Heating-Pot</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Oven-Fire</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Refining</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Tester</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Tests</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-27.htm">Trier</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Tries</a> <a href="/daniel/1-14.htm">Trieth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/17.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>A crucible for silver</b><br />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.<p><b>and a furnace for gold</b><br />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.<p><b>but the LORD is the tester of hearts</b><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">The fining pot is for silver.--</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm" title="If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;">Proverbs 2:4</a>.<p><span class= "bld">The Lord trieth the hearts.</span>--By allowing sorrows and temptations to assail them, in order that they may come out of the trial as pure gold (<a href="/revelation/3-18.htm" title="I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.">Revelation 3:18</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm" title="That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:">1Peter 1:7</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/3-13.htm" title="Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.">1Corinthians 3:13</a>; <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm" title="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 to the LORD an offering in righteousness.">Malachi 3:3</a>), purged of earthly infirmities. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold.</span> The word <span class="accented">matsreph</span>, "fining pot," occurs also in <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Proverbs 27:21</a>. 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 <a href="/1_chronicles/22-14.htm">1 Chronicles 22:14</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/29-2.htm">1 Chronicles 29:2</a>, etc., from which and similar passages it is inferred that the sums enumerated equalled more than nine hundred millions of pounds sterling). <span class="cmt_word">But the Lord trieth the hearts</span> (<a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11</a>; <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Proverbs 24:12</a>). 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. <a href="/jeremiah/12-3.htm">Jeremiah 12:3</a>; <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/3-18.htm">Revelation 3:18</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/17-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A crucible</span><br /><span class="heb">מַצְרֵ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(maṣ·rêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4715.htm">Strong's 4715: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crucible</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for silver</span><br /><span class="heb">לַ֭כֶּסֶף</span> <span class="translit">(lak·ke·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a furnace</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכ֣וּר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3564.htm">Strong's 3564: </a> </span><span class="str2">Smelting pot or furnace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for gold,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַזָּהָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(laz·zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the tester</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבֹחֵ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇō·ḥên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_974.htm">Strong's 974: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to investigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of hearts.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבּ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3826.htm">Strong's 3826: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/17-3.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 17:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>