Proverbs 17:3

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

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

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מַצְרֵף לַכֶּסֶף וְכוּר לַזָּהָב וּבֹחֵן לִבּוֹת יְהוָה

Transliteration

maṣrēp for keśep wə-kûr for zāhāb û-bōchēn libbôt YHWH

Grammar Details

*maṣrēp*: noun, masculine singular - refining pot/crucible
*la-keśep*: preposition + definite article + noun - for the silver
*wə-kûr*: conjunction + noun, masculine singular - and furnace
*la-zāhāb*: preposition + definite article + noun - for the gold
*û-bōchēn*: conjunction + participle, Qal - and tester/examiner
*libbôt*: noun, masculine plural construct - hearts of
*YHWH*: proper noun - divine name

Word Meanings

*maṣrēp*: crucible/refining pot/smelter
*keśep*: silver/money
*kûr*: furnace/melting pot
*zāhāb*: gold
*bōchēn*: tester/examiner/one who tries
*libbôt*: hearts/minds/inner being

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Ps 26:2 : 2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.
Prov 27:21 : 21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise.
Jer 17:10 : 10 I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
1 Pet 1:7 : 7 that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
1 Chr 29:17 : 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, that are present here, offer willingly unto thee.
Rev 2:23 : 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
Zech 13:9 : 9 And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.
Mal 3:2-3 : 2 But who can abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap: 3 and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.
Isa 48:10 : 10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not as silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Ps 66:10 : 10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 27:21
80%
21The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise.
Prov 25:3-4
2 verses
80%
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
Jer 17:9-10
2 verses
77%
9The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?
10I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Mal 3:3
77%
3and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.
Ps 17:3
76%
3Thou hast proved my heart; Thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Ps 66:10
76%
10For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Ps 12:6
76%
6The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.
Ps 26:2
76%
2Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.
Job 23:10
74%
10But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Isa 48:10
73%
10Behold, I have refined thee, but not as silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Job 28:1-2
2 verses
73%
1Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place for gold which they refine.
2Iron is taken out of the earth, And copper is molten out of the stone.
Ps 7:9
73%
9O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous: For the righteous God trieth the minds and hearts.
Prov 26:23
73%
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Jer 6:29-30
2 verses
72%
29The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed of the fire: in vain do they go on refining; for the wicked are not plucked away.
30Refuse silver shall men call them, because Jehovah hath rejected them.
1 Pet 1:7
72%
7that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
Jer 9:7
72%
7Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how [else] should I do, because of the daughter of my people?
Ps 11:4-5
2 verses
72%
4Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Prov 15:11
72%
11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Ezek 22:22
72%
22As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, have poured out my wrath upon you.
Prov 16:1
72%
1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
Prov 21:1-2
2 verses
71%
1The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: {H4325} He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
Ps 139:23
71%
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;
Prov 3:11-12
2 verses
71%
11My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:
12For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Ezek 22:18
71%
18Son of man, the house of Israel is become dross unto me: all of them are brass and tin and iron and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are the dross of silver.
Prov 10:20
71%
20The tongue of the righteous is [as] choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.
Jas 1:3
70%
3Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.
Jer 12:3
70%
3But thou, O Jehovah, knowest me; thou seest me, and triest my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
Prov 19:3
70%
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
Job 34:3
70%
3For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
Prov 16:9
70%
9A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
Isa 1:25
70%
25and I will turn my hand upon thee, and thoroughly purge away thy dross, and will take away all thy tin;
Ps 44:21
70%
21Will not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Prov 17:4
70%
4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Prov 15:3
70%
3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
Job 27:17
70%
17He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, And the innocent shall divide the silver.
Job 5:17
69%
17Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
Prov 17:20
69%
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Prov 17:2
69%
2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
Ps 33:15
69%
15He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their works.
Deut 8:5
69%
5And thou shalt consider in thy heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee.
Prov 19:21
69%
21There are many devices in a man's heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
Heb 12:6
69%
6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.