Proverbs 17:3

“The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold, etc.] Refiners of silver have their fining pots, in which they purify the silver from the dross; and goldsmiths have their crucibles to melt and purify their gold, by which assays of the worth and value of it may be made; but the Lord trieth the hearts; there is no vessel, as Gersom observes, in which they can be put and tried by creatures; a man does not know, nor can he thoroughly search and try his own heart, and much less the hearts of others; God only knows and tries them, (<241709>Jeremiah 17:9,10); The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions, render it by way of similitude, “as the fining pot is for silver”, etc. as…”

“God only knows, as He tries (Psa 12:6; Psa 66:10) the heart.”

“Wonderful as is the separation of the pure metal from the dross with which it has mingled, there is something yet more wonderful in the divine discipline which purifies the good that lies hid, like a grain of gold, even in rough and common natures, and frees it from all admixture of evil. Compare Mal 3:2; 1 Peter 1:7. return to 'Top of Page'”

“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).”

“Pro 27:21; Psa 26:2, Psa 66:10; Isa 48:10; Jer 17:10; Zac 13:9; Mal 3:2, Mal 3:3; Pe1 1:7; Rev 2:23 Proverbs 17:4”