Proverbs 25:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

NIV: Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;

NASB: Take away the impurities from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith;

CSB: Remove impurities from silver, and material will be produced for a silversmith.

NLT: Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

KJV: Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

NKJV: Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

A ruler should depend on upright, honest counselors to make wise decisions which benefit his subjects (Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 20:18; 24:6; 29:14). This section of wise teachings (Proverbs 25:5) stresses the importance of a king carefully selecting his advisors.

"Dross" refers to impurities found in precious metals. Left alone, these compromise the strength and beauty of the material. Dross is removed by heating; whatever does not burn up separates from the melted silver and can be scooped away. Verse 4 presents one half of this lesson, in the form of an analogy. When the silversmith purges impurities, he can make fine and useful containers. The following verse applies this idea to a king purging his inner circle from those who are morally corrupt.

Other Scripture uses this same metaphor. Second Timothy 2:20–21 implies that vessels of honorable use require precious materials; these are refined to remove dross. First Peter 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 3:13–14 use similar analogies. Other verses specifically apply the idea of refining and dross to purging the influence of evil persons (Psalm 119:119; Jeremiah 6:29; Malachi 3:2–3).

Proverbs 25:1–10 contains sage advice regarding kingship, both for the ruler and their subjects. Avoiding arrogance is also mentioned. It's better to be humble, then praised by others, instead of being dismissed for exaggeration. This extends also to disputes and lawsuits. Most disputes are best settled in private, when such is possible.

This chapter includes more statements from Solomon, copied by scribes of King Hezekiah many years later. The first section speaks about the risks of arrogance. The next gives comparisons which teach spiritual lessons. The last segment teaches about relationships, reputation, and self-control.

Chapter 25 begins to relate more wise statements from Solomon. Depending on where they are divided or combined, these amount to around one hundred portions of godly wisdom. These were compiled and added about 250 years after Solomon's reign by men under the direction of King Hezekiah. The phrasing used in verse 1 suggests these were copied from other records into the scrolls associated with the prior proverbs. This collection runs through the end of chapter 29.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.