Proverbs 25:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

NIV: As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

NASB: As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

CSB: As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

NLT: No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

KJV: The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

NKJV: As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

This verse compares three things to explain why the decisions of kings and other rulers may not be understood by others. The overall point is that the thought process of those in power is difficult to assess. Subjects, citizens, employees, or others who don't have access to the same information may not understand why certain decisions are made. This is not to suggest that rulers should be blindly trusted merely because their mindset is obscure (Acts 5:29). Rather, the teaching is that those in higher authority tend to be more self-contained in their thoughts; their thought process is naturally less transparent.

The first comparison is to the height of "the heavens," using a Hebrew word with multiple meanings. "Heavens" can refer to the visible sky, the region beyond the sky, or to the dwelling place of God. Here, it's probably a reference to the visible sky, as the second comparison is to the depth of solid ground. Modern science suggests the "height" of the universe beyond earth stretches for billions of light-years. That's almost certainly not what Solomon had in mind. Despite myths of popular culture, scholars from the ancient world held some understanding that the planet was spherical, even attempting to calculate its size. In both cases, Solomon is not referring to some exact number, but rather to the obviously profound size of those two distances.

Comparisons of the king's heart to these enormous heights are hyperbole: deliberate exaggeration for effect. Because of that technique, the meaning is made clear. A king, ruler, or other person in authority typically has knowledge unavailable to others. As with all proverbs, this is a general case statement, not an absolute rule. Even kings can be ignorant, uninformed, or oblivious. The following verses note how important it is for those leaders to seek good counsel (Proverbs 25:4–5). In most cases, however, those in authority have access to information which subjects, citizens, and employees typically cannot see.

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.