The Meaning of Proverbs 25:4 Explained

Proverbs 25:4

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

YLT: Take away dross from silver, And a vessel for the refiner goeth forth,

Darby: Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

ASV: Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Proverbs 25:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:1-14 - Words Fitly Spoken
This collection of proverbs was made. 250years after the time of Solomon by the scribes of King Hezekiah. The glory of God is too great to be disclosed to the vulgar eye of mere curiosity, but it will be unfolded to royal souls that seek for it as for hid treasure"¦. The great rulers of the world must have their secret counsels, but they should be freed from evil counselors, as gold from dross"¦. Compare Proverbs 25:6 and Proverbs 25:7 with Luke 14:8-10"¦. Second thoughts are best; sleep over your plan or letter; be deliberate in planning and prompt in acting on the plan when formed"¦. Don't reveal to another a cause of offense that should be adjusted between yourself and your neighbor, Matthew 18:15"¦. A word happily adapted to a circumstance is like an apple of gold, that is, an orange, in a basket of silver filigree-work."¦ As drink cooled with snow refreshes the thirsty reaper, so is a messenger who faithfully executes his errand to the master who sent him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:4 mean?

Take away the dross from silver and it will go to the silversmith [for] jewelry
הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי

הָג֣וֹ  Take  away 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: הָגָה  
Sense: (Qal) to remove, drive out.
סִיגִ֣ים  the  dross 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: סוּג 
Sense: a moving back or away.
מִכָּ֑סֶף  from  silver 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וַיֵּצֵ֖א  and  it  will  go 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
לַצֹּרֵ֣ף  to  the  silversmith 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: צָרַף  
Sense: to smelt, refine, test.
כֶּֽלִי  [for]  jewelry 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כְּלִי  
Sense: article, vessel, implement, utensil.