As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
Parallel translations
- WEB As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
- 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.
- NASB As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
- NLT No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Like the unreachable heights of heaven and depths of the earth, a king's heart is hard to fathom. Those in authority hold thoughts others cannot fully read.
Overview
The proverb observes the inscrutability of a ruler's mind, counseling caution and respect before those who hold power. It may caution courtiers not to presume on the king's intentions. While human kings remain partly hidden, God alone truly searches every heart (1 Sam 16:7; Jer 17:10), the one before whom nothing is concealed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Isa 55:9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
- 1 Kgs 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- Ps 103:11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
- Rom 8:39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Isa 7:11“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.”
- 1 Pet 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 25:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.