As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Parallel translations
- KJV The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
- BSB As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
- 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 are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- 1 Kgs 4:29God gave Solomon abundant wisdom and understanding, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
- Ps 103:11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.
- Rom 8:39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from God’s love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Isa 7:11“Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”
- 1 Pet 1:7that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ —
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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
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