The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Parallel translations
- WEB As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are 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 55:9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- 1 Kgs 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
- Ps 103:11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
- Rom 8:39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Isa 7:11Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
- 1 Pet 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing 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.