What does Proverbs 25:4 mean? (2024)

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What does Proverbs 25:4 mean? ›

A ruler should depend on upright, honest counselors to make wise decisions which benefit his subjects (Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 20:18; 24:6; 29:14). This section of wise teachings (Proverbs 25:5) stresses the importance of a king carefully selecting his advisors.

Solomon advises tact and discretion when dealing with others; he recommends kindness instead of revenge as the best way to react to insults. Other lessons mention the importance of self-control and a consistent lifestyle (Proverbs 25:15–28).

The picture here is that there are many things in this world that we do not understand now, or have failed to understand in the past. God knows all these things. He has, as it were, concealed them from us for a purpose. Kings should know what is going on. They need to grasp things so they can make sound decisions.

Dross [N] the impurities of silver separated from the one in the process of melting ( Proverbs 25:4 ; 26:23 ; Psalms 119:119 ). It is also used to denote the base metal itself, probably before it is smelted, in Isaiah 1:22 Isaiah 1:25 .

Proverbs 18:21 states that “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 12:18-19 says that “the tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.” And James 3:5-6 explains that “the tongue is a fire, a world of evil.

Read Proverbs 25

We desire what is good, and we desire what is right. Give us words fitly spoken, like apples of gold in settings of silver. We pray to know Lord, how to give water and food to those that see us as enemies. We desire to rule over our own spirit, with self-control.

Proverbs teaches us how to gain wisdom from God's reproofs so that, in the power of the Spirit, we will obey.

In both the Old and New Testaments, we find numerous references to God refining His children through fiery trials in much the same way an earthly refiner uses fire to purify gold and silver. The Lord says, “I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”

After the silver is mined, it has to be refined. When heat is applied, all the impurities embedded in the silver float to the top where it is skimmed off. These impurities, called dross, must be removed for the silver to be used properly.

Silver to be as stones in Jerusalem (1 Kings 10:27) typified great abundance (compare Job 3:15; 22:25; 27:16; also Isaiah 60:17; Zechariah 9:3). The trying of men's hearts was compared to the refining of silver (Psalms 66:10; Isaiah 48:10). Yahweh's words were as pure as silver refined seven times (Psalms 12:6).

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But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption.

Begin by speaking the syllables that come to you. For when you open your mouth, you give voice to the Holy Spirit who helps you by making intercession for you (Rom. 8:26). Don't be disheartened if it differs from the tongues of other believers or sounds monosyllabic at first.

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. God was faithful to preserve the proverbs of King Solomon through the work of righteous Hezekiah, a king who came many years after him during the divided kingdom.

The exact Hebrew phrase used here implies something deceptive, secretive, or slanderous. Cutting others down with gossip and criticism damages one's own reputation. These verbal sins, referred to as slander, backbiting, gossip, and so forth, are condemned in many Scriptures.

Proverbs 17:16 says, "Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom, when he has no sense." It doesn't do a fool any good to be at a market that sells wisdom, because though he has money, he has no intention of buying or using wisdom. He will not change his ways.

It's better to be humble, then praised by others, instead of being dismissed for exaggeration. This extends also to disputes and lawsuits. Most disputes are best settled in private, when such is possible.