Lexical Summary hagah: take away, expelled Original Word: הָגָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stay, stay away A primitive root; to remove -- stay, stay away. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to remove NASB Translation expelled (1), take away (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. הָגָה verb remove (Thes compare יגה) — Qal Perfect הָגָה Isaiah 27:8 (Di reads הָגָהּ); Infinitive absolute הָגוֺ Proverbs 25:4,5; — הָגוֺ סִיגִים מִכָּ֑סֶף Proverbs 25:4 remove (literally a removing) dross from silver; as simile of following הָגוֺ רָשָׁע לִפְנֵי מֶלֶךְ Proverbs 25:5 remove (the) wicked before a king; הָגָה בְּרוּחוֺ הַקָּשָׁה Isaiah 27:8, according to Di (see above) he (׳י) hath removed her (i.e. sent into exile; his people under figure of faithless wife) by his harsh wind; so translates also Ew Che (he scared her away) Brd RV VB; De follows ᵑ0, regards as elliptical relative clause, and renders by participle, 'sichtend (i.e. sifting, winnowing) heftigen Hauches,' but conjectures הָגֹה (Infinitive absolute) Topical Lexicon Linguistic Scope and Core Idea הָגָה (Strong’s Hebrew 1898) portrays decisive removal—driving something or someone out of a sphere where it ought not remain. It appears only three times, yet each setting joins the same concept of forcible separation with moral or covenantal purification. Usage in Wisdom Literature (Proverbs 25:4–5) Solomon pairs two analogies to illustrate how removal produces usefulness and stability. Proverbs 25:4: “Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth”. The verb depicts the smelter skimming away slag until pure, workable metal appears. The action is not cosmetic but transformative; only after the dross is “driven out” does the silver’s potential emerge. Proverbs 25:5: “Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness”. Court politics mirror the foundry: corrupt counselors are the moral dross clogging the administration. When injustice is expelled, the throne gains permanence because righteousness and justice are the foundation of sound governance (compare Psalm 89:14). Together, the couplet teaches that purity precedes productivity—whether shaping precious metal or shaping a nation. Usage in Prophetic Literature (Isaiah 27:8) Isaiah employs the verb in a national context: “By warfare and exile you contended with her, and He removed her with His fierce wind as on the day of the east wind”. The removal here is disciplinary. Israel’s covenant Lord expels His people from their land (the “east wind” evokes the scorching desert blast) to burn away idolatry, yet the very act anticipates restoration (Isaiah 27:9). Divine removal is therefore corrective, not destructive; it upholds holiness while preserving a remnant. Historical Backdrop 1. Metallurgy was common in Israel by the monarchy. Smelting imagery resonated with artisans and laypeople alike. Theological Threads • Purity: Whether metal, monarchy, or nation, the text insists that true worth emerges only after corruption is expelled. Ministry Implications • Personal sanctification: Believers cooperate with the Spirit’s refining work (1 Peter 1:6–7), allowing Him to “drive out” attitudes and habits that dull Christlike radiance. Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies the flawless silver Proverbs envisions. At the cross He “suffered outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:12), experiencing ultimate removal so that His people might be purified. His forthcoming reign guarantees the righteous throne Proverbs foretells, when all wickedness will be finally expelled (Revelation 22:15). Practical Exhortation Invite the Refiner’s fire. Submit to Scripture, prayer, and godly accountability. As the dross leaves, usefulness for the Master increases. The kingdom still requires vessels fit for honorable service (2 Timothy 2:20–21). Forms and Transliterations הָג֣וֹ הָגָ֛ה הגה הגו hā·ḡāh hā·ḡōw haGah hāḡāh haGo hāḡōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 25:4 HEB: הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף NAS: Take away the dross from the silver, KJV: Take away the dross from the silver, INT: Take the dross the silver Proverbs 25:5 Isaiah 27:8 3 Occurrences |
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