A crucible for silver
In ancient metallurgy, a crucible was a container used to melt and purify metals. The process involved intense heat to separate impurities from the desired metal. This imagery is used throughout the Bible to describe purification and testing (e.g., Malachi 3:3). The crucible's purpose is to refine, symbolizing how trials and challenges can purify a person's character.

and a furnace for gold
Similar to the crucible, a furnace was used to refine gold, requiring even higher temperatures due to gold's melting point. The furnace represents a more intense form of testing and purification. In biblical terms, gold often symbolizes purity and value (Revelation 3:18). The refining process is a metaphor for spiritual growth and maturity, as seen in Job 23:10, where Job speaks of coming forth as gold after being tested.

but a man is tested by the praise accorded him
This phrase shifts the focus from physical refinement to the testing of a person's character through praise. Praise can reveal a person's true nature, as it may lead to pride or humility. The Bible warns against the dangers of pride (Proverbs 16:18) and emphasizes the importance of humility (Philippians 2:3-4). Jesus exemplified humility, despite receiving praise and adoration (Philippians 2:5-8). The way a person responds to praise can indicate their spiritual maturity and reliance on God rather than self.

1. Crucible and Furnace
These are tools used in metallurgy to refine metals by exposing them to high temperatures. In this context, they symbolize the process of testing and refining character.

2. Silver and Gold
Precious metals that require purification to remove impurities. They represent valuable qualities in a person that need to be refined.

3. A Man
Refers to any individual whose character and integrity are tested by how they handle praise and recognition.The Nature of Testing
Just as metals are tested for purity, individuals are tested by how they respond to praise. This reveals the true nature of their character.

Handling Praise with Humility
Praise can inflate pride if not handled with humility. Believers should seek to deflect praise to God, recognizing Him as the source of all good.

The Danger of Pride
Praise can lead to pride, which is a sin that God opposes. Christians should be vigilant in maintaining a humble heart.

Refinement through Praise
Just as trials refine faith, praise can refine character by revealing areas of pride or insecurity that need to be addressed.

Seeking God's Approval
Ultimately, the approval that matters most is God's. Believers should focus on pleasing Him rather than seeking human praise.(21) So is a man to his praise--i.e., as the fining-pot and furnace test the metals put into them, so does that on which a man prides or boasts himself. Observe what this is--e.g., wealth, or show, or popularity, or duty--and you will see what sort of a man he is. Or it may mean, praise--i.e., popularity, is as great a trial to a man as the fining-pot to silver; he must be of good metal if he comes unhurt out of this. Or, again, it may signify, let a man test his praise--i.e., examine by whom and for what he is praised, and be sure it is genuine and well deserved

Verse 21. - Fining pot, etc. (see on Proverbs 17:3; comp. also Proverbs 25:4). So is a man to his praise. The Hebrew is literally, The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man according, to his praise; i.e. as the processes of metallurgy test the precious metals, so a man's public reputation shows what he is really worth, as is stated in Proverbs 12:8. As the crucible brings all impurities to the surface, so public opinion drags forth all that is bad in a man, and he who stands this test is generally esteemed. Certainly praise is a stimulus to exertion, an incentive to try to make one's self worthy of the estimation in which one is held, especially if he purifies it from the dross and earthliness mixed with it, and takes to himself only what is genuine and just. But public opinion is very commonly false end is always a very unsafe criterion of moral excellence. Hence other interpretations have been proposed. Ewald renders, "and a man according to his boasting," that is, according to that which he most praises in himself and others. So virtually Hitzig, Bottcher, Zockler, and others. In this view the gnome denotes that a man's real character is best examined by the light cast upon it by his usual line of thought, what he most prides himself upon, what he admires most in other men. Plumptre, after Gesenius and Fleischer, has, "So let a man be to his praise," i.e. to the mouth which praises him; let him test this commendation, to see what it is worth, before he accepts it as his due. The explanation first given seems on the whole most suitable, when we reflect that the highest morality is not always enunciated, and that secondary motives are widely recognized as factors in action and judgment. There are not wanting men in modern days who uphold the maxim, Vox populi, vox Dei. Septuagint, "The action of fire is a test for silver and gold, so a man is tested by the mouth of them that praise him." No surer test of a man's true character can be found than his behaviour under praise; many men arc spoiled by it. If a man comes forth from it without injury, not rendered vain, or blind to his defects, or disdainful of others, his disposition is good, and the commendation lavished upon him may be morally and spiritually beneficial. Vulgate, Sic probatur homo ore laudantis, "So is a man proved by the mouth of him that praises him." The following passage from St. Gregory, commenting on this, is worth quoting, "Praise of one's self tortures the just, but elates the wicked. But while it tortures, it purifies the just; and while it pleases the wicked, it proves them to be reprobate. For these revel in their own praise, because they seek not the glory of their Maker. But they who seek the glory of their Maker are tortured with their own praise, lest that which is spoken of without should not exist within them; lest, if that which is said really exists, it should be made void in the sight of God by these very honours; lest the praise of men should soften the firmness of their heart, and should lay it low in self-satisfaction; and lest that which ought to aid them to increase their exertions, should be even now the recompense of their labour. But when they see that their own praises tend to the glory of God, they even long for and welcome them. For it is written, "That they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" ('Moral.,' 26:62, Oxford transl.). The LXX. adds a verse which is not found in the Hebrew, but occurs in some manuscripts of the Latin Version, "The heart of the transgressor seeketh out evils, but an upright heart seeketh knowledge."

Parallel Commentaries ...


A crucible
מַצְרֵ֣ף (maṣ·rêp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4715: A crucible

for silver
לַ֭כֶּסֶף (lak·ke·sep̄)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and a furnace
וְכ֣וּר (wə·ḵūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3564: Smelting pot or furnace

for gold,
לַזָּהָ֑ב (laz·zā·hāḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

but a man [is tested]
וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

by the praise
מַהֲלָלֽוֹ׃ (ma·hă·lā·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4110: Praise

accorded him.
לְפִ֣י (lə·p̄î)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:21 The crucible is for silver and (Prov. Pro Pr)