17:3

This verse is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the LORD (17:3b) is compared to a crucible and a furnace (17:3a).

3a A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold,

3b but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible (quoted above), use the word “but” to indicate a contrast between the two lines. Other versions translate the comparison without an implied contrast. For example:

Gold and silver are tested by fire, and a person’s heart is tested by the Lord. (Good News Translation)
-or-
The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the Lord tests hearts. (NET Bible)

Translate the relationship between the two lines in a way that clearly expresses the meaning of the comparison.

17:3a–b

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts: A crucible is a container used for melting metals so that the impurities can be removed. A furnace is like a large oven where a fire is made to melt metals. It has the same function as a crucible.

silver and gold are melted in a crucible or furnace to test their purity or to refine/purify them. Similarly, the LORD tests or examines a person’s “heart” or mind/thoughts to find out whether they are pure. (For “heart,” see the note on 10:20b.)

A crucible and a furnace can be used for either testing or refining. Since 17:3b specifies that the LORD is the tester of the heart, the main point of similarity is probably testing.

Some languages may not have terms for crucible or furnace. Some other ways to translate these terms are:

• Combine the two terms into one general term, such as “fire.” For example:

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold (New Living Translation (2004))

• If it is not clear how fire would test these metals, you may need to add some implied information. For example:

⌊People melt⌋ silver or gold in a very hot fire in order to see whether they are pure.

In some languages, a literal translation of this metaphor may be hard to understand. Some other ways to translate it are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

Just as the purity of silver and gold is tested by fire, so also a person’s thoughts are tested by the LORD.

• Reorder the lines so that the topic of the simile comes first. For example:

The LORD is the one who tests people’s hearts/minds, just like fire is used to test silver or gold.

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