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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:2-3

Here is, 1. An instance given of the honour of God: It is his glory to conceal a matter. He needs not search into any thing, for he perfectly knows every thing by a clear and certain view, and nothing can be hidden from him; and yet his own way is in the sea and his path in the great waters. There is an unfathomable depth in his counsels, Rom. 11:33. It is but a little portion that is heard of him. Clouds and darkness are round about him. We see what he does, but we know not the reasons. Some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:3

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth ,.... These are eminent for what are ascribed to them; nothing is higher than the heavens, nor anything deeper than the earth; the height of the heavens cannot be reached, and the centre of the earth cannot easily be got unto; the heavens above cannot be measured, and the foundation of the earth cannot be searched beneath; at least not by common persons, whatever may be done in their way by astronomers and geometricians. And thus, as the heavens... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:3

The heaven for height - The simple meaning of this is, the reasons of state, in reference to many acts of the executive government, can no more be fathomed by the common people, than the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:2-5

Kings: their attributes and duties I. CONTRAST BETWEEN DIVINE AND HUMAN GOVERNMENT . Divine government is a mystery in its principles and its ends. Partial revelation only is given of its method in the Scriptures and in the actual course of the world. Actual relations are one thing, their secret spring another. The former may be known, the latter is veiled from our scrutiny. On the contrary, human government should be founded on principles intelligible to all and commendable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:3

This proverb is connected with the preceding by the idea of "searching" ( chakar ) common to both. Such emblematic proverbs are common in this second collection (see Proverbs 25:11 ). Three subjects are stated, of which is predicated the term unsearchable, viz. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings. As you can never rise to the illimitable height of the heavens, as you can never penetrate to the immeasurable depth of the earth, so you can never fathom... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:3

Proverbs 25:3. The heaven for height, &c. As no man upon earth can exactly discover the height of heaven, or the depth of earth, or discern what is contained in them; so, the heart of kings is unsearchable Though wise kings will search out other men and things, yet their inward thoughts and purposes are hardly to be discovered, not only because every man’s heart lies out of the sight of others, but because it is the practice of kings industriously to conceal their intentions. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:1-28

25:1-29:27 MORE PROVERBS OF SOLOMONRelations with others (25:1-28)God has no obligation to explain to anyone the reasons for his actions. A king, however, has a duty to his people to investigate the causes of events that affect them, though he need not reveal to them his deepest thoughts (25:1-3). Some advisers to the king may be ungodly or treacherous, and should be removed if the king is to rule righteously (4-5). It is better to wait to be invited to a higher rank than to be boastfully... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 25:3

Proverbs 25:3. The heaven for height— "It is almost as impossible for the generality of minds to penetrate into the secrets of state, and understand the counsels and designs of intelligent princes, and the various ways and means whereby they consult to effect their ends, as it is to know how far it is from hence to the highest heavens; or how far to the centre of the earth upon which we tread." See Lord Bacon's Advanc. of Learn. book 8: chap. 2. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 25:3

3. Ye wisely keeping state secrets, which to common men are as inaccessible heights and depths. read more

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