Proverbs 25:4 - Exposition

Take away the dross from the silver . Silver was most extensively used by the Hebrews (see 'Dictionary of the Bible,' sub voc .), whether obtained from native mines or imported from foreign countries, and the process of separating the ore from the extraneous matters mixed with it was well known ( Psalms 12:6 ; Ezekiel 22:20 , etc.; see on Proverbs 17:3 ). And there shall come forth a vessel for the finer ( tsaraph ); the goldsmith. The pure silver is ready for the artist s work, who from this material can make a beautiful vessel. Septuagint, "Beat untested silver, and all shall be made entirely pure," where the allusion is to the process of reducing minerals by lamination.