Proverbs 3:20

By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

By his knowledge {H1847} the depths {H8415} are broken up {H1234}, and the clouds {H7834} drop down {H7491} the dew {H2919}.

by his knowledge the deep [springs] burst open and the dew condenses from the sky.

By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.

By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:20 beautifully illustrates God's active wisdom and knowledge in the natural world, emphasizing His sovereign control over creation and its ongoing sustenance. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of divine wisdom as the foundational principle for the universe's operation.

Context

This verse concludes a section (Proverbs 3:13-20) that extols the supreme value and benefits of wisdom. Wisdom is personified as a life-giving source, more precious than any earthly treasure. The preceding verse, Proverbs 3:19, explicitly states, "The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens." Proverbs 3:20 then continues this thought, attributing specific natural phenomena—the breaking open of the depths and the dropping of dew from clouds—directly to God's knowledge, reinforcing His role as the intelligent designer and sustainer of all things.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wisdom in Creation: The verse highlights that God's knowledge is not merely theoretical but is the active force behind the physical world. It emphasizes divine wisdom as the blueprint for the universe and its processes.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nature: From the mighty subterranean waters ("depths") to the gentle, life-giving dew from the clouds, God is depicted as being in complete control of all natural elements. This showcases His omnipotent role as Creator and Sustainer.
  • Sustenance and Provision: The breaking of the depths (perhaps referring to springs or underground water sources) and the dew from the clouds are essential for life and agriculture. This implicitly speaks to God's ongoing provision for His creation, ensuring its flourishing.

Linguistic Insights

  • "By his knowledge" (בְּדַעְתּוֹ - beda'to): This refers directly back to the Lord's knowledge mentioned in the previous verse. It underscores that creation and its ongoing functions are not random but are products of divine intellect and purpose.
  • "The depths are broken up" (תְּהוֹמוֹת נִבְקָעוּ - tehomot nivka'u): The Hebrew word tehomot refers to deep waters, often the abyss or subterranean springs. The verb nivka'u means "to be split open" or "to gush forth." This imagery evokes powerful natural phenomena, perhaps recalling the original separation of waters at creation (Genesis 1:6) or the breaking open of the "fountains of the great deep" during Noah's flood (Genesis 7:11). It signifies God's control over vast water sources.
  • "And the clouds drop down the dew": This contrasts the powerful "depths" with the gentle, yet equally vital, "dew." Dew is a crucial source of moisture in arid regions, representing God's delicate and consistent provision for vegetation and life.

Practical Application

Proverbs 3:20 encourages us to look at the natural world with awe and reverence, recognizing God's incredible wisdom and power at work. It calls us to:

  • Trust in God's Provision: Just as God meticulously sustains the earth through its natural cycles, we can trust in His unwavering provision and care for our lives. It encourages believers to trust in His providence and provision for all needs, just as He sustains the natural world.
  • Seek God's Wisdom: If God's knowledge is the foundation of the universe, how much more should we strive to gain His wisdom for navigating our own lives and understanding His purposes.
  • Acknowledge His Sovereignty: This verse reminds us that nothing in creation is outside of God's control. This can bring comfort and peace, knowing that the same wisdom that orders the cosmos also orchestrates our circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 7:11

    ¶ In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

  • Genesis 1:9

    ¶ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.

  • Job 38:26

    To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;

  • Job 38:28

    Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

  • Psalms 65:9

    Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

  • Psalms 65:12

    They drop [upon] the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

  • Job 38:8

    Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb?

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