English Standard Version
Proverbs 3:20
20by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Proverbs 3:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
- New International Version (NIV)by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
- New King James Version (NKJV)By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.
- New Living Translation (NLT)By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
Context of Proverbs 3:20
18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. 19The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. 21My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
Read all of Proverbs 3Proverbs 3:20 word by word
בְּ֭דַעְתּוֹ תְּהוֹמ֣וֹת נִבְקָ֑עוּ וּ֝שְׁחָקִ֗ים יִרְעֲפוּ־טָֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 3:20
- Genesis 1:9And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.
- Genesis 7:11In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.
- Job 38:8"Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb,
- Psalms 104:8The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.
- Genesis 27:28May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine.
- Deuteronomy 33:28So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew.
- Job 36:27For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain,
- Job 38:26to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,
- Psalms 65:9You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.
- Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.
- Joel 2:23"Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.
Commentaries on Proverbs 3:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20By his knowledge the depths are broken up - He determined in his wisdom how to break up the fountains of the great deep, so as to bring a flood of waters upon the earth; and by his knowledge those fissures in the earth through which springs of water arise have been appointed and determined; and it is by his skill and influence that vapours are exhaled, suspended in the atmosphere, and afterwards precipitated on the earth in rain, dews, etc. Thus the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Compare Genesis 1:7; Genesis 7:11; Job 38. Looking upon the face of Nature, men see two storehouses of the living water, without which it would be waste and barren. From the “depths” rush forth the surging waves, from the “clouds” falls the gentle rain or “dew;” but both alike are ordered by the Divine Wisdom.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-20Verses 13-20 No precious jewels or earthly treasures are worthy to be compared with true wisdom, whether the concerns of time or eternity be considered. We must make wisdom our business; we must venture all in it, and be willing to part with all for it. This Wisdom is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation, sought and obtained by faith and prayer. Were it not for unbelief, remaining sinfulness, and carelessness, we should find all our ways pleasantness…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-20God's wisdom brought harmony to the universe. Being wise means living according to the principles found in creation.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2019-20. The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 3:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries