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

PROVERBS 3:20KJV
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Proverbs 3:20 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 3:20 mean?

Proverbs 3:20 says that by God’s knowledge, the deep waters were divided and the clouds release dew. The verse points to God’s wisdom as the reason for the natural order, showing that even the most basic parts of creation depend on His understanding.

In Proverbs 3, a father is teaching his child about the value of wisdom and trust in God. Verse 20 highlights God’s knowledge as the foundation for the world’s workings, using the breaking up of the depths and the giving of dew as examples of how God’s wisdom is seen in nature. This verse fits into a section that encourages the reader to value wisdom because it is the same wisdom God used to create and sustain the world.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 3:20

  • "knowledge" (דַּעַת, daʿat): This word means understanding or insight. The verse credits God’s knowledge as the active force behind the order of creation, not just His power.
  • "depths" (תְּהוֹמוֹת, tehomot): This term often refers to the deep waters or the primeval ocean. Mentioning the depths being "broken up" recalls the creation account, where God separated the waters to form the earth.
  • "broken up" (בָּקַע, baqaʿ): This word means to split or divide. It emphasizes that God’s wisdom is what caused the chaotic waters to be ordered, not random chance.
  • "clouds" (שְׁחָקִים, shechaqim): This word refers to the skies or clouds, highlighting God’s control over the weather and the cycles that sustain life.
  • "dew" (טַל, tal): Dew was important in the ancient world for watering crops, especially in dry climates. The verse points out that even this gentle, everyday provision comes from God’s wisdom.

Why Proverbs 3:20 matters

  • Proverbs 3:20 reminds the reader that wisdom is not just a human trait but is rooted in the very way God made and maintains the world.
  • The verse helps clear up the idea that creation is only about God’s power; it also involves His deep understanding and careful planning.
  • By connecting wisdom to the natural world, Proverbs 3:20 encourages the reader to seek wisdom as something valuable and trustworthy, just as reliable as the cycles of nature.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H7491 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 36:28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
  • Psalms 65:11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
  • Psalms 65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

“clouds” Hebrew H7834 · used in 21 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
  • Job 38:37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
  • Psalms 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

“dew” Hebrew H2919 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

“depths” Hebrew H8415 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Job 41:32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
  • Psalms 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: