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.