Devine Scripture

Proverbs 3:20

What does Proverbs 3:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 3:20 means

Continuing to describe God's creative power through wisdom, this verse states that by His 'knowledge' (an aspect of wisdom), the deep springs were broken open, and the skies release their life-giving dew. This illustrates God's ongoing activity in sustaining the natural world through His comprehensive understanding, controlling fundamental elements like subterranean waters and atmospheric moisture. It underscores wisdom's pervasive influence in both the initial creation and ongoing maintenance of the world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

By His knowledge depths have been rent, And clouds do drop dew.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the clouds grow thick with dew.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

By his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

Context

This verse continues the theme from verse 19, further illustrating God's creative and sustaining power through wisdom by referencing specific natural phenomena. It reinforces the idea that all of creation operates according to divine knowledge and order. This cosmic perspective serves to magnify the importance of wisdom, reminding the reader that the wisdom they are called to embrace is rooted in the very fabric of reality established by God.

v.19Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.

v.20This passage

v.21My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joel 2:23

    Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month.

  • Genesis 1:9

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

  • Psalms 104:8

    (The mountains rose, the valleys sank down) Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them.

  • Job 38:8

    Orwho shut up the sea with doors, When it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb;

  • Genesis 27:28

    And God give thee of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and new wine:

  • Jeremiah 14:22

    Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Jehovah our God? therefore we will wait for thee; for thou hast made all these things.

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