3:20

This verse describes how the LORD provided water from sources that were under and above the earth’s surface. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

20a By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open,

20b and the clouds dripped with dew.

3:20a

By His knowledge: Here knowledge is equivalent to “wisdom” and “understanding” in the previous verse. No distinction is intended. The phrase His knowledge does not refer here to specific information that the LORD knows. In some languages, it may be more natural to leave this phrase implied. For example:

He also caused springs and rivers to flow out.

the watery depths were broken open: This clause refers to when the LORD split open channels in the rock so that springs and rivers could flow from the seas under the earth’s surface. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the springs of the deep burst forth (Revised English Bible)
-or-
His wisdom caused the rivers to flow (Good News Translation)

3:20b

and the clouds dripped with dew: Several scholars say that “rain” was probably included along with dew. For example:

His wisdom caused…the clouds to give rain to the earth. (Good News Translation)

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