Proverbs 3:20

Broken up. Literally, “cleft,” or “divided.” Some have thought that this might refer to the separation of the waters under the heavens from the waters above the heavens (Gen. 1:6-8), so that the dew could distill from above. Others see in the words a reference to the bursting forth from the earth of the great rivers. Divine wisdom was required to devise and execute a system that watered the earth without rain and erosion and also served to equalize the temperature over the whole of the globe (see on Gen. 1:6).

This system was completely changed at the Flood, so that the rain replaced the heavy dew, the rivers became drains, and the equalizing influence of the water below the firmament and above the firmament was lost. Yet the earth remained habitable over a large part of its area. These facts are a further demonstration of the wisdom and foreknowledge of the Creator.