Job 37 · Verse 16

Job 37:16

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Job 37:16, King James Version

Job 37:16 in other translations

BSBDo you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
WEBDo you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
ASVDost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
YLTDost thou know the balancings of a cloud? The wonders of the Perfect in knowledge?
DARBYDost thou know about the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him that is perfect in knowledge?
BBEHave you knowledge of the balancings of the clouds, the wonders of him who has all wisdom?
WebsterDost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

What does Job 37:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. Hebrew, "Hast thou understanding of the balancings," &c., how the clouds are poised in the air, so that their watery gravity does not bring them to the earth? The condensed moisture, descending by gravity, meets a warmer temperature, which dissipates it into vapor (the tendency of which is to ascend) and so counteracts the descending force. perfect in knowledge--God; not here in the sense that Elihu uses it of himself (Job 36:4). dost thou know--how, &c.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds - How are the clouds suspended in the atmosphere? Art thou so well acquainted with the nature of evaporation, and the gravity of the air at different heights, to support different weights of aqueous vapor, so as to keep them floating for a certain portion of time, and then let them down to water the earth; dost thou know these things so as to determine the laws by which they are regulated? Wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge - This is a paraphrase. Mr. Good's translation is much better: - "Wonders, perfections of wisdom!"

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Job 37:14-20

Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, So 4:16. The best of men are much in the dark concerning the glorious perfections of the Divine nature and the Divine government. Those who, through grace, know much of God…

Read the full comment on Job 37:14-20 →

Job 37:16 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הֲ֭תֵדַעHa.te.da'¿ do you knowH3045
עַל\־'al-onH5921
מִפְלְשֵׂי\־mif.le.sei-[the] balancing<s> ofH4657
עָ֑ב'Av[the] cloud[s]H5645
מִ֝פְלְא֗וֹתmif.le.'ot[the] wondrous works ofH4652
תְּמִ֣יםte.Mim[one] complete ofH8549
דֵּעִֽים\׃de.'Imknowledge<s>H1843

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Job 37:16

  • Job 36:4

    For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

  • Proverbs 3:19-20

    The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

  • Jeremiah 10:12-13

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

  • Job 36:29

    Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

  • Isaiah 40:22

    It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

  • Psalms 104:2-3

    Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

  • Job 26:8

    He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

  • Psalms 147:5

    Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

  • Psalms 104:24

    O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the balancings.
26:8; 36:29; Ps 104:2,3; Isa 40:22; Jer 10:13
perfect.
36:4; Ps 104:24; 147:5; Pr 3:19,20; Jer 10:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Job 37:15

    Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

  • Job 37:16

    Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

  • Job 37:17

    How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

Read all of Job 37

Job 37:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		¿Has tú conocido las diferencias de las nubes, las maravillas del Perfecto en sabiduría?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Comprends-tu le balancement des nuages, les œuvres merveilleuses de celui qui est parfait en connaissance, –
German
Elberfelder 1871		Verstehst du dich auf das Schweben der Wolke, auf die Wundertaten des an Wissen Vollkommenen?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Numquid nosti semitas nubium magnas, et perfectas scientias?