Proverbs 30:4
New International Version
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!

New Living Translation
Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know!

English Standard Version
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

Berean Standard Bible
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

King James Bible
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

New King James Version
Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?

New American Standard Bible
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His Son’s name? Surely you know!

NASB 1995
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!

NASB 1977
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!

Legacy Standard Bible
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name? And what is His Son’s name? Surely you know!

Amplified Bible
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name? Certainly you know!

Christian Standard Bible
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son — if you know?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— if you know?

American Standard Version
Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

Contemporary English Version
Has anyone gone up to heaven and come back down? Has anyone grabbed hold of the wind? Has anyone wrapped up the sea or marked out boundaries for the earth? If you know of any who have done such things, then tell me their names and their children's names.

English Revised Version
Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in his garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palm of his hand? Who has wrapped water in a garment? Who has set up the earth from one end to the other? What is his name or the name of his son? Certainly, you must know!

Good News Translation
Have any ever mastered heavenly knowledge? Have any ever caught the wind in their hands? Or wrapped up water in a piece of cloth? Or fixed the boundaries of the earth? Who are they, if you know? Who are their children?

International Standard Version
Who has ascended to heaven, and then descended? Who has collected the wind in his hands? Who has wrapped up waters in a garment? Who has established all the farthest points of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know!

Majority Standard Bible
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

NET Bible
Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name?--if you know!

New Heart English Bible
Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established every part of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?

Webster's Bible Translation
Who hath ascended into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

World English Bible
Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you know?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who went up to the heavens, and comes down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound waters in a garment? Who established all ends of the earth? What [is] His Name? And what [is] His Son’s Name? Surely you know!

Young's Literal Translation
Who went up to heaven, and cometh down? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound waters in a garment? Who established all ends of the earth? What is His name? and what His son's name? Surely thou knowest!

Smith's Literal Translation
Who went up to the heavens, and came down? who gathered the wind in his fists? who bound the waters in a garment? who set up all the ends of the earth? what his name and what his son's name, if thou shalt know?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who hath held the wind in his hands? who hath bound up the waters together as in a garment? who hath raised up all the borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the name of his son, if thou knowest?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Who has ascended to heaven and also descended? Who has grasped the wind in his hands? Who has tied the waters together, as with a garment? Who has raised all the limits of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son, if you know?

New American Bible
Who has gone up to heaven and come down again— who has cupped the wind in the hollow of the hand? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak— who has established all the ends of the earth? What is that person’s name, or the name of his son?”

New Revised Standard Version
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is the person’s name? And what is the name of the person’s child? Surely you know!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Tell me, Who has ascended up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a handkerchief? Who has established all the borders of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He said to me: "Who went up to Heaven and came down, and who is holding the wind in his palms? Who has bound the waters in a napkin and who has established all the ends of the Earth? What is his Name, and what is his Son's Name, if you know?"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Who has gone up to heaven, and come down? who has gathered the winds in his bosom? who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? who has dominion of all the ends of the earth? what is his name? or what is the name of his children?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Words of Agur
3I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— surely you know! 5Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.…

Cross References
John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Job 38:4-5
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?

Psalm 104:2-3
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, / laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind.

Isaiah 40:12
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?

John 8:23
Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Ephesians 4:9-10
What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? / He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

Job 26:8-10
He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight. / He covers the face of the full moon, spreading over it His cloud. / He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Psalm 68:33-34
to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds. / Ascribe the power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose strength is in the skies.

Romans 10:6-7
But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) / or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

Hebrews 1:2-3
But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Isaiah 45:8
Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Colossians 1:16-17
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Job 11:7-9
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Psalm 89:6-7
For who in the skies can compare with the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD? / In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?

who hath ascended

Deuteronomy 30:12
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Romans 10:6
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

who hath gathered

Job 38:4
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Psalm 104:2
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Isaiah 40:2
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

what is his name

Genesis 32:29
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

Judges 13:18
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

Psalm 2:7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

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Ascended Bound Cloak Descended Earth Ends Established Fists Garment Gathered Hands Heaven Hollow Son's Surely Waters Wind Wrapped
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Ascended Bound Cloak Descended Earth Ends Established Fists Garment Gathered Hands Heaven Hollow Son's Surely Waters Wind Wrapped
Proverbs 30
1. Agur's confession of his faith
7. The two points of his prayer
10. The meanest are not to be wronged
11. Four wicked generations
15. Four things insatiable
24. four things exceeding wise
29. Four things stately
32. Wrath is to be prevented














Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
This phrase invites us to ponder the divine nature and authority of God. The Hebrew word for "ascended" (עָלָה, 'alah) suggests a movement upward, often associated with divine beings or actions. The rhetorical question emphasizes the uniqueness of God, who alone has the power to transcend the heavens and earth. This imagery foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who, according to John 3:13, is the one who descended from heaven and ascended back, affirming His divine origin and authority.

Who has gathered the wind in His hands?
The imagery of gathering the wind (רוּחַ, ruach) in one's hands speaks to God's sovereign control over creation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the wind was often seen as a powerful and uncontrollable force. Yet, this verse portrays God as having mastery over even the most untamable elements of nature. This reflects the biblical theme of God's omnipotence, as seen in Job 38:24, where God questions Job about the paths of the wind, highlighting His unparalleled wisdom and power.

Who has bound up the waters in His cloak?
Binding the waters (מַיִם, mayim) in His cloak signifies God's authority over the chaotic and life-giving forces of water. In the ancient world, water was both a source of life and a symbol of chaos. The act of binding it in a cloak (בֶּגֶד, beged) suggests containment and control, reminiscent of God's separation of the waters in Genesis 1:6-7. This demonstrates His ability to bring order out of chaos, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, underscoring His role as Creator and Sustainer.

Who has established all the ends of the earth?
The establishment of the earth's ends (אֶרֶץ, eretz) points to God's foundational work in creation. The Hebrew word for "established" (קוּם, qum) implies setting something firmly in place. This phrase acknowledges God's role as the architect of the universe, who has laid the earth's foundations with precision and purpose. It echoes the creation narrative in Genesis and is a testament to His eternal sovereignty and meticulous design.

What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know?
This climactic question challenges the reader to recognize the identity of God and His Son. The inquiry about God's name (שֵׁם, shem) and His Son's name suggests a deeper revelation of God's nature and His redemptive plan. In a conservative Christian perspective, this is seen as a prophetic hint of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose name (Yeshua) means "The Lord saves." The verse invites believers to reflect on the mystery of the Trinity and the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son, a relationship that is central to the Christian faith.

(4) Who hath ascended up into heaven . . .--The reason of Agur's sadness is here declared. He feels himself far off from possessing anything that may be called knowledge of God or of His works. (Comp. Galatians 4:9; 1Corinthians 13:12.) The questions in this verse are intended to bring out the nothingness of man as compared with the might of the Creator of the Universe; they resemble Job 38-41, and Isaiah 40:12 sqq.

Who hath bound the waters in a garment?--Stretching out the clouds as a "curtain" (Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 40:22), to keep the rain from falling upon the earth. (Comp. Job 26:8.) . . .

Verse 4. - The questions contained in this verse are such as compelled Agur to acknowledge his ignorance and nothingness before the thought of the glory and power of the great Creator. We may compare Job 38, etc. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who is he that hath his seat in heaven, and doeth works on earth? Who is he whose universal providence is felt and experienced? Where is this mysterious Being who hides himself from human ken? Christ has said something like this, "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven" (John 3:13); and St. Paul (Ephesians 4:9). In biblical language God is said to come down from heaven in order to punish, to aid, to reveal his will, etc. (Genesis 11:7; Psalm 18:9, etc.); and he returns to heaven when this intervention is finished (Genesis 17:22; Genesis 35:13). Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath the control of the viewless wind, so as to restrain it or release it at his pleasure? (Psalm 135:7; Amos 4:13). Septuagint, "Who hath gathered the winds in his bosom (κόλῳ)?" Who hath bound the waters in a garment? The waters are the clouds which cover the vault of heaven, and are held, as it were, in a garment, so that, in spite of the weight which they contain, they fall not upon the earth. As Job says (Job 26:8), "He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them." And again (Job 38:37), "Who can number the clouds by wisdom? or who can pour out the bottles of heaven?" So the psalmist, "Thou coveredst it [the earth] with the deep as with a vesture" (Psalm 104:6). (See above, Proverbs 8:27, etc.) Who hath established all the ends of the earth? Who hath consolidated the foundations, and defined the limits, of the remotest regions of the earth? (comp. Job 38:4, etc.). The answer to these four questions is "Almighty God." He alone can order and control the forces of nature. What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? or, if thou knowest. It is not enough to acknowledge the power and operation and providence of this mysterious Being; Agur longs to know more of his nature, his essence. He must have personality; he is not an abstraction, a force, a quality; he is a Person. What, then, is his name, the name which expresses what he is in himself? Men have different appellations for this Supreme Being, according as they regard one or other of his attributes: is there one name that comprehends all, which gives an adequate account of the incomprehensible Creator? The question cannot be answered affirmatively in this life. "We know that if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is" (1 John 3:2). The further question, "What is his son's name?" has given some difficulty. The LXX. has, "What is the name of his children (τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτοῦ)?" as if there was reference to Israel, the special children of God. But the original does not bear out this interpretation, which is also opposed to the idea of the enigma proposed. The inquiry might mean - Are we to apply to the Supreme Being the same notion of natural relationship with which we are familiar in the human family? But this seems a low and unworthy conception. Or the "son" might be primeval man (Job 15:7) or the sage; but the answer would not be satisfactory, and would not tend to solve the great question. There are two replies which can be made to Agur's interrogation. Looking to the marvellous description of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:22, etc., we may consider Wisdom to be a denotation of the Son of God, and the inquirer desires to know the name and nature of this personage, of whose existence he was certified. Or he may have arrived at a knowledge of the only begotten Son of God, as the idea of the Logos is more or less developed in the Book of Wisdom, in Philo's treatises, and in the Alexandrian school; and longs for more perfect knowledge. This, indeed, is hidden: "He hath name written, which no one knoweth but he himself" (Revelation 19:12). It is useless to put such question to a fellow man; no human mind can fathom the nature of the Godhead, or trace out its operations (Ecclus. 18:4, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Who
מִ֤י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has ascended
עָלָֽה־ (‘ā·lāh-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to heaven
שָׁמַ֨יִם ׀ (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and come down?
וַיֵּרַ֡ד (way·yê·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

Who
מִ֤י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has gathered
אָֽסַף־ (’ā·sap̄-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

the wind
ר֨וּחַ ׀ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

in His hands?
בְּחָפְנָ֡יו (bə·ḥā·p̄ə·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2651: The hollow of the hand

Who
מִ֤י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has bound up
צָֽרַר־ (ṣā·rar-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6887: To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped

the waters
מַ֨יִם ׀ (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

in His cloak?
בַּשִּׂמְלָ֗ה (baś·śim·lāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle

Who
מִ֭י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has established
הֵקִ֣ים (hê·qîm)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the ends
אַפְסֵי־ (’ap̄·sê-)
Adverb
Strong's 657: Cessation, an end, no further, the ankle, foot

of the earth?
אָ֑רֶץ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is His name,
שְּׁמ֥וֹ (šə·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

and what
וּמַֽה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is the name
שֶּׁם־ (šem-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of His Son?
בְּ֝נ֗וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

surely
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you know!
תֵדָֽע׃ (ṯê·ḏā‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven (Prov. Pro Pr)
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