Proverbs 26:21

21 Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire, quarrelsome people kindle strife.

Proverbs 26:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:21

As coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire
As brands, wood half burnt, or dead coals put to live and burning ones, soon take fire and become like them, and fit and proper fuel for them, and add to their heat: so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife;
or "a man of contentions" {k}; who is given to it, is full of it; it is agreeable to his natural temper and disposition; he is in his element when at it; such a man is as fuel to the fire, as a dead coal to a living one, which increases the heat of it; so does he, he kindles and spreads the flame of contention and strife.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Mynwdm vya) "vir contentionum", Montanus, Baynus, Piscator, Gejerus.

Proverbs 26:21 In-Context

19 are those who deceive their neighbor and say, "Hey, I was only joking!"
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossips, conflict calms down.
21 Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire, quarrelsome people kindle strife.
22 The words of gossips are like choice snacks; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Smooth lips and an evil heart are like silver coating on clay.
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