Proverbs 26:21

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up 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 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
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