Proverbs 26:21

21 As coals are to embers and wood to fire is a quarrelsome person to kindling 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 is one who deceives another, then says, "It was just a joke."
20 If there's no wood, the fire goes out; if nobody gossips, contention stops.
21 As coals are to embers and wood to fire is a quarrelsome person to kindling strife.
22 A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.
23 Like silver slag overlaid on a clay pot are lips that burn [with friendship] over a hating heart.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.