Proverbs 26:21
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
Leeser Tanakh
In The King James Version
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
In Context
20Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
22The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
Cross References
2 Samuel 20:1And there happened to be a worthless man, whose name was Sheba', the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the cornet, and said, We have no part in David, nor have we any inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel!
1 Kings 12:20And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jerobo'am was returned, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, save the tribe of Judah alone.
Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love throweth a cover over all transgressions.
Proverbs 29:22A man of anger stirreth up strife; and a man of fury aboundeth in transgression.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:21-23
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions… Read the whole commentary →