Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the eish goeth out; 1 so where there is no nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer), the strife dieth down. 1
Orthodox Jewish Bible
In The King James Version
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
In Context
19So is the ish that deceiveth his re'a, 1 and saith, Am I not just having a laugh? 1
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to eish; 1 so is a contentious ish to kindle strife. 1
Cross References
Proverbs 16:28A perverse ish soweth madon (strife, dissension), 1 and a whisperer separateth close friends. 1
Proverbs 26:22The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) are like tasty morsels, 1 and they go down into the innermost chambers of the beten. 1
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:19-20
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? See here, 1. How mischievous those are that make no scruple of deceiving their neighbours; they are as madmen that cast firebrands, arrows, and death, so much hurt may they do by their deceits. They value themselves upon it as polite cunning men, but really they are as madmen. There is not a greater madness in the world than a wilful sin. It is not only the passionate furious man,… Read the whole commentary →