Proverbs 26:21
New International Version
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

New Living Translation
A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

English Standard Version
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Berean Standard Bible
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

King James Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

New King James Version
As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

New American Standard Bible
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious person to kindle strife.

NASB 1995
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

NASB 1977
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Amplified Bible
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Christian Standard Bible
As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

American Standard Version
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

Contemporary English Version
Troublemakers start trouble, just as sparks and fuel start a fire.

English Revised Version
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[As] charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.

Good News Translation
Charcoal keeps the embers glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive.

International Standard Version
Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.

Majority Standard Bible
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

NET Bible
Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.

New Heart English Bible
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

Webster's Bible Translation
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

World English Bible
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, "" And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

Young's Literal Translation
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

Smith's Literal Translation
As charcoal to burning coals and woods to fire, and a man of strifes to kindle strife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Just as charcoals are to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so also is an angry man who stirs up quarrels.

New American Bible
Charcoal for coals, wood for fire— such are the quarrelsome, enkindling strife.

New Revised Standard Version
As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a malicious person to kindle strife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A gridiron for coals and wood for fire, and a malicious man provokes dispute.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
20Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. 21Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.…

Cross References
James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3:8
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 1:29-31
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?

Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.

Proverbs 16:27
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 17:14
To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

Proverbs 22:10
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.


Treasury of Scripture

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

innermost parts or chambers

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Argument Breath Burning Charcoal Coal Coals Contentions Contentious Embers Fight Fire Gets Hot Inflame Kindle Kindling Quarrelsome Started Strife Wood
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Argument Breath Burning Charcoal Coal Coals Contentions Contentious Embers Fight Fire Gets Hot Inflame Kindle Kindling Quarrelsome Started Strife Wood
Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














Like charcoal for embers
Charcoal, a substance that burns slowly and steadily, is used here as a metaphor for something that sustains a fire. In biblical times, charcoal was a common fuel source, known for its ability to maintain heat over a long period. This imagery suggests a continuous and deliberate action, much like how a quarrelsome person perpetuates conflict. The use of charcoal implies a calculated and intentional effort to keep discord alive, rather than allowing it to die out naturally.

and wood for fire
Wood, when added to a fire, intensifies the flames and increases the heat. This phrase highlights the role of external elements in escalating a situation. In the context of relationships and community, introducing a quarrelsome person is akin to adding wood to a fire, causing disputes to flare up and become more intense. This imagery is consistent with other biblical teachings that warn against the dangers of stirring up anger and conflict, such as in James 3:5-6, which compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a great forest ablaze.

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife
A quarrelsome man is likened to the elements that fuel a fire, emphasizing his role in initiating and sustaining conflict. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, community harmony was vital, and a person who incited strife was seen as a threat to social stability. This proverb serves as a warning against associating with individuals who are prone to argument and discord. The New Testament echoes this sentiment in passages like Titus 3:10, which advises believers to avoid divisive people after warning them. The imagery of kindling strife suggests that just as a fire needs fuel to continue burning, conflict requires a provocateur to persist.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Charcoal and Embers
These are materials used to sustain and intensify a fire. In the context of this proverb, they symbolize elements that fuel conflict.

2. Wood and Fire
Wood is a natural fuel for fire, representing how certain actions or words can ignite or escalate disputes.

3. Quarrelsome Man
This refers to an individual who is prone to arguments and disputes, serving as a catalyst for strife and discord.

4. Strife
A state of conflict or discord, often resulting from disagreements or contentious behavior.

5. Proverbs
A book in the Old Testament, attributed to King Solomon, known for its wisdom literature that provides practical guidance for righteous living.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Just as charcoal and wood fuel a fire, our words can either escalate or de-escalate conflicts. We must be mindful of how we speak to others.

Avoiding Quarrels
Being quarrelsome is not just a personality trait but a choice. We should strive to be peacemakers, reflecting Christ's love and unity.

Recognizing Catalysts for Strife
Identify behaviors or situations that tend to lead to conflict and work to address them proactively.

Pursuing Peace
As believers, we are called to pursue peace and harmony, seeking to resolve conflicts rather than ignite them.

Self-Reflection
Regularly examine your own heart and actions to ensure you are not contributing to strife in your relationships.Verse 21. - As coals are to burning coals. As black, cold charcoal feeds glowing charcoal, as wood feeds a lighted fire, so a quarrelsome man (Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 27:15) supports and nourishes strife. The verse is the counterpart of the preceding. Septuagint, "A hearth for coal and logs for fire, and a reviling man for tumult of strife."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Like charcoal
פֶּחָ֣ם (pe·ḥām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6352: A coal

for embers
לְ֭גֶחָלִים (lə·ḡe·ḥā·lîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1513: An ember

and wood
וְעֵצִ֣ים (wə·‘ê·ṣîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

for fire,
לְאֵ֑שׁ (lə·’êš)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

so is a quarrelsome
מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים (miḏ·yā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4066: A contest, quarrel

man
וְאִ֥ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

for kindling
לְחַרְחַר־ (lə·ḥar·ḥar-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2787: To be hot or scorched, to burn

strife.
רִֽיב׃ (rîḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to hot embers (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:20
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