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

Jump to Previous
Argument Breath Burning Charcoal Coal Coals Contentions Contentious Embers Fight Fire Gets Hot Inflame Kindle Kindling Quarrelsome Started Strife Wood
Jump to Next
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














As charcoal to embers
The imagery of "charcoal to embers" evokes a scene of a fire being stoked and sustained. In the Hebrew context, charcoal was a common fuel source, known for its ability to burn steadily and maintain heat. This phrase suggests the idea of something that perpetuates or intensifies an existing condition. Just as charcoal keeps embers glowing, certain behaviors or attitudes can keep conflicts alive. The Hebrew word for charcoal, "pecham," is associated with a slow, enduring burn, symbolizing how a quarrelsome person can keep tensions simmering.

and wood to fire
"Wood to fire" continues the metaphor of fueling a blaze. Wood, in ancient times, was the primary source of fuel for fires, essential for warmth and cooking. The Hebrew word "ets" for wood implies something that is foundational and necessary for sustaining a fire. This phrase highlights how certain actions or words can escalate a situation, much like adding wood to a fire increases its intensity. The historical context of fire as a vital element in daily life underscores the destructive potential of a quarrelsome nature when it fuels discord.

so is a quarrelsome man
The "quarrelsome man" is central to the proverb's warning. The Hebrew term "madon" refers to strife or contention, and it characterizes someone who is argumentative or contentious. In the biblical context, such a person disrupts peace and harmony, much like how fuel disrupts the calm of a dormant fire. The conservative Christian perspective often views this as a caution against behaviors that lead to division within the community or family, emphasizing the value of peace and unity as taught in the New Testament.

for kindling strife
"Kindling strife" completes the metaphor, illustrating the outcome of a quarrelsome disposition. The Hebrew word "medan" for strife indicates a state of conflict or dispute. In the ancient world, kindling was the small, easily ignitable material used to start a fire, symbolizing how minor provocations can lead to larger conflicts. This phrase serves as a warning about the ease with which discord can be ignited and the responsibility individuals have to avoid being the source of such strife. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this aligns with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who advocate for reconciliation and peacemaking as hallmarks of a Christ-like life.

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


Links
Proverbs 26:21 NIV
Proverbs 26:21 NLT
Proverbs 26:21 ESV
Proverbs 26:21 NASB
Proverbs 26:21 KJV

Proverbs 26:21 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 26:21 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 26:21 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 26:21 French Bible
Proverbs 26:21 Catholic Bible

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