Proverbs 26:21

Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person ¹  to kindle strife. ² 

2Sa 20:1; 1Ki 12:2,3,20; Ps 120:4; Pr 10:12; Pr 15:18; Pr 29:22; Pr 30:33

¹ sn Heb “a man of contentions”; NCV, NRSV, NLT “a quarrelsome person.” The expression focuses on the person who is contentious by nature. His quarreling is like piling fuel on a fire that would otherwise go out. This kind of person not only starts strife, but keeps it going.

² tn The Pilpel infinitive construct לְחַרְחַר (lÿkharkhar) from חָרַר (kharar, “to be hot; to be scorched; to burn”) means “to kindle; to cause to flare up.”