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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Proverbs 26:21 - 26:21
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21 Black coal to burning coal, and wood to fire;
And a contentious man to stir up strife.
The Venet. translates פֶּחָם by καρβών, and גַּחֶלֶת by ἄνθραξ; the former (from פָּחַם, Arab. faḥuma, to be deep black) is coal in itself; the latter (from גָּחַל, jaham, to set on fire, and intrans. to burn), coal in a glowing state (e.g., Pro 25:22; Eze 1:13). Black coal is suited to glowing coal, to nourish it; and wood to the fire, to sustain it; and a contentious man is suited for and serves this purpose, to kindle up strife. חָרַר signifies to be hot, and the Pilpel חִרְחֵר, to heat, i.e., to make hot or hotter. The three - coal, wood, and the contentious man - are alike, in that they are a means to an end.