Proverbs 26:20

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

בְּאֶ֣פֶס עֵ֭צִים תִּכְבֶּה־אֵ֑שׁ וּבְאֵ֥ין נִ֝רְגָּ֗ן יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק מָדֽוֹן׃

Transliteration

In-efes etzim tikhbeh-esh, and-in-absence-of nirgan yishtoq madon.

Grammar Details

*be*: preposition - in
*efes*: noun, masculine, singular - ceasing/end of
*etzim*: noun, masculine, plural - wood/trees
*tikhbeh*: verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person feminine singular - goes out
*esh*: noun, feminine, singular - fire
*uve'ein*: conjunction with preposition and construct particle - and in absence of
*nirgan*: verb, Niphal participle, masculine singular - whisperer/talebearer
*yishtoq*: verb, Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - ceases
*madon*: noun, masculine, singular - strife/contention

Word Meanings

*efes*: ceasing/end/no more
*etzim*: wood/timber/trees
*tikhbeh*: goes out/is extinguished
*esh*: fire
*ein*: there is not/absence of
*nirgan*: whisperer/talebearer/gossip
*yishtoq*: ceases/quiets down/is stilled
*madon*: strife/contention/quarreling

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 16:28 : 28 A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Prov 22:10 : 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.
Jas 3:6 : 6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members {G3779} is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
Prov 26:22 : 22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 26:21-23
3 verses
85%
21[ As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Prov 26:17-19
3 verses
75%
17He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
Prov 16:27-28
2 verses
72%
27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Prov 11:12-14
3 verses
72%
12He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
14Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Prov 17:14
72%
14The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
Prov 22:10
71%
10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.
Prov 18:8
71%
8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
Prov 20:19
71%
19He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.
Prov 15:18
70%
18A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Prov 20:3
69%
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
Prov 17:1
68%
1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
Prov 6:19
67%
19A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
Prov 10:18-19
2 verses
67%
18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
Job 22:20
67%
20[ Saying], Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed.
Prov 25:23-24
2 verses
66%
23The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
Prov 25:18
66%
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Prov 6:27
66%
27Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
Prov 17:20
66%
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Prov 3:30
66%
30Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm.
Prov 29:22
66%
22An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression.
Prov 25:8-9
2 verses
65%
8Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor [himself], And disclose not the secret of another;
Ps 15:3
65%
3He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor;
Jas 3:5
65%
5None So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
Prov 29:9
65%
9If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
Prov 13:10
65%
10By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.
Isa 9:18
65%
18For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns; yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
Eccl 10:11
65%
11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
Prov 21:23
65%
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Ps 35:20
65%
20For they speak not peace; But they devise deceitful words against them that are quiet in the land.
Prov 15:1
65%
1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
Eccl 10:9
65%
9Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
Prov 18:6
65%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
Jas 3:16
64%
16For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
Job 41:21
64%
21His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth.
Isa 1:31
64%
31And the strong shall be as tow, and his work as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Exod 22:6
64%
6If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.