Proverbs 26:20

Authorized King James Version

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Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Original Language Analysis

בְּאֶ֣פֶס Where no H657
בְּאֶ֣פֶס Where no
Strong's: H657
Word #: 1 of 8
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
עֵ֭צִים wood H6086
עֵ֭צִים wood
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 2 of 8
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
תִּכְבֶּה goeth out H3518
תִּכְבֶּה goeth out
Strong's: H3518
Word #: 3 of 8
to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)
אֵ֑שׁ is there the fire H784
אֵ֑שׁ is there the fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 4 of 8
fire (literally or figuratively)
וּבְאֵ֥ין H369
וּבְאֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 5 of 8
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
נִ֝רְגָּ֗ן so where there is no talebearer H5372
נִ֝רְגָּ֗ן so where there is no talebearer
Strong's: H5372
Word #: 6 of 8
a slanderer
יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק ceaseth H8367
יִשְׁתֹּ֥ק ceaseth
Strong's: H8367
Word #: 7 of 8
to subside
מָדֽוֹן׃ the strife H4066
מָדֽוֹן׃ the strife
Strong's: H4066
Word #: 8 of 8
a contest or quarrel

Analysis & Commentary

Where no wood is, fire goes out; where there's no talebearer, strife ceases. The Hebrew 'nir gan' (whisperer/talebearer) and 'shahaq' (quiet/cease) creates clear cause-effect. Fire requires fuel; remove wood, fire dies. Strife requires gossip; remove gossip, strife ends. This verse identifies gossip as conflict's fuel. Want to end disputes? Stop gossiping. James 1:26 warns: 'If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.'

Historical Context

Proverbs repeatedly condemns gossip (11:13, 16:28, 18:8, 20:19). Ancient close communities made gossip especially destructive. Leviticus 19:16 commands: 'Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.' Modern social media exponentially amplifies gossip's reach. Ending strife often requires simply stopping gossip rather than complex conflict resolution. Remove fuel, fire dies.

Questions for Reflection