Proverbs 26:18

“As a mad [man], who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death.] Or the instruments of death, as Aben Ezra; or the sharp arrows of death, as the Targum and Syriac version; who casts firebrands into the houses and barns of his neighbours, to consume them; or arrows at their persons and cattle, to destroy them; or any other instruments of death, which none but a mad man, or one wickedly mad, would do. Or, “as one that makes himself mad”f727; that feigns himself mad, and, under colour of this, does mischief to his neighbour’s person and property: or, “as one that hides himself”f728; that casts firebrands, arrows, and other deadly things, in a private way, so as not to be seen, and that it may not be…”

“Such are reckless of results.”

“The teacher cuts off the plea which people make when they have hurt their neighbor by lies, that they “did not mean mischief,” that they were “only in fun.” Such jesting is like that of the madman flinging firebrands or arrows. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And death - Any instruments of death. Proverbs 26:23”

“26:18-19 Lies are extremely dangerous because they lead people to act on false information. Liars cannot cover up later by claiming that they were only joking (see 6:16-19; 14:5, 25; 25:18).”

“firebrands: Heb. flames, or sparks arrows: Pro 7:23, Pro 25:18; Gen 49:23 Proverbs 26:19”

“These verses form a tetrastich: 18 As a man who casteth brands, And arrows, and death; 19 So is the man who deceiveth his neighbour, And saith: I only make sport. The old translations of מתלהלה are very diverse. Aquila has rendered it by κακοηθιζόμενος; Symmachus: πειρώμενοι; the Syr.: the vainglorious; the Targ.: מתּחת (from נחת), a successor (spiritually); Jerome: noxius (injurious; for which Luther: secret). There is thus no traditional translation. Kimchi explains the word by השׁתגע (Venet. ἐξεστώς); Aben Ezra by השׁתטה (from שׂטה), to behave thoughtlessly, foolishly; but both erroneously, confounding with it ותּלהּ, Gen 47:13, which is formed from להה and not from לההּ, and is…”