Proverbs Chapter 26 verse 18 Holy Bible
As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
read chapter 26 in ASV
As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,
read chapter 26 in BBE
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
read chapter 26 in DARBY
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
read chapter 26 in KJV
read chapter 26 in WBT
Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
read chapter 26 in WEB
As `one' pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
read chapter 26 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 18, 19 - A tetrastich, but without parallelisms. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death. The word rendered "madman" is an ἅπαξ λεγόμενον, and has been variously explained; but the Authorized Version is probably correct. "Firebrands" are darts with some blazing material attached to them. "Death "forms a climax with the other dangers mentioned, which the madman deals forth recklessly and indiscriminately. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? When a man has injured his neighbour by lies or malice, the plea that he was only in joke is not allowed; the injury is not less real because he excuses it by alleging it was done not seriously, but playfully; no more than the fatal effects of the use of murderous weapons are lessened by their being employed by the hands of a maniac. Practical joking is often a most serious matter. A mediaeval adage says wisely - "Cum jocus est verus, jocus est malus atque severus," Septuagint, "Even as those who are under medical treatment (ἱώμενοι) throw words at men, and he who first meets the word will be overthrown; so are all they that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are seen, say, I did it in jest." As insane persons who abuse and ill treat their physicians are excused by reason of their infirmity, so those who injure friends in secret try to excuse themselves when found out by alleging that they were only joking.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) Firebrands.--Arrows to which some blazing material was attached, in order that they might set on fire whatever they touched.