Proverbs 26:18 (BSB)

Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,

From Proverbs 26. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 26:18

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 26:18-19: See here, 1. How mischievous those are that make no scruple of deceiving their neighbours; they are as madmen that cast firebrands, arrows, and death, so much hurt may they do by their deceits. They value themselves upon it as polite cunning men, but really they are as madmen. There is not a greater madness in the world than a wilful sin.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on 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...
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 26:18-19: Pro 26:18-19 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).