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Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/20_Pro_21_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 21:19 - The King's Heart" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It&#8217;s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and irritating woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land, Than with a contentious and vexing woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and troublesome woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's better out in the desert than at home with a nagging, complaining wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />Better to live in a desert than with a quarreling and angry woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better to dwell in a wilderness land, "" Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than with a woman of contentions and anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Good to dwell in the land of the desert rather than with a woman of contentions and anger.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is better to live in a deserted land, than with a quarrelsome and emotional woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome wife and trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome and an angry wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Better to stay in the land of the wilderness than to dwell with a contentious and angry woman.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4284" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">18</span>The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: &#7789;&#333;&#183;w&#7687; (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">Better</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: &#353;e&#183;&#7687;e&#7791; (V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">to live</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: b&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#183;re&#7779;- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: mi&#7695;&#183;b&#257;r (N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4066.htm" title="4066: m&#601;&#183;&#7695;&#333;&#183;n&#299;m (N-mp) -- Strife, contention. From diyn; a contest or quarrel.">than with a contentious</a> <a href="/hebrew/3708.htm" title="3708: w&#257;&#183;&#7733;&#257;&#183;&#8216;as (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Vexation, anger. Or kaoas; from ka'ac; vexation.">and ill-tempered</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: m&#234;&#183;&#8217;&#234;&#183;&#353;e&#7791; (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife.</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13</a></span><br />A foolish son is his father&#8217;s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Proverbs 27:15</a></span><br />A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike&#8212;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a></span><br />And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Proverbs 25:24</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4</a></span><br />A wife of noble character is her husband&#8217;s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-7.htm">1 Peter 3:7</a></span><br />Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Ephesians 5:22-24</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-19.htm">Colossians 3:19</a></span><br />Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a></span><br />To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-11.htm">1 Timothy 2:11-12</a></span><br />A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a></span><br />The LORD God also said, &#8220;It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a></span><br />To the woman He said: &#8220;I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-24.htm">1 Samuel 25:24-25</a></span><br />She fell at his feet and said, &#8220;My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord&#8217;s young men whom you sent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25</a></span><br />(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31-32</a></span><br />It has also been said, &#8216;Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.&#8217; / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.</p><p class="hdg">better</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-6.htm">Psalm 55:6,7</a></b></br> And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! <i>for then</i> would I fly away, and be at rest&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/120-5.htm">Psalm 120:5,6</a></b></br> Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, <i>that</i> I dwell in the tents of Kedar! &#8230; </p><p class="hdg">wilderness or the land of the desert </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Bitter-Tongued</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Contentions</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Contentious</a> <a href="/psalms/136-16.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">Ill-Tempered</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-5.htm">Irritable</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Live</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Quarrelsome</a> <a href="/matthew/26-10.htm">Vexing</a> <a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/psalms/136-16.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Bitter-Tongued</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Contentions</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Contentious</a> <a href="/songs/3-6.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">Ill-Tempered</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-5.htm">Irritable</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-17.htm">Live</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Quarrelsome</a> <a href="/matthew/26-10.htm">Vexing</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/songs/3-6.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>Better to live in the desert</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the extreme conditions of the desert, which in biblical times was a place of isolation, scarcity, and danger. The desert, or wilderness, is often depicted in Scripture as a place of testing and purification, as seen in the Israelites' 40 years of wandering (<a href="/exodus/16.htm">Exodus 16:1-35</a>) and Jesus' temptation (<a href="/matthew/4.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a>). The comparison here underscores the severity of the situation being described. The desert represents a place of solitude and hardship, yet it is portrayed as preferable to the alternative, highlighting the value of peace over comfort.<p><b>than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife</b><br>The focus here is on the relational dynamics within a household. In ancient Israelite culture, the home was the center of life and community. A contentious and ill-tempered wife would disrupt the peace and harmony expected in a household. The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the theme of wisdom in relationships, particularly within marriage (<a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13, 27</a>:15). The contentious wife is a metaphor for strife and discord, which can lead to a breakdown in family unity. This phrase serves as a warning about the destructive power of unresolved conflict and the importance of seeking a harmonious and godly relationship. The emphasis is on the wisdom of choosing peace, even if it means enduring hardship, rather than living in constant conflict.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_desert.htm">The Desert</a></b><br>In biblical times, the desert was often seen as a place of solitude, desolation, and hardship. It represents a stark contrast to the comfort of a home, emphasizing the severity of the situation described in the proverb.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/contentious_wife.htm">Contentious Wife</a></b><br>The term "contentious" refers to someone who is quarrelsome or argumentative. In the context of this proverb, it highlights the disruptive nature of constant conflict within a household.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/ill-tempered_wife.htm">Ill-tempered Wife</a></b><br>This describes someone who is easily angered or irritable. The proverb uses this characterization to underscore the emotional turmoil that can arise from living with such a person.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_peace.htm">The Value of Peace</a></b><br>The proverb emphasizes the importance of peace in the home. It suggests that peace is so valuable that it is better to endure physical discomfort than to live in constant conflict.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_behavior.htm">The Impact of Behavior</a></b><br>Our behavior, especially within the family, has a profound impact on those around us. The proverb serves as a warning against allowing contentiousness and ill-temper to dominate our interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_self-examination.htm">The Call to Self-Examination</a></b><br>This verse encourages self-reflection on how our actions and attitudes affect our relationships. It challenges us to cultivate a spirit of gentleness and patience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_godly_character.htm">The Pursuit of Godly Character</a></b><br>The Bible calls us to develop a character that reflects Christ, marked by love, patience, and kindness, as opposed to contentiousness and anger.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_and_where_is_the_holy_land.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on nagging?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_5_19_objectify_wives.htm">Proverbs 5:19: Does likening a wife to a 'loving doe' and 'graceful deer' suggest objectification, conflicting with broader biblical claims of respect for all?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proverbs_21_9__is_it_biased_against_women.htm">Proverbs 21:9: Why does this verse single out a quarrelsome wife, and does it reflect a cultural bias that unjustly blames women for household conflict?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_quarrelsome_women.htm">What does the Bible say about quarrelsome women?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - A variant of ver. 9. Here, instead of the "corner of the roof," we have <span class="cmt_word">a wilderness,</span> a desert land, as the refuge to which the persecuted man must flee. <span class="cmt_word">Than with a contentious and an angry</span> (<span class="accented">fretful</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>woman</span>. So the Vulgate. But it seems better, with many modern commentators, to take <span class="hebrew">&#x5d5;&#x5b8;&#x5db;&#x5b8;&#x5e2;&#x5b7;&#x5dd;</span>, not as another epithet, but as equivalent to "and vexation," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> a quarrelsome wife, and the vexation that accompanies such an infliction. The LXX. adds a word to the text, as being at the root of the matter, "Than with a quarrelsome, <span class="accented">talkative</span>, and passionate woman." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Better</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1496;&#1431;&#1493;&#1465;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7789;&#333;&#183;w&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to live</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1445;&#1489;&#1462;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;e&#183;&#7687;e&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the desert</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1488;&#1462;&#1469;&#1512;&#1462;&#1509;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#183;re&#7779;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than with a contentious</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1460;&#1491;&#1456;&#1497;&#1464;&#1504;&#1460;&#1443;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(mi&#7695;&#183;y&#257;&#183;n&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4066.htm">Strong's 4066: </a> </span><span class="str2">A contest, quarrel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and ill-tempered</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1464;&#1499;&#1464;&#1469;&#1506;&#1463;&#1505;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#257;&#183;&#7733;&#257;&#183;&#8216;as)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vexation, anger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1461;&#1488;&#1461;&#1430;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#234;&#183;&#8217;&#234;&#183;&#353;e&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m &#124; Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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