Pro 21:19 | NETfull | STEP | It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.

Proverbs 21:19

19 It is better to live ^{▼▼ The Hebrew form שֶׁבֶת (shevet) is the infinitive construct of יָשַׁב (yashav), functioning as the subject of the sentence.} in a desert land ^{▼▼ The verse makes the same point as 21:9 and 25:24; but “desert land” is substituted. It would be a place sparsely settled and quiet.}
than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked ^{▼▼ The Hebrew noun כַּעַס (ka’as) means “vexation; anger.” The woman is not only characterized by a quarrelsome spirit, but also anger – she is easily vexed (cf. NAB “vexatious”; NASB “vexing”; ASV, NRSV “fretful”). The translation “easily-provoked” conveys this idea well.} woman.