Proverbs 10:7 kjv

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Proverbs 10:7 nkjv

The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

Proverbs 10:7 niv

The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Proverbs 10:7 esv

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Proverbs 10:7 nlt

We have happy memories of the godly,
but the name of a wicked person rots away.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 7 Meaning

Proverbs 10:7 conveys a profound truth about the lasting impact and memory of individuals, sharply contrasting the legacy of the righteous with that of the wicked. It declares that the memory of the righteous is a source of blessing and perpetual good, enduring beyond their lifetime. Conversely, the name, which represents the entire essence and reputation of the wicked, will decay, be forgotten, or become a source of detestation, ultimately perishing or becoming abhorrent. This proverb underscores that true lasting honor and blessing are tied to a life lived in accordance with God's will.

Proverbs 10 7 Context

Proverbs chapter 10 marks a distinct shift from the extended poetic wisdom discourses of chapters 1-9 to a collection of shorter, antithetical proverbs. This verse exemplifies the core theme of Proverbs, which is the contrast between two paths of life: the way of wisdom, characteristic of the righteous, and the way of folly, characteristic of the wicked. These pithy sayings offer practical insights into daily living, emphasizing that one's moral choices have direct, tangible consequences, not only in this life but also in terms of legacy and eternal remembrance. In the ancient Near Eastern cultural context, a person's "name" (shem) encompassed their reputation, character, honor, and influence, often considered more valuable and enduring than material wealth. A "good name" ensured respect and continuity through descendants, while a "rotten name" implied disgrace and the effacement of one's memory, sometimes linked to an unblessed posterity. The proverbs implicitly highlight a polemic against the worldview that only immediate success or power defines a person; instead, lasting worth is divinely assessed.

Proverbs 10 7 Word analysis

• The remembrance (זֵכֶר, zeker): More than a simple recall of mind. It signifies an active, positive commemoration, a perpetuated good name, reputation, and legacy that influences generations. It suggests divine preservation of a person's life and deeds. In some contexts, it refers to a memorial or monument.
• of the righteous (צַדִּיק, tzaddiq): Refers to one who lives in alignment with God's moral and ethical standards, demonstrating justice, integrity, and uprightness in their actions and character before God and others.
• is blessed (בְרָכָה, b'rakhah): Indicates divine favor and active beneficence. The memory itself becomes a source of blessing—it brings joy, inspiration, or continued good to those who remember them. It implies honor and commendation from God and humanity.
• but the name (וְשֵׁם, v'shem): As in ancient thought, "name" represents the entire person—their character, reputation, essence, achievements, and all that they stood for. It is their very identity and legacy.
• of the wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha): Describes a person who acts contrary to God’s laws, showing disregard for righteousness and often committing acts of injustice, evil, or rebellion against divine order.
• will rot (יִרְקַב, yiqav): From the root raqav (רָקַב), meaning to decay, spoil, or rot, often associated with perishing. It signifies moral decay, disintegration, and the complete obliteration of positive remembrance. The name of the wicked will become an stench, abhorred, or utterly forgotten, signifying a negative legacy or none at all. It points to divine judgment resulting in disgrace and oblivion.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The remembrance of the righteous is blessed": This phrase establishes a direct positive outcome for those who live justly. Their very memory (what they were, what they did, who they influenced) carries a blessing. This isn't just about human memory but also divine recognition and endorsement, ensuring their good influence persists.
• "but the name of the wicked will rot": This is an antithetical parallelism. It provides a stark contrast. The "name" encapsulates the whole identity and legacy of the wicked person. Its "rotting" indicates its moral corruption, its perishing, or its becoming a stench and source of shame. It implies a deserved effacement or detestation of their memory, a complete lack of any positive, lasting impact.

Proverbs 10 7 Bonus section

The principle of "memory" or "name" in this verse extends beyond individual recall to God's own perspective and action. For the righteous, God "remembers" them, which means He sustains their legacy, validates their character, and preserves their impact, often continuing their work through others. This concept is closely tied to God's covenant faithfulness. Conversely, God "removes the memory" of the wicked, signifying divine judgment where their actions and very being are actively forgotten, blotted out, or made repulsive in His sight. This highlights the eschatological dimension of divine justice, where ultimate remembrance and vindication rest with God Himself. This verse underscores that a true legacy is not self-made but a consequence of one's relationship with God.

Proverbs 10 7 Commentary

Proverbs 10:7 provides a timeless principle distinguishing between two fundamental types of lives: those dedicated to righteousness and those entrenched in wickedness. The proverb emphasizes the enduring power of a good name, echoing its high cultural value in the ancient world. For the righteous, their "remembrance" is not passive memory but an active, positive force. Their deeds and character become a blessed legacy, a source of encouragement, and a testament to divine favor, which ensures their ongoing influence even after death. This blessing extends to their descendants and the community, embodying a positive example.

In sharp contrast, the "name of the wicked" experiences a horrifying fate: it "rots." This graphic imagery portrays not mere forgetting but decay, becoming putrid or abhorrent. Their legacy is one of shame, contempt, or outright erasure, reflective of the destructive and corrosive nature of their lives. While worldly power or wealth might give them fleeting prominence, the ultimate judgment of God and history reveals the emptiness and depravity of their way. The proverb reassures the righteous and warns the wicked that true and lasting worth is tied to alignment with divine principles, not earthly success.

• Example: A benevolent community leader whose positive impact is continually celebrated through local initiatives named in their honor, contrasted with a corrupt politician whose scandalous history serves as a cautionary tale or is actively expunged from public records.
• Example: A parent remembered with love and gratitude for their moral example and sacrifices, while another is recalled only with bitterness due to their cruelty or neglect.