Job 18:17

KJV

His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

KJV (with Strong's)

His remembrance {H2143} shall perish {H6} from the earth {H776}, and he shall have no name {H8034} in the street {H6440}{H2351}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Memory of him will fade from the land, while abroad his name will be unknown.

Berean Standard Bible

The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land.

American Standard Version

His remembrance shall perish from the earth, And he shall have no name in the street.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 18:17, delivered by Bildad the Shuhite, presents a stark assertion about the ultimate fate of the wicked, declaring that their very memory and public identity will be utterly eradicated. This verse serves as a climactic statement in Bildad's argument, portraying divine retribution as a comprehensive force that ensures the complete annihilation of the unrighteous, leaving no lasting trace of their existence or influence on earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 18:17 is a central component of Bildad's second discourse to Job, found within [Job chapter 18](/job/18 "Job 18 - Bildad's Second Speech"). In this speech, Bildad systematically outlines the dire consequences awaiting the wicked, aiming to convince Job that his suffering is a direct result of his sin, despite Job's persistent claims of innocence. Bildad describes the wicked's downfall in vivid detail, from their light being extinguished ([Job 18:5](/job/18-5 "Job 18:5 - The Light of the Wicked Extinguished")) and their strength failing ([Job 18:7](/job/18-7 "Job 18:7 - The Wicked's Steps Shortened")) to their family line being cut off ([Job 18:19](/job/18-19 "Job 18:19 - The Offspring of the Wicked Cut Off")). Verse 17 specifically targets the obliteration of their legacy and reputation, acting as a powerful rhetorical flourish to underscore the severity of God's judgment against those who, in Bildad's rigid theological framework, must be inherently sinful to experience such calamity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a person's "name" (`shêm`) and "remembrance" (`zêker`) were far more than mere labels; they embodied one's identity, honor, reputation, and enduring legacy. To have one's name "perish from the earth" or to "have no name in the street" was considered a profound curse, signifying complete erasure from history, collective memory, and public esteem—a fate often deemed worse than death. The desire to build a lasting name was a significant cultural aspiration, as evidenced in various ancient texts and monuments. Conversely, the deliberate destruction of an enemy's name or memorial was a common act of conquest and denigration. Bildad's pronouncement taps into this deep-seated cultural fear, using it to emphasize the severity of divine retribution and to pressure Job into confessing his supposed hidden sins. His theology reflects a pervasive, albeit often oversimplified, wisdom tradition that posited a direct and observable correlation between righteousness and prosperity, and wickedness and suffering.

* **Key Themes:** Job 18:17 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader ancient wisdom literature. Foremost is the **fate of the wicked**, which Bildad portrays as one of absolute destruction and oblivion, contrasting sharply with the **value of a good name and enduring legacy** so highly prized in the ancient world, as illuminated in passages like [Proverbs 22:1](/proverbs/22-1 "Proverbs 22:1 - A Good Name is More Desirable Than Great Riches") and [Ecclesiastes 7:1](/ecclesiastes/7-1 "Ecclesiastes 7:1 - A Good Name is Better Than Fine Perfume"). For Bildad, this verse also highlights the theme of **divine retribution**, depicting God as a meticulous judge who ensures that the wicked not only suffer physically but are also systematically erased from memory, leaving no trace. This rigid, deterministic view of justice is a central point of contention throughout the book of Job, as Job's own experience defies such simplistic theological frameworks, ultimately leading to God's profound and complex revelation in [Job chapter 38](/job/38 "Job 38 - The Lord Answers Job Out of the Whirlwind").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remembrance (Hebrew, _zêker'_):** From H2143 (זֶכֶר), this word signifies a memento, recollection, or commemoration. In this context, it refers to the lasting memory or legacy one leaves behind. Bildad's declaration that it shall "perish" implies a total obliteration from human history and collective consciousness, as if the individual never existed or left any mark, emphasizing a complete societal and historical erasure.
* **Perish (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** From H6 (אָבַד), a primitive root meaning to wander away, lose oneself, or by implication, to perish or be destroyed. This term conveys a sense of complete and irreversible destruction or disappearance. When applied to "remembrance," it underscores the finality of the wicked person's oblivion, indicating that their very existence will cease to be recalled or recognized.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** From H8034 (שֵׁם), this word denotes an appellation, mark, or memorial of individuality, encompassing honor, authority, and character. Far more than a mere label, "name" represents one's identity, reputation, and renown. To "have no name" signifies a total loss of public honor, influence, and social standing, particularly "in the street," which represents the public sphere.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His remembrance shall perish from the earth":** This clause asserts a complete and irreversible obliteration of the wicked person's legacy and memory. It speaks to a total erasure from the collective consciousness of humanity, implying that no one will remember their deeds, their existence, or their impact. This is the ultimate form of societal death, where even the echo of one's life is silenced, extending the punishment beyond physical demise to historical oblivion.
* **"and he shall have no name in the street":** This second clause reinforces the first through a powerful parallelism, specifying the public dimension of this erasure. "The street" (Hebrew: `chûwts`, H2351, often paired with `pânîym`, H6440, meaning "face" or "presence," implying "in the face of the public") refers to the public square or broad place—the hub of ancient community life where business was conducted, justice was administered, and reputations were forged. To have "no name" in such a place means a complete loss of public identity, honor, and recognition, signifying social and historical anonymity.

#### Literary Devices
Job 18:17 effectively employs several potent **literary devices** to convey Bildad's harsh message of divine retribution. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, as the two clauses ("His remembrance shall perish from the earth" and "he shall have no name in the street") express the same core idea of the complete obliteration of legacy and public standing, but from slightly different yet complementary angles. This structural repetition intensifies the message and emphasizes the totality of the wicked's demise. **Hyperbole** is also at play, as Bildad exaggerates the fate of the wicked to underscore his point about the severity of divine judgment. While consequences for wickedness are real, the absolute and universal erasure suggested here is a rhetorical flourish designed to instill fear and conviction in Job. Furthermore, "the street" functions as a **metonymy**, where the physical location (the public thoroughfare or square) stands in for the public sphere or communal life itself, powerfully emphasizing the loss of public standing and recognition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Bildad's declaration in Job 18:17 reflects a common, yet ultimately incomplete, ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine justice: that God's retribution is immediate, comprehensive, and ensures the complete eradication of the wicked's influence and memory. While the Bible does affirm that the wicked will ultimately face judgment, and that their earthly legacy may indeed fade, it also presents a more nuanced and complex picture of God's justice, often challenging the simplistic cause-and-effect theology espoused by Job's friends. The book of Job itself serves as a profound critique of this rigid framework, demonstrating that suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin, and that God's ways are far beyond human comprehension. Ultimately, the true enduring legacy is not built on fleeting earthly fame but on a relationship with God, whose own "remembrance" of His faithful endures forever, ensuring that those who honor Him will never truly be forgotten.

* [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Just is Blessed, But the Name of the Wicked Will Rot")
* [Psalm 34:16](/psalm/34-16 "Psalm 34:16 - The Face of the Lord is Against Those Who Do Evil")
* [Psalm 9:5-6](/psalm/9-5-6 "Psalm 9:5-6 - You Have Rebuked the Nations and Destroyed the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Bildad's theology is ultimately proven flawed in the broader narrative of Job, his words in Job 18:17 still provoke profound reflection on the nature of legacy, reputation, and the ultimate significance of one's life. The verse challenges us to consider what truly endures beyond our fleeting earthly existence. Is our focus on building a "name in the street"—a reputation, wealth, or influence that can easily perish—or on a legacy that holds eternal value? For believers, this prompts a reorientation from worldly accolades to a life lived for God's glory, knowing that true remembrance and honor come from Him. It reminds us that while human memory is finite, God's remembrance of His faithful is eternal, and a life of integrity and faith, even in suffering, leaves a lasting mark in His eyes, far surpassing any earthly fame or recognition that can be forgotten by the world. Our true identity and lasting significance are found not in what we accumulate or achieve for ourselves, but in how we reflect God's character and purposes in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "having a name in the street" mean to you in a contemporary context, and how might that pursuit distract from eternal priorities?**
* **How does the book of Job challenge simplistic views of divine justice, and what does this mean for our understanding of suffering and legacy in a fallen world?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a "remembrance" that aligns with God's purposes, rather than seeking fleeting earthly recognition or a legacy that ultimately perishes?**

### FAQ

**Is Bildad's view of the wicked's fate accurate according to the rest of the Bible?**

Answer: Bildad's view, while containing elements of truth about divine judgment, is ultimately presented as an incomplete and rigid theological perspective within the book of Job. The Bible does affirm that the wicked will face consequences and that their earthly legacy may indeed fade ([Psalm 37:35-36](/psalm/37-35-36 "Psalm 37:35-36 - The Wicked Flourish but Then Are Gone")). However, the book of Job itself serves as a profound critique of the simplistic "retribution theology" espoused by Bildad and Job's other friends, which posits a direct, immediate, and observable correlation between sin and suffering. Job's suffering, despite his righteousness, demonstrates that God's ways are more complex and mysterious than human wisdom can fully grasp ([Job 42:7](/job/42-7 "Job 42:7 - The Lord Rebukes Job's Friends")). Ultimately, God's justice is not merely about retribution but also about grace, restoration, and a deeper, often unseen, working out of His purposes that transcend human understanding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Bildad's pronouncement in Job 18:17, though flawed in its application to Job, points to a profound truth ultimately fulfilled in Christ: the complete and utter vanquishing of unrighteousness and the enduring nature of the righteous. While the wicked's name may perish, the name of Jesus Christ is the name above every name ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - The Exaltation of Christ")), a name that will never perish from the earth but will be proclaimed throughout eternity. For those united with Christ, their "remembrance" is not dependent on fleeting human memory or public acclaim, but on their eternal record in the Lamb's Book of Life ([Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life")). Jesus himself promised that those who follow Him would not lose their reward, and that their names are written in heaven ([Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Luke 10:20 - Rejoice That Your Names Are Written in Heaven")). Thus, the true fulfillment of a lasting legacy is found not in human effort to build a "name in the street" that can be forgotten, but in being remembered by God through faith in His Son, whose victory over sin and death ensures an imperishable inheritance for all who believe ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 34:16

The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Proverbs 10:7

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

Psalms 109:13

Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Proverbs 2:22

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Psalms 83:4

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Job 13:12

Your remembrances [are] like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.