Proverbs 10:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The memory {H2143} of the just {H6662} is blessed {H1293}: but the name {H8034} of the wicked {H7563} shall rot {H7537}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The memory of the righteous will be for a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

The memory of the righteous is blessed; But the name of the wicked shall rot.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:7 masterfully encapsulates a foundational principle of divine justice and human legacy, drawing a profound contrast between the enduring, positive impact of the righteous and the inevitable decay and oblivion awaiting the wicked. This succinct proverb asserts that a life lived in alignment with God's wisdom and will cultivates a blessed, honorable, and lasting remembrance, whereas a life characterized by unrighteousness ultimately results in a forgotten, reviled, or corrupted reputation that crumbles into insignificance. It speaks not only to the ultimate outworking of God's moral order but also to the intrinsic value of character and integrity over fleeting worldly acclaim or power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10 marks a pivotal structural shift within the Book of Proverbs, transitioning from the longer, thematic wisdom discourses of chapters 1-9 to a vast collection of independent, often antithetical, proverbs (chapters 10-29), primarily attributed to Solomon. Proverbs 10:7 stands as an archetypal example of this new format, employing sharp **antithetical parallelism** to juxtapose the "just" and the "wicked" and their contrasting destinies. This verse seamlessly integrates into the broader Solomonic collection, which consistently highlights the divergent paths and ultimate outcomes of the wise/righteous versus the foolish/wicked, emphasizing the profound consequences of moral choices. The immediate verses in Proverbs 10 continue this thematic contrast, exploring various aspects of diligence versus laziness, wisdom versus folly, and the resultant blessings or curses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly within Israelite society, the concepts of "memory" (Hebrew: `zêker`) and "name" (Hebrew: `shêm`) carried immense theological and social weight. A person's "name" was far more than a mere identifier; it embodied their character, reputation, essence, and often extended to their lineage and future generations. To have a "blessed memory" (or a "good name") meant to be remembered favorably, spoken of with honor, and to have one's positive influence, legacy, and even descendants endure. Conversely, for one's "name to rot" implied not merely fading into obscurity but a decaying, putrid remembrance—a source of shame or even a curse—signifying the utter obliteration of their positive influence and the potential termination of their line. This deep cultural understanding underscores the profound weight of the proverb's pronouncements, as the ultimate aspiration for any individual was to leave behind a good name and a lasting, positive legacy for their family and community.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 10:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the Book of Proverbs and broader biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the theme of **Divine Retribution and Justice**, asserting that God's inherent moral order ensures that character, rather than temporary circumstances, ultimately determines one's destiny and legacy. Secondly, it underscores the **Value of Righteousness and Integrity**, presenting a life lived in conformity with God's commands as the path to true flourishing and enduring honor, as seen in the foundational contrast between the righteous and the wicked throughout [Psalm 1](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"). Thirdly, the proverb speaks directly to the theme of **Legacy and Remembrance**, emphasizing that true lasting impact stems not from worldly power or fleeting fame, but from a life that honors God and blesses others. This concept is echoed in [Ecclesiastes 7:1](/ecclesiastes/7-1 "Ecclesiastes 7:1 - A Good Name is Better Than Fine Perfume"), which states, "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth." Finally, it reinforces the pervasive **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, a central motif in Proverbs, highlighting their antithetical natures and the diametrically opposed outcomes of their lives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **memory (Hebrew, _zêker'_):** This term (H2143) denotes a memento, recollection, or commemoration. In the context of Proverbs 10:7, it refers to the enduring remembrance and reputation of an individual after their passing. For the "just," this memory is not merely a factual recall but a positive, honored, and living legacy that continues to exert beneficial influence across generations. It suggests a fragrant, cherished remembrance.
* **just (Hebrew, _tsaddîyq'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to be righteous" (H6662), this word describes someone who is morally upright, in right relationship with God, and whose actions consistently conform to divine standards of justice and integrity. Their righteousness is not merely an external facade but reflects an inner character aligned with God's will.
* **rot (Hebrew, _râqab'_):** This primitive root (H7537) vividly means "to decay (as by worm-eating)" or "to putrefy." Applied to the "name of the wicked," it implies a process of corruption, disintegration, and putrefaction, suggesting that their reputation will not merely fade into obscurity but will become offensive, despised, or utterly obliterated, leaving behind a foul stench rather than a sweet aroma.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The memory of the just is blessed":** This clause declares that the remembrance of those who live righteously before God and humanity is honored and held in high esteem. The word "blessed" (H1293, _Bᵉrâkâh_) implies divine favor, prosperity, and a positive reputation. It suggests that their life and deeds will be recalled with admiration, gratitude, and a sense of enduring positive influence, perhaps even invoked as an example for future generations. Their legacy is one of goodness and divine approval.
* **"but the name of the wicked shall rot."**: In stark contrast, this clause pronounces a grim and inevitable fate for the wicked. Their "name" (H8034, _shêm_), representing their character, reputation, and entire legacy, is destined to "rot" (H7537, _râqab_). This powerful metaphor conveys not just forgetfulness, but a putrefaction, a decay into contempt, disgrace, or utter annihilation. The wicked's influence will not endure; instead, it will become an object of disgust or simply vanish into oblivion, leaving no positive mark and perhaps even being actively reviled.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:7 is a quintessential example of **Antithetical Parallelism**, a foundational characteristic of Hebrew poetry, especially prevalent in the Book of Proverbs. This literary device presents two contrasting ideas or statements, one affirming and the other negating, to highlight a profound moral or theological truth. Here, the "memory of the just" is directly contrasted with the "name of the wicked," and their respective outcomes ("is blessed" vs. "shall rot") are set in sharp opposition, creating a clear, memorable, and impactful statement about divine justice. The phrase "shall rot" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, vividly portraying the complete decay and disintegration of the wicked's reputation, likening it to organic matter putrefying. This isn't merely passive forgetfulness but an active process of corruption, revulsion, and ultimate annihilation of influence. The entire verse also employs **Contrast** as its primary structural and thematic principle, emphasizing the fundamental divergence in character and destiny between the righteous and the unrighteous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 10:7 articulates a profound theological truth about the enduring nature of righteousness and the transient, ultimately corrupting, nature of wickedness. It speaks directly to God's immutable moral order in the universe, where character and alignment with His will, not fleeting worldly success, determine ultimate legacy and remembrance. The "blessed memory" of the just is a testament to God's favor and the lasting, positive impact of a life lived in accordance with His commands, often extending beyond the individual's lifetime to influence generations for good. Conversely, the "rotting name" of the wicked underscores the futility, self-destruction, and ultimate ignominy inherent in rebellion against God. This proverb assures believers that their faithful living, even in obscurity, is not in vain; it contributes to an eternal legacy that will be honored. It simultaneously serves as a solemn warning to those who choose a path of unrighteousness, reminding them that their influence will ultimately be erased or remembered with disdain, a testament to the destructive power of sin.

* [Psalm 112:6](/psalms/112-6 "Psalm 112:6 - The Righteous in Everlasting Remembrance")
* [Job 18:17](/job/18-17 "Job 18:17 - The Perishing Memory of the Wicked")
* [Ecclesiastes 8:10](/ecclesiastes/8-10 "Ecclesiastes 8:10 - The Wicked are Forgotten")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 10:7 challenges us to deeply consider the kind of legacy we are actively building through our daily lives. It compels us to shift our focus from fleeting worldly achievements, temporary recognition, or accumulating material wealth to the enduring impact of our character and actions. Are we living in a way that cultivates a "blessed memory"—a life marked by integrity, compassion, justice, humility, and unwavering faithfulness to God—or are we pursuing paths that, though perhaps offering temporary gain or fleeting fame, will ultimately lead to a "rotting name"? This verse offers profound reassurance to the righteous that their quiet acts of obedience, their commitment to God's ways, and their consistent pursuit of justice are not unnoticed by God; they contribute to an eternal legacy that will be honored and cherished. For those tempted by the allure of unrighteous gain, power, or fame, it serves as a sobering reminder that such pursuits are ultimately hollow, self-defeating, and lead to an ignominious end. Our daily choices, our words, our deeds, and the very essence of our character are the building blocks of our legacy; let us build wisely, for God's glory and the lasting blessing of others, ensuring that our memory is sweet and enduring.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for your "memory" to be "blessed" in a practical, everyday sense, beyond your lifetime?**
* **How does this proverb challenge your current priorities regarding success, reputation, and what you hope to leave behind?**
* **In what contemporary ways might the "name of the wicked" rot, even if they achieve significant worldly fame or power during their lives?**
* **What specific, actionable steps can you take this week to ensure your life contributes to a "blessed memory" rather than a "rotting name"?**

### FAQ
**Does "blessed memory" imply material prosperity or just a good reputation?**

Answer: While material prosperity might sometimes accompany a life blessed by God, the primary meaning of "blessed memory" in Proverbs 10:7 refers to a positive, honored, and enduring reputation and influence. It speaks to the spiritual and moral legacy left behind, the favorable remembrance by God and by people, rather than necessarily a promise of wealth. The blessing is fundamentally rooted in the individual's character and the lasting impact of their righteousness, often manifesting as respect, good repute, and a positive influence that continues through generations, even if the individual faced hardship or lacked material riches during their lifetime. It is a legacy of character and divine favor.

**How does the "name of the wicked" rot, and is it always immediate?**

Answer: The "rotting" of the wicked's name is a powerful metaphor for the decay, contempt, or complete obliteration of their reputation and influence. This process is not always immediate or visibly manifest during their lifetime; indeed, the wicked may often appear to prosper and gain fame for a time, as noted in passages like [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"). However, the proverb asserts a divine principle: ultimately, their deeds will be exposed, their true character revealed, and their legacy will either be forgotten, remembered with disdain, or actively cursed, like a stench. It signifies the ultimate futility and self-destructive nature of a life lived apart from God's wisdom, where their impact eventually crumbles into nothingness or infamy, demonstrating that unrighteousness cannot build an enduring, honorable legacy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:7 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "just" one, the [Righteous Servant](/isaiah/53-11 "Isaiah 53:11 - My Righteous Servant"), who lived a life of impeccable integrity and perfect obedience to God's will, utterly devoid of sin. His "memory" is not merely blessed but is the very source of eternal life, blessing, and salvation for all who believe in Him. His name, the [name above every name](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - The Name Above Every Name"), is eternally exalted and will never rot; rather, it is the name by which [every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus"). In His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ took upon Himself the "rotting name" of humanity's sin and wickedness, bearing its curse and shame so that believers might receive His blessed righteousness and share in His enduring legacy. When we are [united with Christ in His death and resurrection](/romans/6-5 "Romans 6:5 - United with Christ in His Death and Resurrection") by faith, we are grafted into His blessed memory and His eternally enduring name, becoming part of His glorious, unperishable inheritance. The "rotting" of the wicked's name is ultimately fulfilled in Christ's decisive triumph over sin, death, and the devil, whose power and influence are utterly vanquished and whose ultimate destiny is eternal decay and destruction, as powerfully depicted in [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Thrown into the Lake of Fire"). Thus, the proverb points forward to the ultimate victory of divine righteousness embodied in Christ, ensuring that only His blessed name and the names of those found in Him will endure for all eternity.

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 112:6

¶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

Luke 1:48

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Mark 14:9

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, [this] also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Psalms 109:13

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

2 Chronicles 24:16

And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.

Job 18:17

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

Psalms 109:15

Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.