Proverbs 11:7

KJV

¶ When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.

KJV (with Strong's)

When a wicked {H7563} man {H120} dieth {H4194}, his expectation {H8615} shall perish {H6}: and the hope {H8431} of unjust {H205} men perisheth {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; what he hopes for from evil comes to nothing.

Berean Standard Bible

When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.

American Standard Version

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 11:7 powerfully articulates the stark contrast between the ultimate fate of the wicked and the righteous, declaring that all aspirations, schemes, and perceived securities built upon unrighteousness are utterly ephemeral and will vanish into nothingness at the moment of death. This verse serves as a profound statement on divine justice, asserting that worldly success and self-serving endeavors, when divorced from integrity and God's moral order, offer no true security or lasting future beyond the grave, ultimately leading to disillusionment and ruin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 11 is a meticulously crafted chapter within the wisdom literature, heavily relying on antithetical parallelism to highlight the divergent paths and inevitable outcomes for the righteous and the wicked. This literary device, where opposing ideas are juxtaposed, is a hallmark of the book, making the consequences of moral choices strikingly clear. The chapter systematically contrasts honesty with deceit ([Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - Dishonest Scales")), humility with pride ([Proverbs 11:2](/proverbs/11-2 "Proverbs 11:2 - Humility and Pride")), and generosity with greed ([Proverbs 11:24-26](/proverbs/11-24-26 "Proverbs 11:24-26 - Generosity and Prosperity")). Proverbs 11:7 fits seamlessly into this overarching pattern, immediately following a verse that speaks of the righteous being delivered from trouble ([Proverbs 11:6](/proverbs/11-6 "Proverbs 11:6 - The Righteous Delivered")) and preceding one that describes the righteous as a source of blessing ([Proverbs 11:8](/proverbs/11-8 "Proverbs 11:8 - The Righteous Rescued")). It underscores the chapter's pervasive message that true life, lasting prosperity, and enduring hope are rooted in righteousness, while wickedness inevitably leads to destruction and emptiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Proverbs emerged from the wisdom traditions of ancient Israel, reflecting observations of daily life, societal structures, and the natural order. In a culture where concepts like lineage, material wealth, and social standing were often highly esteemed, the proverbs frequently challenged the conventional wisdom that equated these with ultimate success or divine favor. The concept of "death" in this context is not merely a biological cessation but a profound transition that reveals the true nature of one's life's foundation. For the wicked, whose hopes and expectations were often inextricably tied to earthly power, accumulated possessions, or cunning schemes, death represented the ultimate stripping away of all they had acquired or relied upon. The cultural understanding of justice, while sometimes appearing delayed or incomplete in earthly life, was ultimately believed to be administered by Yahweh, often at the point of death or in the afterlife, reinforcing the idea that a life built on injustice would ultimately come to naught and its aspirations would be utterly undone.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 11:7 contributes significantly to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the wisdom literature and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God's moral order ensures a just outcome, even if its full realization is not always apparent in this life. Death acts as a definitive moment of reckoning, where the illusions of the wicked are shattered, and their foundations are revealed as sand, much like the foolish builder in [Matthew 7:26-27](/matthew/7-26-27 "Matthew 7:26-27 - The House Built on Sand"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Futility of Worldly Hope and Materialism** for those who pursue them unrighteously. The "expectation" and "hope" of the wicked are explicitly shown to be rooted in transient, earthly achievements or ill-gotten gains, which are utterly worthless in the face of eternity. This stands in sharp contrast to the enduring, eternal hope of the righteous, which is grounded in God's promises and character (compare [Proverbs 10:28](/proverbs/10-28 "Proverbs 10:28 - The Hope of the Righteous")). Finally, the verse reinforces the **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, a foundational theme woven throughout the entire book of Proverbs (e.g., [Proverbs 10:1-32](/proverbs/10 "Proverbs 10 - Contrasts of Righteous and Wicked")). It posits that the very nature of one's life—whether characterized by righteousness or wickedness—determines the ultimate outcome and viability of their aspirations, especially at life's end.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** (H7563) Derived from a root meaning "to be morally wrong," this term describes an actively bad person, one who is guilty, ungodly, or consistently does wrong. It encompasses not merely a lack of righteousness but an active opposition to divine and moral standards, often characterized by injustice, oppression, and self-serving ambition. The "wicked man" is one whose life is fundamentally misaligned with God's will.
* **expectation (Hebrew, _tiqvâh'_):** (H8615) Literally meaning "a cord" (something to cling to or be attached to), this word figuratively denotes expectancy or hope. It refers to what one looks forward to, relies upon, or anticipates for the future. In the context of the wicked, this expectation is often tied to their earthly schemes, their accumulated wealth, or their perceived power, which they believe will secure their future and provide lasting fulfillment.
* **perish (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** (H6) A primitive root meaning "to wander away," "lose oneself," or "to perish" (causative, destroy). It signifies complete destruction, failure, or being undone, often implying a state of being utterly void or having no way to flee. When applied to the expectation and hope of the wicked, it means their aspirations, plans, and perceived security will utterly vanish, come to naught, and be completely void at the moment of death, leaving no trace or fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:"** This clause establishes a clear condition and its immediate, unavoidable consequence. The "wicked man" (râshâʻ) is identified by his moral character and actions, which are contrary to God's ways. The moment of death (mâveth, H4194) is presented as the critical juncture, the ultimate test of one's life's foundation. At this point, whatever the wicked person "expected" (tiqvâh)—whether it be continued earthly prosperity, the success of their cunning schemes, the perpetuation of their legacy, or the security of their material possessions—will utterly "perish" (ʼâbad). Their future-oriented hopes, rooted in their unrighteous life, are revealed as baseless and are completely destroyed, offering no comfort or continuity beyond the grave.
* **"and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth."** This second clause functions as a classic example of synonymous parallelism, reinforcing and intensifying the truth presented in the first. "Unjust men" uses the Hebrew word ʼâven (H205), which denotes nothingness, trouble, vanity, or wickedness, often specifically associated with iniquity, moral evil, or reliance on false idols. The "hope" (tôwcheleth, H8431) of such individuals, which is essentially the same concept as "expectation" but with a slightly different nuance emphasizing confidence in the future, also "perishes" (ʼâbad). The repetition of "perisheth" emphasizes the certainty and completeness of the demise of their aspirations. There is no lingering shred of hope, fulfillment, or lasting legacy for those whose lives were built on injustice and wickedness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, a foundational feature of Hebrew poetry, where the second line reiterates or strengthens the thought of the first line using different words with similar meanings. "His expectation shall perish" in the first clause is powerfully echoed and reinforced by "the hope of unjust men perisheth" in the second, driving home the central message about the utter futility of the wicked's aspirations. The use of **Antithesis** is also strongly implied, as this verse stands in stark contrast to the enduring hope and blessed end of the righteous, a theme pervasive throughout the Book of Proverbs. The opening phrase "When a wicked man dieth" serves as a potent **Foreshadowing** device, immediately setting a somber and decisive tone and pointing to the inevitable, definitive consequence that awaits the unrighteous. The concise and impactful nature of the statement also gives it the quality of a **Proverbial Maxim**, a short, memorable statement of truth intended to impart profound wisdom and guide moral conduct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 11:7 profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: the ultimate fate of individuals is inextricably linked to their moral and spiritual orientation in life. It emphasizes that a life lived apart from God's righteousness, marked by injustice and wickedness, builds upon a foundation that cannot withstand the test of eternity. The "expectation" and "hope" of the wicked are shown to be entirely temporal, rooted in the transient realities of this world—wealth, power, reputation, or cunning schemes—all of which are stripped away at death. This stands in stark contrast to the hope of the righteous, which is grounded in God's eternal promises and therefore transcends the grave, leading to lasting peace and communion with the Creator. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living with an eternal perspective, recognizing that true security and fulfillment are found not in earthly accumulation but in a right relationship with God and adherence to His righteous ways.

* [Job 8:13](/job/8-13 "Job 8:13 - The Hope of the Godless")
* [Psalm 37:37](/psalms/37-37 "Psalm 37:37 - The End of the Upright")
* [Matthew 7:26-27](/matthew/7-26-27 "Matthew 7:26-27 - Building on Sand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 11:7 delivers a sobering message that compels us to examine the foundations of our own hopes and aspirations. It challenges us to consider what we are truly building our lives upon: is it the fleeting promises of worldly success, material possessions, human approval, or self-serving ambitions, all of which are ultimately revealed as empty at life's end? Or are our hopes anchored in the enduring truths of God's Word and His eternal promises, which offer a hope that death cannot diminish? This verse calls us to cultivate an eternal perspective, investing our time, energy, and resources into things that truly last—righteousness, spiritual growth, service to God and others, and an unwavering trust in divine justice. It's a powerful invitation to reorient our lives, ensuring that our deepest expectations are not rooted in the transient but in the eternal, thereby securing a hope that will never perish and will find its ultimate fulfillment in God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the primary "expectations" and "hopes" that drive my daily decisions and long-term goals?**
* **How might my current pursuits be unknowingly building upon a "wicked" or "unjust" foundation that will ultimately perish?**
* **In what ways can I intentionally shift my focus and investments from temporary worldly gains to eternal spiritual truths?**
* **How does the certainty of death impact my understanding of what truly matters and what I should prioritize in life?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that all non-believers have no hope in this life?**

Answer: Not necessarily. The verse specifically refers to the "wicked" and "unjust," which in the biblical context often describes those who actively pursue evil, injustice, and self-serving gain, often at the expense of others, and who disregard God's moral law. While all humanity is fallen and in need of redemption, this proverb targets a specific character type whose life is defined by active unrighteousness. Such individuals may indeed experience temporary earthly "hope" in their schemes or wealth, and even a degree of worldly optimism, but the verse asserts that this particular kind of hope—one rooted in unrighteousness and self-reliance—will ultimately perish at death, proving to be utterly futile and without lasting value. It speaks to the ultimate outcome of a life lived contrary to God's ways, rather than merely the presence or absence of earthly optimism. The enduring hope spoken of in Scripture is one that transcends earthly circumstances and death, found only in a right relationship with God, as seen in passages like [Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame"), which speaks of a hope that does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 11:7, with its stark declaration that the hope of the wicked perishes at death, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "wicked man" and "unjust men" represent the universal fallen state of humanity, whose natural expectations and hopes are inherently bound to this temporal world and thus destined to perish. Humanity, apart from Christ, is indeed "without hope and without God in the world" ([Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Without Hope and God in the World")). However, Jesus, by His perfect life of righteousness, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, has decisively conquered sin and death, providing a living hope that transcends the grave. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God. For all who place their faith in Him, their hope is no longer rooted in fleeting earthly expectations or self-righteous endeavors but in the eternal promises of God, secured by Christ's resurrection. As [1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection") proclaims, believers have been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." The perishing hope of the wicked underscores the desperate need for the enduring, eternal hope found only in Christ, who is Himself "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), ensuring that those who believe in Him, though they die, yet shall live.

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

Proverbs 10:28

The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Job 8:13

So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

Job 8:14

Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider's web.

Job 11:20

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope [shall be as] the giving up of the ghost.

Proverbs 14:32

¶ The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Luke 12:19

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.

Luke 12:20

But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?