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Proverbs 10:7

10:6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

KJV

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

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

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

10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. a prating: Heb. a fool of lips fall: Heb. be beaten

What does Proverbs 10:7 mean?

Proverbs 10:7 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include זֵכֶר (zêker), צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq), בְּרָכָה (Bᵉrâkâh). It connects to 7 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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The
memoryזֵכֶרzêker/zay'-ker/H2143a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
of
the
justצַדִּיקtsaddîyq/tsad-deek'/H6662just
is
blessed:בְּרָכָהBᵉrâkâh/ber-aw-kaw'/H1293benediction; by implication prosperity
but
the
nameשֵׁםshêm/shame/H8034an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
of
the
wickedרָשָׁעrâshâʻ/raw-shaw'/H7563morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
shall
rot.רָקַבrâqab/raw-kab'/H7537to decay (as by worm-eating)

Commentary on Proverbs 10:7

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 10:7
is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. Both the just and the wicked, when their days are fulfilled, must die. Between their bodies in the grave thee is no visible difference; between the souls of the one and the other, in the world of spirits, thee is a vast difference, and so there is, or ought to be, between their memories, which survive them. I. Good men are and ought to be well spoken of when they are gone; it is one of the blessings that comes upon the head of the just, even when their head is laid. Blessed men leave behind them blessed memories. 1. It is part of the dignity of the saints, especially those who excel in virtue and are eminently useful, that they are remembered with respect when they are dead. Their good name, their name with good men, for good things, is then in a special manner as precious ointment, Eccl. vii. 1 . Those that honour God he will thus honour, Ps. cxii. 3 , 6 , 9 . The elders by faith obtained a good report ( Heb. xi. 2 ), and, being dead, are yet spoken of. 2. It is part of the duty of the survivors: Let the memory of the just be blessed, so the Jews read it, and observe it as a precept, not naming an eminently just man that is dead without adding, Let his memory be blessed. We must delight in making an honourable mention of good men that are gone, bless God for them, and for his gifts and graces that appeared in them, and especially be followers of them in that which is good. II. Bad men are and shall be forgotten, or spoken of with contempt. When their bodies are putrefying in the grave their names also shall rot. Either they shall not be preserved at all, but buried in oblivion (no good can be said of them, and therefore the greatest kindness that can be done them will be to say nothing of them), or they shall be loathsome, and mentioned with detestation, and that rule of honour, De mortuis nil nisi bonum — Say nothing to the disadvantage of the dead, will not protect them. Where the wickedness has been notorious, and cannot but be mentioned, it ought to be mentioned with abhorrence. Marks of Wisdom and of Folly.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Jeremiah 4:7

The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

Ezekiel 19:1

Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,

Ezekiel 19:6

And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.

Ezekiel 38:12

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. To take: Heb. To spoil the spoil, and to prey the prey midst: Heb. navel

Ezekiel 38:13

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Daniel 7:4

The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. and it: or, wherewith it

Daniel 7:17

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 10:7.

1 Kings 8:32

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

2 Chronicles 6:23

Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

2 Samuel 4:11

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

Deuteronomy 25:1

If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

Exodus 23:7

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 9:27

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Genesis 12:2

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 18:23

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 10:7 say?

Proverbs 10:7 (King James Version) reads: "The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot."

Is Proverbs 10:7 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 10:7 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 10:7, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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