Proverbs 10:7
WEB
The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
BSB
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
KJV
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H2143
n-m — memento, recollection, commemoration
Derivation: or זֶכֶר; from 2142;
a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
KJV: memorial, memory, remembrance, scent.
n.m — remembrance
זֵ֫כֶר n.m. remembrance, memorial
H6662
a — just
Derivation: from 6663;
just
KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man).
adj — just
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
H1293
n-f — benediction, prosperity
Derivation: from 1288;
benediction; by implication prosperity
KJV: blessing, liberal, pool, present.
n.f — blessing
בְּרָכָה n.f. blessing
1. blessing
2. source of blessing
3. blessing, prosperity
4. blessing, praise of God
5. a gift, present
6. treaty of peace
H8034
n-m — appellation, honor, authority, character
Derivation: a primitive word [perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064];
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
KJV: base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
n.m — name
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
1. of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
2.
a. usu. of pers.
b. = reputation
c. esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
3. name, as designation of God
4. of false gods, use forbidden
5. = memorial, monument
H7563
a — wrong, bad
Derivation: from 7561;
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
KJV: condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
adj — wicked
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
H7537
v — decay
Derivation: a primitive root;
to decay (as by worm-eating)
KJV: rot.
vb — rot
[רָקֵב] vb. rot
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Verse 7
Proverbs 10:7
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, Ecc 7:1. Those that honour God he will thus honour, Psa 112:3, Psa 112:6, Psa 112:9. The elders by faith obtained a good report (Heb 11:2), 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.
Cross-references: Eccl 7:1 · Ps 112:3 · Ps 112:6 · Ps 112:9 · Heb 11:2