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Context

Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son
…6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.…

Cross References

Psalm 112:6
Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.Isaiah 26:13-14
O LORD our God, other lords besides You have ruled over us, but Your name alone do we confess. / The dead will not live; the departed spirits will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them; You have wiped out all memory of them.Job 18:17
The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land.Psalm 9:5-6
You have rebuked the nations; You have destroyed the wicked; You have erased their name forever and ever. / The enemy has come to eternal ruin, and You have uprooted their cities; the very memory of them has vanished.Psalm 34:16
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.Psalm 109:13
May his descendants be cut off; may their name be blotted out from the next generation.Isaiah 14:22
“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will cut off from Babylon her name and her remnant, her offspring and her posterity,” declares the LORD.Isaiah 65:15
You will leave behind your name as a curse for My chosen ones, and the Lord GOD will slay you; but to His servants He will give another name.Matthew 26:13
Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”Luke 1:48-50
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. / For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name. / His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”John 12:3
Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.Acts 10:4
Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

1 Kings 11:36
And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

2 Kings 19:34
For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

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.

the name

Job 18:17
His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

Job 27:23
Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

Psalm 9:5,6
Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever…

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Proverbs 10

The memory of the righteous is a blessing
This phrase emphasizes the enduring legacy of those who live according to God's principles. In biblical context, righteousness is often associated with obedience to God's laws and a life marked by integrity and faithfulness. The righteous are remembered fondly because their lives reflect God's character and bring blessings to others. This idea is echoed in Psalm 112:6, which states, "Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever." The cultural context of ancient Israel placed high value on legacy and remembrance, as seen in the genealogies and records of ancestors. The righteous leave behind a legacy that continues to influence and inspire future generations, much like the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose faithfulness is recounted throughout Scripture.

but the name of the wicked will rot
In contrast, the wicked, those who live in opposition to God's ways, are not remembered with honor. The term "rot" suggests decay and corruption, indicating that their legacy is one of shame and disgrace. This reflects the biblical principle that sin leads to death and destruction, as seen in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death." The wicked are often forgotten or remembered negatively because their actions do not contribute to the well-being of others or the glory of God. Historically, the fate of the wicked is illustrated in the stories of figures like King Saul, whose disobedience led to his downfall and tarnished legacy. This phrase serves as a warning and a call to live righteously, aligning one's life with God's will to ensure a lasting and honorable memory.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Righteous
In the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live according to God's commandments and seek to honor Him in their lives. They are often contrasted with the wicked.

2. The Wicked
Those who live in opposition to God's ways, often characterized by selfishness, deceit, and moral corruption.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

5. The Community of Believers
The audience of Proverbs, both in ancient times and today, who are called to learn from these teachings and apply them to their lives.

Teaching Points

The Legacy of Righteousness
A righteous life leaves a lasting impact that blesses others even after one's passing. Consider how your actions today contribute to a legacy that honors God.

The Consequences of Wickedness
The name of the wicked will rot, indicating that a life lived in opposition to God leads to a legacy of shame and dishonor. Reflect on the long-term effects of your choices.

The Importance of a Good Name
A good reputation is valuable and reflects one's character and relationship with God. Strive to maintain integrity and righteousness in all areas of life.

Living with Eternity in Mind
The memory of the righteous is a blessing because it aligns with eternal values. Live with a focus on eternal significance rather than temporary gains.

Community and Accountability
Surround yourself with a community that values righteousness and holds each other accountable. This support can help maintain a life that leaves a positive legacy.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 10:7?2. How can we ensure our memory is "blessed" like Proverbs 10:7 describes? 3. What actions lead to the "name of the wicked" rotting, as in Proverbs 10:7? 4. How does Proverbs 10:7 connect with Ephesians 5:1-2 on living righteously? 5. In what ways can we cultivate a legacy of righteousness in our community? 6. How does Proverbs 10:7 encourage us to reflect on our daily choices?7. What does Proverbs 10:7 mean by "the memory of the righteous is a blessing"?8. How does Proverbs 10:7 contrast the righteous and the wicked?9. Why is the legacy of the righteous emphasized in Proverbs 10:7?10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 10?11. Why does Psalm 112:6 say the righteous will be remembered forever, when countless morally upright figures have faded into obscurity without any historical trace? 12. What is Día de los Muertos?13. Job 18:16–17: How can the names of the wicked vanish from memory when some of history’s most notorious figures remain famous? 14. What defines a eulogy?

What Does Proverbs 10:7 Mean

The memory of the righteous

“The memory of the righteous…” (Proverbs 10:7a)

• God keeps a record of those who fear Him (Malachi 3:16) and promises their remembrance will endure (Psalm 112:6).

• The righteous themselves cultivate lives worth recalling—marked by faith like those listed in Hebrews 11 and by deeds such as Dorcas’s acts of charity in Acts 9:36–39.

• Their stories continue to strengthen believers just as Paul drew courage from Timothy’s family heritage of faith (2 Timothy 1:5).

• Even after death they “still speak” through their testimony (Hebrews 11:4).

Is a blessing

“…is a blessing…” (Proverbs 10:7a)

• Remembering the righteous stirs gratitude, hope, and obedience (Philippians 1:3–6).

• Their legacy brings practical blessing—“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22).

• God Himself blesses the homes of the upright (Proverbs 3:33), ensuring that their influence multiplies.

• The Church thrives on recounting such examples, urging every believer to “consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

But the name of the wicked

“…but the name of the wicked…” (Proverbs 10:7b)

• Scripture often links a person’s “name” with reputation and character (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

• God warns that evildoers can be erased from memory: “The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth” (Psalm 34:16).

• Historical examples—like Amalek (Exodus 17:14) or Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11)—show how wickedness stains a name for generations.

Will rot

“…will rot.” (Proverbs 10:7b)

• “Rot” conveys decay and stench; wicked reputations decompose, leaving only disgrace (Job 18:17).

• What appears impressive now will be despised later: Ecclesiastes 8:10 notes the wicked were soon “forgotten in the city.”

• Judas Iscariot’s name evokes betrayal, fulfilling Jesus’ sober words in Matthew 26:24.

• Unlike the incorruptible crown promised to believers (1 Peter 1:4), the wicked inherit shame and oblivion.

summary

Proverbs 10:7 contrasts two lasting outcomes: the righteous leave a fragrance of blessing that God Himself safeguards, while the wicked forfeit even their name, which decays into dishonor. Choosing righteousness means investing in an eternal legacy that blesses others and glorifies the Lord, while rejecting wickedness spares future generations the rot of a tarnished name.

Verse 7. - The memory. The lasting, fragrant perfume of a holy life is contrasted with the noisomeness and quick decay of an evil name (comp. Psalm 72:17). As a commentator asks, "Who ever thinks of calling a child Judas or Nero?" Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The memory
זֵ֣כֶר (zê·ḵer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2143: A memento, recollection, commemoration

of the righteous
צַ֭דִּיק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

is a blessing,
לִבְרָכָ֑ה (liḇ·rā·ḵāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity

but the name
וְשֵׁ֖ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the wicked
רְשָׁעִ֣ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

will rot.
יִרְקָֽב׃ (yir·qāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7537: To decay

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Proverbs 10:7 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the righteous is blessed (Prov. Pro Pr)