Job 18:17

17 The memory of him perishes from the earth, And he has no name among the renowned.

Job 18:17 Meaning and Commentary

Job 18:17

His remembrance shall perish from the earth
Not only are the wicked forgotten of God in heaven, and are as the slain he remembers no more, unless it be to pour out his wrath upon them, and punish them for their sins, for which great Babylon will come up in remembrance before him; but of men on earth, and in the very places where they were born, and lived all their days, ( Ecclesiastes 8:10 ) ( 9:5 ) ; yea, those places, houses and palaces, towns and cities, which they have built to perpetuate their memory among men, perish and come to nought, and their memorial with them, ( Psalms 9:5 Psalms 9:6 ) ( 49:11 ) ;

and he shall have no name in the street;
much less in the house of God, still less in heaven, in the Lamb's book of life; so far from it, that he shall have none on earth, no good name among men; if ever his name is mentioned after his death, it is with some brand of infamy upon him; he is not spoken of in public, in a court of judicature, nor in any place of commerce and trade, nor in any concourse of people, or public assembly of any note, especially with any credit or commendation; such is the difference between a good man and a wicked man, see ( Proverbs 11:7 ) .

Job 18:17 In-Context

15 They dwell in his tent who are none of his; Brimstone is scattered on his dwelling.
16 His roots are dried out below, And his branch withers above.
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth, And he has no name among the renowned.
18 He is driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world.
19 He has neither son nor posterity among his people, Nor any remaining in his dwellings.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Literally before the outside, meaning distinguished, famous
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.