Job 18:17

17 His 1memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street.

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 In his tent dwells that which is none of his; sulfur is scattered over his habitation.
16 His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above.
17 His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street.
18 He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world.
19 He has no posterity or progeny among his people, and no survivor where he used to live.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 34:16; Proverbs 10:7; [Psalms 109:13, 15]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.