Proverbs 11:7
Proverbs 11:7 in Multiple Translations
When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth.
At the death of an upright man his hope does not come to an end, but the hope of the evil-doer comes to destruction.
When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.
When a wicked man dieth, his hope perisheth, and the hope of the vniust shall perish.
In the death of a wicked man, hope perisheth, And the expectation of the iniquitous hath been lost.
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.
When wicked people die, they cannot confidently expect to receive anything that is good; they expect that their money will help/save them, but it will not.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 11:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 11:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/מ֤וֹת
אָדָ֣ם
רָ֭שָׁע
תֹּאבַ֣ד
תִּקְוָ֑ה
וְ/תוֹחֶ֖לֶת
אוֹנִ֣ים
אָבָֽדָה
בְּ/מ֤וֹת
mâveth
H4194
death
Prep | N-ms
אָדָ֣ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
רָ֭שָׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
תֹּאבַ֣ד
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
תִּקְוָ֑ה
tiqvâh
H8615
cord
N-fs
וְ/תוֹחֶ֖לֶת
tôwcheleth
H8431
hope
Conj | N-fs
אוֹנִ֣ים
ʼâven
H205
evil
N-mp
אָבָֽדָה
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 11:7
בְּ/מ֤וֹת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
אָדָ֣ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
רָ֭שָׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
תֹּאבַ֣ד
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
תִּקְוָ֑ה
tiqvâh
H8615
"cord"
N-fs
In Hebrew, this word for hope means a cord that attaches or expectancy, like waiting for something to happen. It appears in the Bible as a feeling of expectation or a thing someone longs for. The KJV translates it as hope or expectation.
Definition: cord
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: expectation(-ted), hope, live, thing that I long for. See also: Joshua 2:18; Psalms 62:6; Psalms 9:19.
וְ/תוֹחֶ֖לֶת
tôwcheleth
H8431
"hope"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word means hope or expectation, referring to a feeling of trust and confidence in something or someone. It is about looking forward to a positive outcome.
Definition: hope
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: hope. See also: Job 41:1; Proverbs 11:7; Psalms 39:8.
אוֹנִ֣ים
ʼâven
H205
"evil"
N-mp
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.
אָבָֽדָה
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 11:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 11:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:7
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
- Sermons on Proverbs 11:7
Context — Dishonest Scales
5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.
7When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes.
8The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in. 9With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:28 | The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish. |
| 2 | Job 8:13–14 | Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish. His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web. |
| 3 | Job 11:20 | But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.” |
| 4 | Luke 12:19–20 | Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ |
| 5 | Psalms 146:4 | When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. |
| 6 | Exodus 15:9–10 | The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. |
| 7 | Proverbs 14:32 | The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 28:9 | Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who slay you? You will be only a man, not a god, in the hands of those who wound you. |
Proverbs 11:7 Summary
This verse means that when someone who is wicked dies, all their hopes and dreams come to an end, because they were trusting in themselves and not in God. On the other hand, people who trust in God have a hope that will not perish, as seen in Psalms 16:9 and 1 Peter 1:3. This teaches us to put our trust in God and not in our own abilities, so that we can have a secure and lasting hope. By trusting in God, we can have confidence that He will guide and protect us, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the hopes and dreams of a wicked person when they die?
According to Proverbs 11:7, when a wicked person dies, their hope perishes, and the hope of their strength vanishes, as seen in the lives of those who did not follow God, such as in Psalms 73:18-19 and Ezekiel 28:9.
Is there a difference in the outcome for the righteous and the wicked?
Yes, as Proverbs 11:8 states, the righteous man is delivered from trouble, while the wicked man takes his place, highlighting the importance of following God's ways as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19 and Matthew 25:46.
How can we understand the concept of 'hope' in this verse?
The 'hope' in Proverbs 11:7 refers to the confidence or expectation that a person has in their own strength or abilities, which is contrasted with the hope that comes from trusting in God, as described in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 5:2-5.
What lesson can we learn from this verse about our own lives?
This verse teaches us that our hope and trust should be in God, not in our own strength or abilities, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 40:31, so that we can have a secure and lasting hope that does not perish.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have been trusting in my own strength or abilities instead of God, and how can I shift my trust to Him?
- How does the concept of 'hope' in this verse relate to my own life and the things that I am putting my confidence in?
- What are some areas where I need to surrender my own strength and abilities to God, and trust in His power and wisdom instead?
- How can I apply the lesson of this verse to my relationships with others, and show them the hope that comes from trusting in God?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:7
When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish,.... His expectation of a longer life, of getting more riches, attaining to more honour, enjoying more pleasure here, and of having happiness
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:7
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. When a wicked man dieth, (his) expectation shall perish; and the hope of unjust (men) perisheth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
His expectation shall perish; all his hope and felicity, which he placed wholly in earthly things, is lost and gone with him. The hope of unjust men; so it is a repetition of the same thing in other words. Or, as divers render it, the hope of their strengths, i.e. which they place in their carnal strengths, their riches, children, friends, &c. So this is added by way of aggravation.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
Proverbs 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.Ver. 7. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish.] He died, perhaps, in strong hopes of heaven, as those seem to have done that came rapping and bouncing at heaven gates, with "Lord, Lord, open unto us," but were sent away with a Non novi vos; "Depart, I know you not." And the hope of unjust men.] Etiam spes valentissima petit. So some render it. His most strong hope shall come to nothing. He made a bridge of his own shadow, and thought to go over it, but is fallen into the brook, he thought he had taken hold of God; but it is but with him as with a child that catcheth at the shadow on the wall, which he thinks he holds fast; but he only thinks so.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
Verse 7. When a wicked man dieth] HOPE is a great blessing to man in his present state of trial and suffering; because it leads him to expect a favourable termination of his ills. But hope was not made for the wicked; and yet they are the very persons that most abound in it! They hope to be saved, and get at last to the kingdom of God; though they have their face towards perdition, and refuse to turn. But their hope goes no farther than the grave. There the wicked man's expectation is cut off, and his hope perishes. But to the saint, the penitent, and the cross-bearers in general, what a treasure is hope! What a balm through life!
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:7
7. unjust men] iniquity, R.V. Comp. Hosea 9:4, where the expression “bread of mourners” (the same Heb. word) may be “the emblem of utter impurity,” because everything connected with death involved ceremonial defilement. See note there in this Series. Others render, with R.V. marg., strong men, or better, strength, i.e. wealth or worldly resources. The expectation of (i.e. based upon) such strength shall perish. Comp. for the sentiment Proverbs 11:4 above. The proverb obviously implies, as a matter of popular knowledge and belief, that there is an expectation which does not perish at death; an expectation, which for the true children of Abraham, as for Abraham himself (Hebrews 11:9-10), reached beyond remembrance on earth in fame or family, “to all generations” (Psalms 49:11).
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:7
Significant words, as showing the belief that when the righteous died, his “expectation” (i. e., his hope for the future) did not perish.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:7
7. Wicked man dieth — This is a difficult verse. Stuart renders, “When a wicked man dieth his hope shall perish, and the expectation of the afflicted perishes.” Conant: “When a wicked man dies
Sermons on Proverbs 11:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Tomorrow Comes by Samuel Davies | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the fate of the wicked and contrasts it with the hope of the righteous. The wicked, who have lived in wickedness, will die in the same manne |
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Hell Is Real by B.H. Clendennen | This sermon emphasizes the reality of hell as an everlasting punishment for those who reject God, highlighting the consequences of a life of continual sin and the importance of rep |
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Hold Fast to Hope by Brent Barnett | Brent Barnett delves into the significance of hope in the Christian faith, emphasizing its importance alongside faith and love. He highlights how placing hope in worldly desires le |
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The Hypocrite's Hope by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of the hypocrite's hope, warning that those who live in sin and presume upon God's grace without true repentance face dire consequences. He ci |
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The Objects, Grounds, and Evidences of the Hope of the Righteous by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the objects, grounds, and evidences of the hope of the righteous in contrast to the despair of the wicked in death. He emphasizes the importance of hav |
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The Sacred Anchor by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the Christian's chief happiness being in the future, looking for the blessed hope of heaven. He emphasizes the act of 'looking' with desire, joy, and p |
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Hope by William Cowper | William Cowper preaches about the transformative power of hope in the face of despair and the importance of genuine faith in God's mercy and grace. He contrasts the emptiness of wo |