Proverbs 1:28
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Original Language Analysis
אָ֣ז
H227
יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי
Then shall they call
H7121
יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי
Then shall they call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה
upon me but I will not answer
H6030
אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה
upon me but I will not answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִי
they shall seek me early
H7836
יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִי
they shall seek me early
Strong's:
H7836
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to dawn, i.e., (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking
Cross References
Micah 3:4Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.James 4:3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Job 27:9Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?Jeremiah 11:11Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.Zechariah 7:13Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Psalms 18:41They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.Jeremiah 14:12When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.Job 35:12There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.Ezekiel 8:18Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaty language included windows for appeal and curses for breach. Israel's covenant with Yahweh similarly included temporal limits for repentance before judgment. Historical examples include Noah's flood—the door closed (Gen. 7:16), and Jerusalem's destruction after long prophetic warnings. The principle appears in Jesus' parables—the door shut on foolish virgins (Matt. 25:10-12). Opportunity for grace has limits.
Questions for Reflection
- How does unanswered prayer after persistent rejection challenge assumptions that God must always respond to our calls?
- What does this teach us about the urgency of heeding God's voice 'today' (Heb. 3:7-8) rather than presuming on future opportunities?
Analysis & Commentary
The consequence of rejection: 'Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.' This describes the terrifying reversal—when judgment comes, prayers go unanswered. The 'then' indicates too late; the time for mercy has passed. 'Seek me early' (diligently) shows desperate seeking, yet futile. This reflects Hebrews 12:17—Esau found no place for repentance. Common grace and gospel offers have windows of opportunity; spurned, they close. This warns against presuming on future chances to repent.