Proverbs 1:28

KJV

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall they call {H7121} upon me, but I will not answer {H6030}; they shall seek me early {H7836}, but they shall not find {H4672} me:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they will call me, but I won't answer; they will seek me earnestly, but they won't find me.

Berean Standard Bible

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

American Standard Version

Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 1:28 presents a stark warning from personified Wisdom to those who have consistently rejected her counsel and instruction. It declares a solemn consequence: a future time of distress when those who scorned wisdom will desperately call upon her, seek her diligently, yet she will neither answer nor be found. This verse underscores the principle of divine justice, illustrating that persistent refusal to embrace truth during a period of opportunity can lead to a spiritual state where repentance and help, though earnestly sought, are no longer accessible. It highlights the critical importance of timely responsiveness to God's invitation to wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 1:28 is situated within the book's foundational introductory section (Proverbs 1:1-7), which establishes the purpose of the book—to impart wisdom and instruction. More specifically, it is the climax of a powerful prophetic oracle delivered by personified Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-33). Wisdom is depicted as crying out in public spaces, offering her guidance freely to the "simple," the "scorners," and the "fools." Verses 22-27 detail her persistent invitation, her lament over their stubborn refusal, and the escalating consequences of their rejection. Verse 28 then marks a dramatic reversal: the time of gracious invitation has passed, replaced by a time of judgment where the roles are inverted—those who once refused to listen now cry out, but Wisdom remains silent. This sets a serious tone for the entire book, emphasizing that wisdom is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a life-or-death choice with eternal ramifications.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs, attributed primarily to Solomon, reflects the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which often employed personification and vivid imagery to convey moral and theological truths. In Israelite society, wisdom was not merely practical skill but a deep understanding of God's order in creation and human life, rooted in the "fear of the Lord" (Proverbs 1:7). The concept of a divine call and human response was central to their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The public settings mentioned (gates, city entrances, streets) were common places for teaching, legal proceedings, and public discourse, making Wisdom's cry accessible to all. The warning in Proverbs 1:28 resonates with the prophetic tradition's emphasis on accountability and the consequences of rejecting divine overtures, a theme common across the Old Testament where God's patience eventually gives way to judgment for unrepentant rebellion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **consequences of rejecting wisdom**, demonstrating that persistent defiance of divine instruction leads to inevitable and severe repercussions. It underscores the **urgency of responding to God's call**, implying that there is a critical window of opportunity for repentance and embracing truth, which, if neglected, may close. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as the exhortation to [seek the LORD while he may be found](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord While He May Be Found") or the lament over Jerusalem's missed opportunity for peace in [Luke 19:42](/luke/19-42 "Luke 19:42 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem"). Furthermore, the verse touches upon the theme of **divine judgment**, not as arbitrary punishment, but as the natural outcome of humanity's self-imposed separation from God and His wisdom. This aligns with the biblical principle where God "gives them over" to their own desires and consequences when they refuse to acknowledge Him, as seen in [Romans 1:24](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24 - God Gives Them Over to Their Lusts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Call (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning properly, to call out to, i.e., address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications including to invite, proclaim, or mention. In this context, it signifies a desperate cry for help or attention, a stark contrast to Wisdom's earlier, ignored calls. The shift from Wisdom calling to the fools calling highlights the reversal of fortune and the desperation of their future state.
* **Answer (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** A primitive root properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond. Here, it denotes Wisdom's refusal to acknowledge or respond to their cries. This is not arbitrary silence, but a consequence of their prior refusal to heed her voice when she was readily available.
* **Seek me early (Hebrew, _shâchar'_):** A primitive root properly, to dawn, i.e., (figuratively) be (up) early at any task with the implication of earnestness; by extension, to search for with painstaking effort. This word conveys an intense, diligent, and fervent search, often associated with rising at dawn to pursue something vital. The irony is profound: those who once scorned Wisdom's easy availability will, in their distress, pursue her with the very earnestness they lacked during the time of grace.
* **Find (Hebrew, _mâtsâʼ'_):** A primitive root properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present. In this verse, it signifies that despite their earnest search, Wisdom will not be present or attainable for them. This emphasizes the finality of her withdrawal and the futility of their belated efforts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;":** This clause marks the turning point. "Then" indicates a future consequence, a time of distress and calamity that Wisdom has just described (Proverbs 1:26-27). Those who previously ignored or mocked Wisdom's gracious invitation will now, in their desperation, "call upon" her. However, the emphatic "but I will not answer" signifies a divine refusal. This is not an arbitrary act but a just response to their persistent and willful rejection of her earlier, freely offered counsel. It underscores the principle that there is a limit to divine patience and a window of opportunity for repentance.
* **"they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:":** This second parallel clause reinforces the first, intensifying the sense of futility. The phrase "seek me early" implies a diligent, earnest, and even desperate search, as if rising at dawn to pursue something of utmost importance. Yet, despite this newfound earnestness, the outcome is negative: "they shall not find me." This highlights the irreversible nature of the consequences for those who have hardened their hearts beyond the point of no return. Wisdom, once freely available and crying out in the streets, has withdrawn, and her presence is no longer accessible to those who scorned her.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 1:28 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its solemn message. **Personification** is central, as Wisdom is presented as a living entity who calls, offers, warns, and ultimately refuses to answer or be found. This makes the abstract concept of wisdom tangible and relatable. The verse also utilizes powerful **parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, particularly **antithetical parallelism** within the broader context of Proverbs 1:20-33. Here, the parallelism is more **synonymous** in its two clauses, "call upon me, but I will not answer" and "seek me early, but they shall not find me," reinforcing the same dire outcome through slightly different actions. This repetition emphasizes the finality and certainty of the consequence. The **irony** is palpable: those who once ignored Wisdom's public cries will now desperately seek her in their calamity, only to find her silent. This serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the gravity of their past choices and the irreversible nature of their present predicament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 1:28 is a profound theological statement on divine justice, human responsibility, and the nature of God's interaction with a rebellious humanity. It teaches that while God is gracious and patient, there is a point at which persistent rejection of His truth and wisdom leads to a withdrawal of His accessible presence and help. This is not God being vindictive, but rather allowing individuals to experience the natural, self-imposed consequences of their hardened hearts and willful defiance. It highlights the seriousness of spiritual opportunity and the danger of presumption, urging a timely and earnest response to divine instruction. The verse serves as a sober reminder that wisdom, freely offered, must be actively embraced, lest the season of grace pass into a season of judgment.

* [Isaiah 55:6](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord While He May Be Found")
* [Matthew 25:10-12](/matthew/25-10 "Matthew 25:10-12 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins")
* [Hebrews 3:7-8](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-8 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 1:28 serves as a piercing call to introspection for every believer and a solemn warning for those who have yet to embrace God's wisdom. It compels us to consider the urgency of our response to God's revealed truth. In a world full of distractions and competing voices, it is easy to defer spiritual matters, assuming that God's grace will always be available on our terms. However, this verse shatters such complacency, reminding us that there is a critical window of opportunity—a "today" when God's voice is calling. To repeatedly ignore, scorn, or procrastinate in responding to divine wisdom is to risk reaching a point where, even in desperation, the very help we once spurned may no longer be accessible. This should motivate us to cultivate a posture of humility, attentiveness, and immediate obedience to God's Word, valuing the present opportunity to walk in wisdom and avoid the tragic consequences of a hardened heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly resisting God's wisdom or instruction?**
* **Do I tend to procrastinate in spiritual matters, assuming there will always be another chance?**
* **How can I cultivate a more immediate and earnest responsiveness to God's voice and truth in my daily life?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the long-term consequences of consistent spiritual apathy or rebellion?**

### FAQ
**Does Proverbs 1:28 mean that God will never forgive someone who seeks Him later in life?**

Answer: No, Proverbs 1:28 should not be interpreted to mean that God will never forgive someone who genuinely seeks Him later in life. The Bible is replete with examples of God's boundless grace and forgiveness for those who truly repent, even at the eleventh hour (e.g., the thief on the cross in [Luke 23:43](/luke/23-43 "Luke 23:43 - Jesus and the Thief on the Cross")). This verse specifically addresses those who have *persistently and willfully scorned* Wisdom's call during a time of opportunity, hardening their hearts to the point where they become spiritually desensitized. It speaks to a self-imposed spiritual state where, in their calamity, they seek relief from consequences rather than genuine repentance and relationship. The warning is against a specific trajectory of defiant rejection, not against belated but sincere conversion. The call to [seek the LORD while he may be found](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord While He May Be Found") implies that there is a time when He *can* be found, but also a potential time when that opportunity is tragically missed due to unrepentant rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 1:28, though a stark warning from the Old Testament, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine Wisdom. The New Testament declares that Christ "has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). Just as personified Wisdom cried out in the streets, Jesus Himself came into the world, publicly proclaiming the kingdom of God, inviting all to come to Him for rest and salvation ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He lamented over Jerusalem, "How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!" ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")), echoing Wisdom's sorrow over those who refused her call. The tragic consequence of Proverbs 1:28—the inability to find wisdom when desperately sought—is fulfilled in the ultimate judgment upon those who persistently reject Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). For those who reject the light He offers, there comes a time when their spiritual eyes are so darkened that they cannot see, and their ears so deafened that they cannot hear, even if they later cry out in distress ([John 12:37-40](/john/12-37 "John 12:37-40 - Unbelief of the People")). Thus, Proverbs 1:28 powerfully underscores the urgency of responding to Christ's gracious invitation *now*, while the day of salvation is still open ([2 Corinthians 6:2](/2_corinthians/6-2 "2 Corinthians 6:2 - Now is the Day of Salvation")), lest one face the eternal silence of a missed opportunity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 3:4

Then 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 4:3

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.

Job 27:9

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Isaiah 1:15

And 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.

Zechariah 7:13

Therefore 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:

Jeremiah 11:11

¶ Therefore 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.

Psalms 18:41

They cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.