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Proverbs 1:28 — Word Study

Depth

WLCאָ֣ז יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי וְלֹ֣א אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִי וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃

BSAThenʼâz [at that time, in the future] they will call on meqârâʼ [cry out to, seek help from] but I will notlôʼ [absolutely not, under no circumstances] answerʻânâh they {will} earnestly seek meshâchar [diligently, with all their heart, search for, look diligently] but {will} notlôʼ [never, under no conditions] find memâtsâʼ [discover, attain]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 1
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 28 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (yim.tza.'U.ni) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 1:28quick helps
In a sentenceThe verse warns of a time when people will seek God but find no response.
Who is speakingThe speaker is God, indicating a future rejection of those who ignore His wisdom.
Where we areThis verse is part of a warning about the consequences of rejecting wisdom.
The hard wordיִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי
Take awaySeeking God earnestly does not guarantee His response if one has ignored His wisdom.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbעָנָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Proverbs 1:28

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Consequences of Rejecting Wisdomgenerated

27when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.
28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
29For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.
30They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.

Proverbs 1:28 warns that in a future time, people will call out to God for help but will not receive an answer. This follows the earlier verses that describe the consequences of ignoring wisdom and rejecting God's counsel. The context emphasizes the importance of heeding wisdom when it is available, as the opportunity to seek God may not always be present.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 6:3So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”
2Job 27:9Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
3Job 35:12There they cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.
4Psalm 18:41They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.
5Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

The Key Word יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי, Yik.ra.'u.nigenerated

The verb קָרָא (qara') means to call out or summon, and in this context, it indicates a desperate plea for help. The structure shows that the people are seeking God actively, but their past actions have consequences.

The parsing as a qal imperfect third person masculine plural indicates that this is a future action performed by many people, highlighting the collective nature of their seeking.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse has a main clause initiated by the verb יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי, they will call to me, followed by two subordinate clauses that describe what they will do and the outcome: but I will not answer and but will not find me.

The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the actions of the people, showing their desperation contrasted with God's determined silence.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי is rendered as με (me), which indicates a direct call to God. This choice emphasizes the personal nature of the plea.

The Greek translation captures the urgency of the call but does not convey the same finality as the Hebrew, where God's refusal is explicit.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 1:28 warns that there will come a time when people will call out to God for help, but He will not answer them. They will seek Him earnestly, but they will not find Him. This reflects the consequences of ignoring wisdom and rejecting God's guidance.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that God will not answer?

This indicates a serious consequence for those who have ignored His wisdom; their pleas will go unheard.

Why will they seek God at that time?

They will seek Him in desperation, realizing too late the importance of His guidance.

Is this verse applicable today?

Yes, it serves as a warning about the importance of heeding wisdom and seeking God while He may be found.

What can we learn from this verse?

We learn the importance of responding to God's wisdom before it is too late, as there may come a time when our calls go unanswered.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I ensure that I am seeking God earnestly in my life?
  2. What steps can I take to heed wisdom before it is too late?
  3. In what ways have I experienced God's guidance, and how can I remain open to it?
  4. What does this verse teach me about the consequences of neglecting God's counsel?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the consequences of ignoring God's call, illustrating the seriousness of neglecting wisdom.

Augustine of HippoEXPLANATIONS OF THE Psalms 86:7 354–430
What is it then which Scripture says in many places: "They shall call, and I will not hear them"? Yet surely you are merciful to all who call upon you....
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 1 →
Gregory the DialogistForty Gospel Homilies, Homily 36 c. 540–604
"But I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper." Behold, he calls through himself, he calls through angels, he calls through the fathers, he calls through the prophets, he calls through the apostles,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 1 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 1:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer,.... As he called them, and they refused to answer to his call, Proverbs 1:24; so it was just in him to return no answer to them, when they called

Read John Gill on Proverbs 1 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer - (Job 27:9.) God saith, it is true,

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 1 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Early; or, in the morning, as the word properly signifies, and is here rendered by others, as soon as their calamity comes; or rather, with great diligence and fervency, as this phrase commonly signifies. They shall not find me, because they do not seek me by choice and with sincerity, but only by constraint, and that they may be freed from their miseries.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 1 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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:Ver. 28. Then shall they call, &c.] This was Saul’ s misery; - The Philistines are upon me, and God will not answer me. This was Moab’ s curse. This was the case of David’ s enemies. A doleful case it is surely, when a man shall lose his prayers, and shall not be a button the better for all his pretended prayers and devotions. "He that turneth away his ear from hearing of the law, even his prayer shall be abominable." If God answer him at all, it is according to the idols of his heart, with bitter answers, as in Judges 10:13-14. Or if better, yet it is but as he answered…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 1 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(28) Then shall they call upon me.—They did not call upon Him in an “acceptable time,” in “a day of salvation” (Isaiah 49:8), while He was “near” (Isaiah 55:6); so at last the master of the house has “risen up, and shut-to the door” (Luke 13:25), and will not listen to their cries. They shall seek me early.—As God had done, “daily rising up early,” and sending the prophets unto them (Jeremiah 7:25).

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 1 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

28. early] Rather, earnestly, or diligently, R.V. text. The rendering early is due to the doubtful connection (see Bp Perowne on Psalms 63:1) of the Heb. word with the dawn (mane consurgent, Vulg.). Here in fact, so far from being early, it is not only late, but too late. It may of course be urged in favour of retaining the received rendering (as R.V. marg.) that the seeking is early as regards the coming of the calamity (comp. Hosea 5:15); but the other sense includes this.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 1 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

28. Shall seek me early — Rather, earnestly, urgently. The word primarily means to rise early; but as rising early was an eminent mark of earnestness and diligence in the pursuit of an object, so the

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 1 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

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

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

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

NETBNew English Translation2006

Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

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

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

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

RVARevised Version, American1894

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

NWBWebster's Bible1833

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

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Then shall they call vpon me, but I will not answere: they shall seeke me early, but they shall not finde me,

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

— then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, and shall not find me.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Then they call me, and I do not answer, They seek me earnestly, and find me not.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Then they call me, and I do not answer, || They seek me earnestly, and do not find me.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

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

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Then they will call upon me, and I will not answer; they will desperately call for me, but they will not find me.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the morning and shall not find me:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

then you'll call out to me for help, but I won't answer; you'll search hard for me, but won't find me.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then I will give no answer to their cries; searching for me early, they will not see me:

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseadverbialאָ֣זthenverbיִ֭קְרָאֻtheyobjectנְנִיwill.call.to.meוְandclauseadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbאֶֽעֱנֶ֑הI.will.answerclauseverbיְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗theyobjectנְנִיwill.seek.me.earnestlyוְandclauseadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיִמְצָאֻֽtheyobjectנְנִיwill.find.me

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with six out of seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but agree in essence with the Masoretic Text, indicating a consistent message across these ancient witnesses.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

אָ֣ז יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי וְלֹ֣א אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִי וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִיμεוְלֹ֣אοὐκאֶֽעֱנֶ֑הεἰσακούσομαιיְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִיμεוְלֹ֣אοὐξיִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃εὑρήσουσιν

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q102a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

אז יקרא׳נ׳ני [ולא] [אענה] ישחר׳נ׳ני ולא ימצא׳נ׳ני

4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 1:28אָזthenthenאָזקָרָאthey will cthey will call קָרָאלֹאand notand notלֹאעוּןI will answI will answerעוּןשָׁחַרthey will ethey will earneשָׁחַרלֹאand notand notלֹאמָצָאthey will fthey will find מָצָאעָנָהbe occupiebe occupiedעָנָהקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאיָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹדמְצוּדָהnetnetמְצוּדָהפָּשַׁעto transgrto transgressפָּשַׁעצוֹםfastfastצוֹםשֵׁםnamenameשֵׁםאִיּוֹבJobJobאִיּוֹבשָׁוַעto cryto cryשָׁוַעאָהֵבto love: lto love: loverאָהֵבאֵלgodgodאֵלחֵןfavorfavorחֵןבָּקַשׁto seekto seekבָּקַשׁ
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 1:28

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
אָ֣ז'az then H227 Adverb
141× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to a past time or place, often used to describe something that happened earlier. It can also be used as a conjunction to show a cause-and-effect relationship. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
at that time, in the future
Tyndale gloss
then
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָז (az) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then,' used for both temporal and logical expressions. It can refer to past events or indicate a condition for future actions. The related form מֵאָז (me.az) means 'from that time' or 'since.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts without significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָז adv. at that time, then whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).

strictly temporal

expressing logical sequence strictly

base

מֵאָז lit. from that time

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H227a אָז at that time, then H227b מֵאָז, once

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

227 'az awz

a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a

conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now,

of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָז (az) — then.

1) then, at that time

1a) temporal expressions

1a1) then (past)

1a2) then, if...then (future)

1a3) earlier

1b) logical expressions

1b1) in that case

1b2) that (being so)

מֵאָז (me.az) — the past.

1) in time past, of old

2)from time of, since

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adv — Adverb
HD
then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִיYik.ra.'u.ni they will call to me H7121 Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Amplified meaning
cry out to, seek help from
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVqi3mp/Sp1bs
then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
וְלֹ֣אve.Lo' and not H3808 Conjunction · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
absolutely not, under no circumstances
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה'e.'e.Neh I will answer H6030 Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
332× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Tyndale gloss
to dwell
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[עוּן] vb. dwell

base

עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond

Qal

answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

money meets all demands

specif. respond as a witness, testify

less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

Niph.

make answer

be answered

Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

base

עָנָה vb. sing

Qal sing, utter tunefully

Pi. sing sweetly of it

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied

. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances

. money meets all demands

. . specif. respond as a witness, testify

. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)

. . make answer

. be answered

. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart

H6030c עָנָה sing

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6030 `anah aw-naw'

a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,

i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to

begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,

announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),

(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,

hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing

(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.

See also 1042, 1043.

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 06031

see HEBREW for 01042

see HEBREW for 01043

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עוּן (un) — to dwell.

(Qal) to dwell

עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.

1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to answer, respond to

1a2) to testify, respond as a witness

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to make answer

1b2) to be answered, receive answer

Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)

עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.

(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singular
HVqi1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

an'-ser: In our English Bible the word "answer" does not always mean a simple reply to a question.

1. In the Old Testament:

Six different words are translated by answer.

(1) It is frequently used where no question has been asked and in such cases it means a word, a statement.

(2) It also means a response (Job 21:34; 34:36).

(3) It often means a declaration or proclamation from God where no question has been asked. See the many passages that read: "The Lord answered and said."

(4) The other words translated "answer" or "answered" in the Old Testament are unimportant shadings and variations.

2. In the New Testament:

The words translated "answer" are not so varied.

(1) It sometimes means an apology, a defense (1Pe 3:15; Ac 24:10,25).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Besides the common use of this word in the sense of to reply, it is very often used in the bible, following the Hebrew and Greek idioms, in the sense of to speak; meaning simply that one begins or resumes his discourse, Zec 3:4; 6:4; Mt 11:25; 12:38; Lu 7:40. It also means, to sing in choruses or responses, 1Sa 18:7; and to give account of one’s self in judgment, Ge 30:33; Job 9:3.

then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִיye.sha.cha.Ru.ni they will earnestly seek me H7836 Verb piel imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to seek or search for something early and earnestly, like in Psalm 63:1 where David seeks God diligently. It can also mean to rise early, as in Proverbs 8:17 where wisdom is found by those who seek it early. The word appears about 15 times in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
diligently, with all their heart, search for, look diligently
Tyndale gloss
to seek
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׁחַר (shachar) is a verb meaning to seek or look for something diligently, particularly in the morning or early. It is derived from a primitive root that implies earnestness and searching with care. The entries indicate its use in the Qal and Piel forms, with a reference to Proverbs 11:27.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שָׁחַר] vb. denom. look early, diligently for

Qal Pr 11:27, elsewhere

Pi. seeks him early (with) discipline

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7836 שָׁחַר vb. denom. look early, diligently for

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7836 shachar shaw-khar'

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):--(do

something) betimes, enquire early, rise (seek) betimes, seek

diligently) early, in the morning).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁחַר (sha.char) — to seek.

1) to seek, seek early or earnestly, look early or diligently for

1a) (Qal) to look for diligently, seek

1b) (Piel) to seek, seek early

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb piel imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVpi3mp/Sp1bs
then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
וְלֹ֣אve.Lo' and not H3808 Conjunction · particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Amplified meaning
never, under no conditions
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Tn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
then they will call to me and not I will answer they will earnestly seek me and not they will find me
יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃yim.tza.'U.ni they will find me H4672 Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
455× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
discover, attain
Tyndale gloss
to find
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find

Qal

find

find out

= come upon, light upon

noteworthy phrases

Niph. pass. of Qal, be found

Hiph.

cause to find, attain

cause to light upon, come upon, come

cause to encounter

present unto

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4672 מָצָא attain to, find

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'

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:--+ be able,

befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to

hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,

out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,

light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,

ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.

1) to find, attain to

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to find

1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought)

1a1b) to find (what is lost)

1a1c) to meet, encounter

1a1d) to find (a condition)

1a1e) to learn, devise

1a2) to find out

1a2a) to find out

1a2b) to detect

1a2c) to guess

1a3) to come upon, light upon

1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with

1a3b) to hit

1a3c) to befall

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be found

1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered

1b1b) to appear, be recognised

1b1c) to be discovered, be detected

1b1d) to be gained, be secured

1b2) to be, be found

1b2a) to be found in

1b2b) to be in the possession of

1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be

1b2d) to be left (after war)

1b2e) to be present

1b2f) to prove to be

1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to cause to find, attain

1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come

1c3) to cause to encounter

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffix
HVqi3mp/Sp1bs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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