3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand."
3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand."
3 The ox knows who's boss, the mule knows the hand that feeds him, But not Israel. My people don't know up from down.
3 The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master's crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider."
3 Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master's care- but Israel doesn't know its master. My people don't recognize my care for them."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 1:3
Commentary on Isaiah 1:1-9
(Read Isaiah 1:1-9)
Isaiah signifies, "The salvation of the Lord;" a very suitable name for this prophet, who prophesies so much of Jesus the Saviour, and his salvation. God's professing people did not know or consider that they owed their lives and comforts to God's fatherly care and kindness. How many are very careless in the affairs of their souls! Not considering what we do know in religion, does us as much harm, as ignorance of what we should know. The wickedness was universal. Here is a comparison taken from a sick and diseased body. The distemper threatens to be mortal. From the sole of the foot even to the head; from the meanest peasant to the greatest peer, there is no soundness, no good principle, no religion, for that is the health of the soul. Nothing but guilt and corruption; the sad effects of Adam's fall. This passage declares the total depravity of human nature. While sin remains unrepented, nothing is done toward healing these wounds, and preventing fatal effects. Jerusalem was exposed and unprotected, like the huts or sheds built up to guard ripening fruits. These are still to be seen in the East, where fruits form a large part of the summer food of the people. But the Lord had a small remnant of pious servants at Jerusalem. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. The evil nature is in every one of us; only Jesus and his sanctifying Spirit can restore us to spiritual health.