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Isaiah 1:3

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The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

The ox {H7794} knoweth {H3045} his owner {H7069}, and the ass {H2543} his master's {H1167} crib {H18}: but Israel {H3478} doth not know {H3045}, my people {H5971} doth not consider {H995}.

An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master's stall, but Isra'el does not know, my people do not reflect.

The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Commentary

Isaiah 1:3 serves as a poignant lament from God through the prophet Isaiah, vividly illustrating the spiritual apathy and rebellion of ancient Israel, particularly Judah, during a period of significant moral decay. This verse sets a stark contrast between the natural instinct of animals and the profound spiritual blindness of God's chosen people.

Context

This verse opens Isaiah's prophetic book, which begins with a powerful indictment against Judah and Jerusalem. God, speaking through Isaiah, describes the nation as spiritually sick and rebellious, having abandoned Him who nourished and brought them up (Isaiah 1:2). The imagery of the ox and ass immediately follows this declaration, highlighting the depth of their spiritual failure.

Key Themes

  • Profound Spiritual Ignorance: The central message is Israel's failure to truly "know" and "consider" their God. Despite countless blessings, a covenant relationship, and divine guidance, they acted with less understanding than common farm animals.
  • Divine Disappointment: God expresses His deep sorrow and frustration. He is the benevolent "owner" and "master" who provides for His people, yet they do not acknowledge Him or His provisions, demonstrating a profound lack of gratitude and spiritual discernment.
  • The Irony of Creation: The verse draws a powerful parallel between the natural instinct of animals and the spiritual dullness of humans. Oxen and asses instinctively recognize their providers, while Israel, endowed with reason and revelation, fails to recognize its Creator and Sustainer. This echoes similar laments found in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah 8:7, where even migratory birds know their appointed times, but God's people do not know His judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "know" (yada - יָדַע) is more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it implies a deep, intimate, and experiential understanding, akin to the relationship between a husband and wife or a master and servant. Israel's failure to "know" God meant they lacked this personal, obedient relationship. Similarly, "consider" (bin - בִּין) suggests a failure to discern, to understand with insight, or to reflect thoughtfully on God's ways and their own behavior. They were heedless and lacked spiritual perception.

Practical Application

Isaiah 1:3 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and taking God's blessings for granted. It prompts us to reflect:

  • Do we truly "know" God? Is our relationship with Him merely intellectual, or does it involve a deep, personal, and obedient walk?
  • Do we "consider" His ways? Are we attentive to His voice, His Word, and His providence in our lives, or are we spiritually dull and heedless?
  • Gratitude and Recognition: Like the ox and ass, do we acknowledge the source of our sustenance and blessings? This verse challenges us to cultivate a heart of gratitude and active recognition of God's sovereignty and care, avoiding the spiritual blindness that plagued ancient Israel. God continues to call His people to reason with Him and return to Him, offering forgiveness and restoration.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 8:7 (16 votes)

    Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 4:22 (12 votes)

    For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

  • Isaiah 44:18 (11 votes)

    They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.

  • Matthew 13:13 (10 votes)

    Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

  • Matthew 13:15 (10 votes)

    For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

  • Isaiah 5:12 (10 votes)

    And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

  • Romans 1:28 (9 votes)

    And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;