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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/1-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/23_Isa_01_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 1:3 - Judah's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/1-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/1-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm" title="Isaiah 1:2">◄</a> Isaiah 1:3 <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm" title="Isaiah 1:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner&#8217s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: <i>but</i> Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; <i>But</i> Israel does not know, My people do not consider.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, <i>But</i> Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master&#8217s manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, <i>But</i> Israel does not know, My people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, <i>But</i> Israel does not know; My people do not perceive.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“The ox [instinctively] knows its owner, And the donkey its master’s feeding trough, But Israel does not know [Me as LORD], My people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master&#8217s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Oxen and donkeys know who owns and feeds them, but my people won't ever learn." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Oxen know their owners, and donkeys know where their masters feed them. But Israel doesn't know [its owner]. My people don't understand [who feeds them].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Cattle know who owns them, and donkeys know where their master feeds them. But that is more than my people Israel know. They don't understand at all." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's feeding trough, but Israel doesn't know, and my people don't understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master?s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />An ox recognizes its owner, a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food; but Israel does not recognize me, my people do not understand." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib; but Israel doesn't know, my people do not understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know. My people don’t consider.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />An ox has known its owner, "" And a donkey the crib of its master, "" Israel has not known, "" My people have not understood.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> An ox hath known its owner, And an ass the crib of its master, Israel hath not known, My people hath not understood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The ox knew his possessor, and the ass his lord's stall: Israel knew not; my people understood not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />An ox knows his owner, and a donkey knows the manger of his lord, but Israel has not known me, and my people have not understood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; But Israel does not know, my people has not understood. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The bull knows his owner and the male donkey the stall of his Master, and Israel does not know, nor have my people understood<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The ox knoweth his owner, And the ass his master's crib; But Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know me, and the people has not regarded me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/1-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=26" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/1.htm">Judah's Rebellion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7794.htm" title="7794: šō·wr (N-ms) -- A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.). From shuwr; a bullock.">The ox</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">knows</a> <a href="/hebrew/7069.htm" title="7069: qō·nê·hū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to erect, i.e. Create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase; by implication to own.">its owner,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2543.htm" title="2543: wa·ḥă·mō·wr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A male ass. Or chamor; from chamar; a male ass.">and the donkey</a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: bə·‘ā·lāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">its master’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/18.htm" title="18: ’ê·ḇūs (N-msc) -- A crib, feeding trough. From 'abac; a manger or stall.">manger,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">but Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">does not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">My people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: hiṯ·bō·w·nān (V-Hitpael-Perf-3ms) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">understand.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of depravity! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a></span><br />Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-28.htm">Deuteronomy 32:28-29</a></span><br />Israel is a nation devoid of counsel, with no understanding among them. / If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/32-9.htm">Psalm 32:9</a></span><br />Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-10.htm">John 1:10-11</a></span><br />He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. / He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-3.htm">Micah 6:3</a></span><br />‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a></span><br />As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></span><br />“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Hosea 8:12</a></span><br />Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a></span><br />‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know, my people does not consider.</p><p class="hdg">ox</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Proverbs 6:6</a></b></br> Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">but Israel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Isaiah 5:12</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a></b></br> When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, <i>and</i> set them on fire: for it <i>is</i> a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></b></br> They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; <i>and</i> their hearts, that they cannot understand.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-3.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-14.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Crib</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-3.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/songs/6-3.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/songs/3-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Manger</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">Master</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Master's</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-19.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/psalms/106-7.htm">Understood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/32-20.htm">Ass</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/job/39-9.htm">Crib</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-20.htm">Donkey</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-31.htm">Food</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/luke/2-7.htm">Manger</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Master</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-18.htm">Master's</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-19.htm">Understood</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-1.htm">Isaiah complains of Judah for her rebellion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">He laments her judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">He upbraids their whole service</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Bewailing their wickedness, he denounces God's judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-25.htm">He promises grace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">And threatens destruction to the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The ox knows its owner</b><br>In ancient agrarian societies, the ox was a valuable asset, essential for plowing fields and performing heavy labor. The relationship between an ox and its owner was one of mutual dependence and familiarity. The ox, despite being a simple animal, recognizes and responds to the one who provides for it. This imagery highlights the natural order and instinctual loyalty found even in animals, which serves as a stark contrast to the behavior of Israel. The use of the ox here underscores the expectation of recognition and gratitude towards one's provider, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/psalms/100-3.htm">Psalm 100:3</a>, which reminds believers of their identity as God's people.<p><b>and the donkey its master’s manger</b><br>The donkey, another common animal in biblical times, was known for its stubbornness yet also for its reliability in carrying burdens. The mention of the donkey recognizing its master's manger emphasizes the idea of knowing one's source of sustenance and care. The manger, a feeding trough, symbolizes provision and sustenance. This imagery is later echoed in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus, who was laid in a manger (<a href="/luke/2-7.htm">Luke 2:7</a>), symbolizing God's provision for humanity. The donkey's recognition of its master's manger further illustrates the expected response of gratitude and acknowledgment of one's provider.<p><b>but Israel does not know</b><br>Here, the prophet Isaiah contrasts the natural recognition of animals with the spiritual ignorance of Israel. Despite being chosen and blessed by God, Israel fails to acknowledge Him as their provider and sustainer. This lack of knowledge is not intellectual but relational and spiritual, indicating a failure to recognize God's role in their lives. This theme of Israel's spiritual blindness and forgetfulness is recurrent in the Old Testament, as seen in <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a>, where God laments that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. The phrase serves as a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.<p><b>My people do not understand.</b><br>The term "My people" signifies a personal and covenantal relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the depth of their betrayal. The lack of understanding is not merely cognitive but moral and spiritual, reflecting a failure to live according to God's laws and purposes. This phrase underscores the theme of divine disappointment and the call for Israel to return to a right relationship with God. The concept of understanding in the biblical sense often involves wisdom and discernment, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This call to understanding is a call to return to a life aligned with God's will and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the people of God, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this context, it represents the nation that has turned away from God despite His continued faithfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/ox_and_donkey.htm">Ox and Donkey</a></b><br>These animals are used metaphorically to illustrate the natural recognition and understanding of their owners, contrasting with Israel's lack of recognition of God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/owner_and_master.htm">Owner and Master</a></b><br>Symbolic of God, who is the rightful Lord and caretaker of Israel, yet is not acknowledged by His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/manger.htm">Manger</a></b><br>Represents the place of provision and sustenance, symbolizing God's provision for His people, which they fail to recognize.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_god's_sovereignty.htm">Recognition of God’s Sovereignty</a></b><br>Just as animals recognize their owners, we are called to acknowledge God as our Creator and Sustainer. This recognition should lead to a life of obedience and worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awareness_and_understanding.htm">Spiritual Awareness and Understanding</a></b><br>The lack of understanding among the Israelites serves as a warning for us to seek spiritual discernment and knowledge of God through His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_spiritual_ignorance.htm">Consequences of Spiritual Ignorance</a></b><br>Ignorance of God and His ways leads to spiritual decline and separation from Him. We must strive to know God personally and intimately.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_gratitude.htm">The Importance of Gratitude</a></b><br>Recognizing God’s provision in our lives should lead to gratitude and a deeper relationship with Him, contrasting with Israel's failure to appreciate His care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>This passage serves as a call to repentance for those who have strayed from God, urging a return to Him with understanding and acknowledgment of His lordship.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/isaiah_4's_restoration_vs._ot_judgment.htm">How do claims in Isaiah 4 regarding future restoration align or conflict with other Old Testament prophecies about judgment and destruction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'cross_is_foolishness'_mean.htm">What is the Lord's oracle?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_isaiah_49_3's_'israel'_inconsistent.htm">In Isaiah 49:3, the servant is called 'Israel,' but elsewhere seems a single individual--does this create an internal inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_numbers_31's_warfare_approach_unique.htm">Numbers 31 compared to earlier laws in Exodus and Leviticus: Why does this narrative's approach to warfare seem inconsistent with other divine commandments?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">The ox knoweth his owner </span>. . .--As in <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm" title="You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.">Exodus 20:17</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm" title="Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.">1Samuel 12:3</a>, the ox and the ass rather than, as with us, the horse and the dog, are the representative instances of the relation of domesticated animals to man. These know that relation, and act according to it; but Israel did not, or rather would not, know. So Jeremiah dwells, turning to a different region of animal life, on the instinct which leads the stork, the swallow, and the crane to fulfil the law of their being (<a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm" title="Yes, the stork in the heaven knows 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 8:7</a>), while Israel "knew not"--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>did not acknowledge--the law of Jehovah.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The ox... the ass.</span> The ox and the ass are probably selected as the least intelligent of domesticated animals (so Jerome, Rosenmüller, and Gesenius). Yet even they recognize their owner or master. Jeremiah contrasts the brutish stupidity of Israel with the wise instinct of animals that have not been domesticated, as the stork, the turtle-dove, the crane, and the swallow (<a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Israel doth not know;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> does not acknowledge its Master and Owner, pays him no respect, does not recognize him as either Owner or Master. <span class="cmt_word">My people.</span> Compare the formula, so frequent in Exodus, "Let <span class="accented">my people</span> go" (Exodus 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, etc.). Israel was God's people by election (<a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13</a>), by covenant (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-8</a>; <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Exodus 24:3-8</a>), by pardoning grace (<a href="/exodus/33-12.htm">Exodus 33:12-17</a>). Despite all their backslidings, he had not yet cast them off. They are still "his people" in Isaiah from first to last, standing in contrast with "the nations, "or "the Gentiles, "among whom they are to be "set as a sign" (<a href="/isaiah/66-19.htm">Isaiah 66:19</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Doth net consider.</span> Gesenius translates, "doth not consider <span class="accented">thereof</span>;" Cheyne, "is without understanding." Bishop Lowth retains the words of the Authorized Version. The meaning would seem to be, "My people doth not consider <span class="accented">me</span>, cloth not reflect on my relation to them as Lord and Master." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/1-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The ox</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁוֹר֙</span> <span class="translit">(šō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7794.htm">Strong's 7794: </a> </span><span class="str2">A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">knows</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its owner,</span><br /><span class="heb">קֹנֵ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(qō·nê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7069.htm">Strong's 7069: </a> </span><span class="str2">To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the donkey</span><br /><span class="heb">וַחֲמ֖וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(wa·ḥă·mō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2543.htm">Strong's 2543: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male ass</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its master’s</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעָלָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband, owner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">manger,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵב֣וּס</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḇūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_18.htm">Strong's 18: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crib, feeding trough</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֔ע</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understand.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·bō·w·nān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows his owner and (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 1:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 1:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 1:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>