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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 1:3

Obligation and interest. I. THE WEIGHTIEST OBLIGATION . Isaiah speaks of ownership as a relation existing between a brute beast and a man; the "ox knoweth its owner." There is a legal and not unimportant sense in which a man may own art animal; the creature is his in so far as this, that no one else can lay an equal claim to its use, and no one can dispute his legal right to employ it in his service. In a far larger sense than this does man belong to God. God has that strong and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 1:1

The vision - The first verse evidently is a title, but whether to the whole book or only to a part of it has been questioned. As it stands here, however, it seems clearly intended to include the entire book, because it embraces all that was seen during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah; that is, during the whole prophetic life of the prophet. The same title is also given to his prophecies in 2 Chronicles 32:32 : ‘Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold they... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 1:2

Hear, O heavens - This is properly the beginning of the prophecy. It is a sublime commencement; and is of a highly poetic character. The heavens and the earth are summoned to bear witness to the apostasy, ingratitude, and deep depravity of the chosen people of God. The address is expressive of deep feeling - the bursting forth of a heart filled with amazement at a wonderful and unusual event. The same sublime beginning is found in the song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32:1 :Give ear, O ye heavens, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 1:3

The ox ... - The design of this comparison is to show the great stupidity and ingratitude of the Jews. Even the least sagacious and most stupid of the animals, destitute as they are of reason and conscience, evince knowledge anal submission far more than the professed people of God. The ox is a well known domestic animal, remarkable for patient willingness to toil, and for submission to his owner.Knoweth his owner - Recognizes, or is submissive to him.The ass - A well known animal, proverbial... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 1:1

Isaiah 1:1. The vision of Isaiah “It seems doubtful,” says Bishop Lowth, “whether this title belongs to the whole book, or only to the prophecy contained in this chapter. The former part of the title seems properly to belong to this particular prophecy: the latter part, which enumerates the kings of Judah, under whom Isaiah exercised his prophetical office, seems to appropriate it to the whole collection of prophecies delivered in the course of his ministry. Vitringa, to whom the world is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 1:2

Isaiah 1:2. Hear, O heavens, &c. “God is introduced as entering upon a solemn and public action, or pleading, before the whole world, against his disobedient people. The prophet, as herald, or officer, to proclaim the summons to the court, calls upon all created beings, celestial and terrestrial, to attend and bear witness to the truth of his plea, and the justice of his cause.” Bishop Lowth. See the same scene more fully displayed, Psalms 50:3-4. With the like invocation Moses begins... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 1:3

Isaiah 1:3. The ox knoweth his owner, &c. In these words the prophet amplifies “the gross insensibility of the disobedient Jews, by comparing them with the most heavy and stupid of all animals, yet not so insensible as they. Bochart has well illustrated the comparison, and shown the peculiar force of it. ‘He sets them lower than the beasts, and even than the stupidest of all beasts; for there is scarce any more so than the ox and the ass. Yet these acknowledge their master; they know... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 1:1-9

1:1-6:13JUDAH AN UNCLEAN PEOPLEGod judges Judah (1:1-9)The opening chapter introduces most of the main issues that the prophet is to deal with, and therefore is a summary of the overall message of the book. The scene is one of judgment. God is the judge, his people the accused, heaven and earth the witnesses. The charge is that Judah has rebelled against God. Even animals are grateful for what their masters do for them, but the people of Judah show no gratitude to their heavenly Father... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 1:1

The vision of Isaiah. This is the title of the whole book. he saw = he saw in vision. Hebrew. chaza , to gaze on, as in Isaiah 2:1 ; Isaiah 13:1 . Not the same word as in Isaiah 6:1 , Isaiah 6:6 ; Isaiah 21:6 , Isaiah 21:7 ; but Jehovah was the speaker. Isaiah's voice and pen, but Jehovah's words (Isaiah 1:2 ). concerning Judah and Jerusalem. This is the subject of the book. It is not concerning the or the: nor to other nations, except as they come in contact with "Judah and Jerusalem". Its... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 1:2

Hear, heavens. Figure of speech Apostrophe . App-6 . Reference to Pentateuch ( App-92 ). It commences like the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1 . See notes, p. 283), and is the commentary on it. Note the connection of the two books, Isaiah the necessary sequel to Deuteronomy. This verse was put on the title-page of early English Bibles, claiming the right of all to hear what Jehovah hath spoken. for. Note the reason given. the Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . hath spoken: i.e., articulately. Not... read more

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