Isaiah 1:3

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

The ox knoweth his owner ( ), and the donkey his master's crib - the stall where it is fed (). Spiritually, the Word and ordinances. The mute brute teaches a lesson to man. It recognizes man, its master; whereas man often disowns his Lord.

(But) Israel - the whole nation: Judah as well as Israel in the restricted sense. God regards His covenant people in their designed unity.

Doth not know - namely, his owner: as the parallellism requires; i:e., does not recognize Him as such (, "a peculiar treasure unto me above all people," answering to my people here). This awful and stupid ingratitude reached its height in the non-recognition of Christ by "His own" (John 1:10).

Doth not consider - attend to his Master (), notwithstanding the spiritual food which He provides: answering to crib in the parallel clause ().