Yesaya 1:3

1:3 An ox recognizes its owner,

a donkey recognizes where its owner puts its food; ¹ 

but Israel does not recognize me, ² 

my people do not understand.”

Yesaya 32:4

32:4 The mind that acts rashly will possess discernment ³ 

and the tongue that stutters will speak with ease and clarity.

Yesaya 41:20

41:20 I will do this so ⁴  people ⁵  will observe and recognize,

so they will pay attention and understand

that the Lord’s power ⁶  has accomplished this,

and that the Holy One of Israel has brought it into being.” ⁷ 

Yesaya 60:16

60:16 You will drink the milk of nations;

you will nurse at the breasts of kings. ⁸ 

Then you will recognize that I, the Lord, am your deliverer,

your protector, ⁹  the powerful ruler of Jacob. ¹⁰ 

[1:3]  ¹ tn Heb “and the donkey the feeding trough of its owner.” The verb in the first line does double duty in the parallelism.

[1:3]  ² tn Although both verbs have no object, the parallelism suggests that Israel fails to recognize the Lord as the one who provides for their needs. In both clauses, the placement of “Israel” and “my people” at the head of the clause focuses the reader’s attention on the rebellious nation (C. van der Merwe, J. Naudé, J. Kroeze, A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar, 346-47).

[32:4]  ³ tn Heb “the heart of rashness will understand knowledge”; cf. NAB “The flighty will become wise and capable.”

[41:20]  ⁴ tn The words “I will do this” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The Hebrew text has here simply, “in order that.”

[41:20]  ⁵ tn Heb “they”; NAB, NRSV “that all may see”; CEV, NLT “Everyone will see.”

[41:20]  ⁶ tn Heb “hand” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV).

[41:20]  ⁷ tn Or “created it” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV); TEV “has made it happen.”

[60:16]  ⁸ sn The nations and kings are depicted as a mother nursing her children. Restored Zion will be nourished by them as she receives their wealth as tribute.

[60:16]  ⁹ tn Or “redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.

[60:16]  ¹⁰ sn See 1:24 and 49:26.