They shall be ashamed of the oaks, &c.— The prophet here manifestly alludes to the ancient mode of idolatry in sacred groves and gardens, which consisted of tall, thick, and leafy trees, among which oaks were held in great honour from all antiquity. The 30th verse is remarkably elegant, where what was the pleasure and confidence of these idolaters, is made to denote their punishment. All the gardens in the east have water in them, which is so absolutely necessary, that without it everything in the summer would be parched up. This is a circumstance to which we should attend, if we would enter into the energy of the last clause, As a garden that hath no water. See Observations, p. 409. and Spencer, de Leg. Heb. lib. ii. c. 16.
Related Commentaries of Isaiah 1:29
Isaiah 1:29-30
29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.