And the Lord saith,.... The Septuagint version adds, "to me"; there being no wise and understanding man, nor prophet , to take up this affair, and open the cause of it, therefore the Lord undertakes it himself: the question was put to them, but they not answering it, the Lord does it,because they have forsaken my law, which I set before them; in a plain and easy manner, so as to be readily understood; yet this they attended not unto, but forsook it, neglected it, and cast it behind their backs.
Kimchi's note on the phrase, "before them", is,"not in heaven is it, nor beyond the sea is it;''see De 30:11:and have not obeyed my voice; in the law, and by the prophets:neither walked therein: according to it, as the Lord directed; they neither hearkened to the voice of the Lord, nor did as they were instructed by it.
Vid. T. Nedarim, fol. 81. 1. & Bava Metzia fol. 85.