Isaiah 19:11-16

11 The princes of 1Zoan are mere fools; The advice of Pharaoh's wisest advisers has become stupid. How can you men say to Pharaoh, "I am a son of the 2wise, a son of ancient kings "?
12 Well then, where are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what the LORD of hosts Has 3purposed against Egypt.
13 The princes of Zoan have acted foolishly, The princes of 4Memphis are deluded; Those who are the 5cornerstone of her tribes Have led Egypt astray.
14 The LORD has mixed within her a spirit of 6distortion; 7They have led Egypt astray in all that it does, As a 8drunken man staggers in his vomit.
15 There will be no work for Egypt 9Which its head or tail, its palm branch or bulrush, may do.
16 In that day the Egyptians will become like women, and they will tremble and be in 10dread because * of the 11waving of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which He is going to wave over them.

Isaiah 19:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 19

This chapter contains prophecies of various calamities that should come upon Egypt in a short time, and of the conversion of many of them to Christ in Gospel times. The calamities are many; the Lord's coming unto them, which their gods cannot prevent, nor stand before, nor save them, and at which the hearts of the Egyptians are dispirited, Isa 19:1 civil wars among themselves, Isa 19:2 want of counsel, which sends them to idols and wizards, but in vain, Isa 19:3 subjection to a cruel lord, Isa 19:4 drying up of their rivers and waters, so that the paper reeds wither, and fishes die; and hence no business for fishermen, nor for workers in flax, or weavers of nets, Isa 19:5-10,15 the stupidity of their princes and wise counsellors, given up by the Lord to a perverse spirit, so that they concerted wrong measures, and deceived the people, Isa 19:11-14 a general consternation among them, because of the hand and counsel of the Lord; and because of the Lord's people, the Jews, who were a terror to them, Isa 19:16,17 and then follows the prophecy of their conversion in later times, which is signified by their speaking the language of Canaan, and swearing to the Lord, Isa 19:18 by their erecting an altar, and a pillar to the Lord, which should be a sign and witness to him; and by their crying to him, and his sending them a Saviour, and a great one, Isa 19:19,20 by his being known unto them, by their offering sacrifice to him, and by his smiting and healing them Isa 19:21,22 and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy of that harmony, and agreement, and fellowship, that shall be between Jew and Gentile, between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel; and that the blessing of God should be upon them all, Isa 19:23-25.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Numbers 13:22; Psalms 78:12, 43; Isaiah 30:4
  • 2. Genesis 41:38, 39; 1 Kings 4:30; Acts 7:22
  • 3. Isaiah 14:24; Romans 9:17
  • 4. Jeremiah 2:16; Jeremiah 46:14, 19; Ezekiel 30:13
  • 5. Zechariah 10:4
  • 6. Proverbs 12:8; Matthew 17:17
  • 7. Isaiah 3:12; Isaiah 9:16
  • 8. Isaiah 28:7
  • 9. Isaiah 9:14, 15
  • 10. 2 Corinthians 5:11; Hebrews 10:31
  • 11. Isaiah 11:15

Footnotes 7

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