Isaiah 9:15

15 The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.

Isaiah 9:15 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 9:15

The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head
The elder in office, not in age; and who, on account of his office, dignity, and riches, is honoured by men, is of a venerable countenance himself, and is reverenced when seen and looked upon by others, and received by persons with pleasure and cheerfulness; as the phrase used signifies. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "who admire", or "have" men's "persons in admiration"; which is the character Jude gives of false teachers, ( Jude 1:16 ) who are next described: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail;
so called from their low extract, being often of a mean original and descent; or rather from the meanness of their spirits, their flattery of princes and great men, to whom they tell lies, and prophesy smooth and false things, for the sake of a little sordid gain, in allusion to dogs that wag their tails at their masters; or from the poison of their doctrines, some creatures having poison in their tails, and do much mischief with them. See ( Revelation 9:19 ) .

Isaiah 9:15 In-Context

13 But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.

14 So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.

15 The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.

16 For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

17 Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.