Isaiah 9:15

15 The older leaders and important men were the head, and the prophets who speak lies were the tail.

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 the one who had struck them; they did not follow the Lord All-Powerful.

14 So the Lord cut off Israel's head and tail, taking away both the branch and stalk in one day.

15 The older leaders and important men were the head, and the prophets who speak lies were the tail.

16 Those who led the people led them in the wrong direction, and those who followed them were destroyed.

17 So the Lord is not happy with the young people, nor will he show mercy to the orphans and widows. are very evil; they all speak lies. But the Lord is still angry; his hand is still raised to strike down the people.