Isaiah 19 12

Isaiah 19:12 kjv

Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

Isaiah 19:12 nkjv

Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, And let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

Isaiah 19:12 niv

Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make known what the LORD Almighty has planned against Egypt.

Isaiah 19:12 esv

Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you that they might know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

Isaiah 19:12 nlt

Where are your wise counselors, Pharaoh?
Let them tell you what God plans,
what the LORD of Heaven's Armies is going to do to Egypt.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 12 Meaning

The verse describes a profound internal failing and confusion within Egypt, attributing it to divine action. It speaks of a loss of wise counsel and a resultant bewildered state, leading to the nation's distress and dependence on false saviors or gods.

Isaiah 19 12 Context

Chapter 19 of Isaiah focuses on a prophecy against Egypt. It details impending judgment, including internal strife and subjugation, leading to a state of despair and helplessness. The verse under consideration specifically addresses the leaders of Egypt and the spiritual vacuum created by their misguided decisions. This prophecy reflects the historical realities of Egypt's interactions with the empires of Isaiah's time, particularly Assyria and Babylon, and God's overarching judgment on nations that rely on their own strength and false gods rather than on Him.

Isaiah 19 12 Word analysis

• וְחַשַׁח יְשׂעֵי מִצְרָיִם (ve-ḥashash Yəšua‘ê Miṣrāyim):

  • וְ (ve): "And." Conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding descriptions of Egypt's turmoil.
  • חַשַׁח (ḥashash): Transliterated "ḥashash." Meaning "to grow faint," "to pine away," "to be dispirited," or "to waste away." Indicates a loss of vigor, strength, and courage. Scholars connect this to a feeling of being utterly demoralized.
  • יְשׂוּעֵי (yesu'ê): Possessive form of "yeshua" (יְשׁוּעָה) or "yeshu'ah" (יְשׁוּעָה) meaning "salvation" or "succor." In this context, it refers to those who are to be saved or to the means of salvation; their saviors.
  • מִצְרַיִם (Miṣrāyim): "Egypt." The nation of Egypt.
  • Phrase Analysis: The phrase translates to "and the saviors of Egypt," implying the leaders, counselors, or even false deities whom Egypt turned to for help. The "growth faintness" or "waste away" happens to them, or in them, signifying their impotence.

• וַאֲכַסֶּה (wa’ăḵaseh):

  • וַ (wa): "And."
  • אֲכַסֶּה (ăḵaseh): "I will cover," "I will hide," "I will blind." This verb carries a sense of obscuring or making unintelligible. It suggests divine intervention that incapacitates.
  • Meaning: "And I will hide" or "I will obscure." This highlights God's active role in the nation's confusion.

• עֵצָה (ʿêṣâ):

  • עֵצָה (êṣâ): "Counsel," "advice," "plan." Refers to wisdom and good decision-making.
  • Meaning: "Counsel."

• וּבְקַשׁוּ (u-vəqašû):

  • וּ (u): "And."
  • בְקַשׁוּ (bəqašû): "They shall seek." Third person masculine plural, imperfect of בָּקַשׁ (baqash), meaning "to seek," "to search for."
  • Meaning: "and they shall seek." This signifies a desperate search born from lack of understanding.

• מִקְרָאֶיהָ (miqra’êhā):

  • מִקְרָאֶיהָ (miqra’êhā): Possessive plural of מִקְרָא (miqra’). In this context, it can mean "callings," "gatherings," "occurrences," or even "prophecies." It can also refer to their interpretations or pronouncements. Some scholars suggest it means the "reading" of their sacred texts or oracles. Given the context of loss of counsel, it points to seeking meaning from their traditional sources.
  • Meaning: "its readings" or "its calls" or "its diviners." This implies turning to their prophets, priests, or even their astrological readings.

• וְאֶת־הַנְּבִיאִים (wə’êṯ-han·nəḇî’îm):

  • וְ (wə): "And."
  • אֶת־ (’êṯ-): Direct object marker.
  • הַנְּבִיאִים (han·nəḇî’îm): "the prophets." Refers to the official soothsayers, diviners, and oracles of Egypt.
  • Meaning: "and the prophets."

• וְאֶת־הַמְּעֹלְלִים (wə’êṯ-ham·mə‘ol·lîm):

  • וְ (wə): "And."
  • אֶת־ (’êṯ-): Direct object marker.
  • הַמְּעֹלְלִים (ham·mə‘ol·lîm): Transliterated "ham·meʻolalim." This is a less common word, often interpreted as those who perform magical rites, mutter incantations, or perhaps those who perform subtle, possibly occult, operations. It may relate to magic or sorcery.
  • Meaning: "and the workers of spells/occult practitioners."

• וְאֶת־הַבְּרוּעִים (wə’êṯ-hab·bə·rû‘îm):

  • וְ (wə): "And."
  • אֶת־ (’êṯ-): Direct object marker.
  • הַבְּרוּעִים (hab·bə·rû‘îm): Transliterated "hab-beru'im." Another difficult word, it might mean "enchanters," "sorcerers," "those who whisper (charms)," or "those skilled in hidden arts." It could refer to necromancers or those who commune with spirits.
  • Meaning: "and the soothsayers/enchanters."

• Summary of Word Analysis: The verse paints a grim picture of Egypt's leadership and its spiritual advisors in utter disarray. Their perceived "saviors" are failing, God is obscuring their understanding, and in their desperation, they turn to the last vestiges of their occult and divinatory practices, which are equally useless.

Isaiah 19 12 Bonus section

The verse contrasts sharply with passages where God promises to guide His people with wisdom and understanding (e.g., Psa 32:8). The plight of Egypt serves as a stark example of what happens when a nation or individual rejects divine guidance and places trust in their own intellect, their traditions, or false spiritual powers. The term "saviors of Egypt" could ironically refer to their gods (like Amun or Ptah) or their rulers, none of whom could provide true deliverance. This confusion and reliance on the occult are echoes of a broader theme in Scripture where nations fall because they have forsaken the Lord and embraced idolatry and deceptive practices.

Isaiah 19 12 Commentary

This verse depicts a total breakdown of wisdom and leadership in Egypt, orchestrated by God's judgment. The nation, unable to find sound counsel among its wise men or rulers, descends into a state of bewildered desperation. They frantically seek guidance from ineffective sources—their own prophets, soothsayers, and magic workers—all of whom have become powerless or deceptive. This illustrates the ultimate futility of relying on human or demonic wisdom when God has withdrawn His favor and discernment. The Egyptian pantheon and their priestly class, renowned for their knowledge and rituals, are exposed as empty when faced with divine judgment. It serves as a powerful warning against seeking guidance apart from God's revealed will.