Isaiah 19:14 kjv
The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
Isaiah 19:14 nkjv
The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst; And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
Isaiah 19:14 niv
The LORD has poured into them a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit.
Isaiah 19:14 esv
The LORD has mingled within her a spirit of confusion, and they will make Egypt stagger in all its deeds, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
Isaiah 19:14 nlt
The LORD has sent a spirit of foolishness on them,
so all their suggestions are wrong.
They cause Egypt to stagger
like a drunk in his vomit.
Isaiah 19 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 19:1 | Oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and will come to Egypt; | Prophecy of judgment |
| Isa 19:2 | ...the Egyptians against the Egyptians; and they will fight, | Civil strife within Egypt |
| Isa 19:3 | ...the spirit of Egypt will be dissolved within her, | Spiritual confusion |
| Psa 107:40 | He pours contempt upon princes | Divine judgment |
| Psa 119:126 | It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken your law. | God's sovereign action |
| Prov 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. | Destructive nature of intoxication |
| Jer 51:7 | Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD’s hand, making all the earth drunken. | Nations made drunk with sin/judgment |
| Jer 51:57 | I will make them drunk, so that they may stagger and sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake, declares the LORD. | Punishment of enemies |
| Ezek 30:6 | Thus says the Lord GOD: ... they shall fall into the midst of it; | Divine judgment and scattering |
| Ezek 30:13 | Thus says the Lord GOD: ...I will shatter their idols and destroy the images in Memphis. | Judgment on false gods |
| Joel 2:2 | a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! | Day of judgment imagery |
| Nah 3:4 | "Woe to her, the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder-- no end to the prey! | Judgment on oppressive nations |
| Nah 3:15 | There your fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down. | Violent destruction |
| Zech 12:2 | "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples... | Divine judgment on enemies |
| Zech 14:13 | And there shall be a great upheaval in the camp of Israel on that day. | Future upheaval |
| Matt 26:41 | ...the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. | Spiritual weakness |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. | God's character contrasted with confusion |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; | Attributes of the Spirit |
| 1 Pet 4:12 | Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial... | Trials as spiritual tests |
Isaiah 19 verses
Isaiah 19 14 Meaning
The LORD has mixed a spirit of confusion in her midst. They make Egypt stagger in every deed, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
Isaiah 19 14 Context
Isaiah chapter 19 presents an oracle of judgment against Egypt. The chapter details a series of calamities and internal strife that will befall the nation due to its pride and reliance on false gods. This specific verse describes the Lord actively bringing about widespread confusion and disorientation within Egypt. It depicts a nation reeling under divine judgment, becoming unstable and ineffective, likened to a severely intoxicated person. This serves as a prelude to Egypt's eventual humbling and the possibility of its future restoration and worship of the LORD.
Isaiah 19 14 Word Analysis
- וְהִפִיג (və·hî·p̄îḡ): "and will diffuse," "and will spread," "and will mix" (a spirit). This implies a pervasive, active instillation of something.
- רוּחַ (rû·aḥ): "spirit," "wind," "breath." Here it refers to a mental or emotional state, a disposition.
- מְשֻׁקָּה (mə·šû·qāh): "drunkenness," "intoxication." Refers to a state of impaired judgment and self-control.
- בְּקִרְבָּהּ (bə·qir·bāh): "in her midst," "within her." Denotes the pervasive nature of this spiritual confusion affecting the entire nation.
- וְהִתְעוּ (wə·hɪt·‘û): "and will cause to err," "and will lead astray." Highlights the effect of making them stumble in their decision-making.
- אֶת־מִצְרַיִם (‘ɛṯ-·miṣ·rêm): "Egypt." The object of God's judgment.
- בְּכָל־מַעֲשֵׂהוּ (bə·ḵōl-·mā‘·śē·hû): "in every deed," "in all his doing." Suggests that all their actions will be characterized by this confusion.
- כְּהִתְעוֹלֵל (kə·hɪt·‘ō·lêl): "as one who staggers," "as a drunkard." A simile for the state of extreme disorientation.
- שִׁכּוֹר (šî·kōr): "drunkard," "one who is drunk." Emphasizes the severity of the state.
- בְּקִיא (bə·qîʾ): "vomit." A graphic image signifying complete incapacitation and degradation.
Words Group Analysis:
- "Spirit of confusion": The LORD is actively inserting a spirit that leads to utter mental disarray. This isn't a natural failing but a divinely imposed state for judgment.
- "Mix/Diffuse a spirit": This signifies an intentional and comprehensive infiltration of confusion throughout the entirety of the nation's leadership and populace.
- "Stagger in every deed": All actions, decisions, and endeavors of Egypt will be affected by this loss of clarity, leading to consistent failure and incoherence.
- "Drunken man staggers in his vomit": This is a powerful and unflattering simile depicting total loss of control, self-disgust, and abject humiliation resulting from the spirit of confusion.
Isaiah 19 14 Bonus Section
The "spirit" mentioned here is not necessarily a demon but a pervasive divine influence or disposition sent upon a nation to enact judgment. This parallels how God gave Israel a "spirit of stupor" (Deut 29:4) or how wisdom is from God. The intense imagery of staggering in vomit highlights the shame and utter helplessness that judgment brings, contrasting sharply with Egypt's historical pride. This oracle against Egypt is also part of a broader theme in Isaiah where nations are judged and, in some instances, ultimately brought to acknowledge the LORD.
Isaiah 19 14 Commentary
The LORD directly intervenes in Egypt's affairs, injecting a spirit that incapacitates their decision-making. This confusion is profound, likened to extreme intoxication where every action is flawed. The imagery is visceral, emphasizing Egypt's complete loss of stability and direction under divine judgment. It shows God's sovereign power to destabilize nations when they turn away from Him and trust in their own strength or idols. This confusion is not arbitrary but a consequence of their rebellion, rendering them incapable of coherent action or self-preservation.