Isaiah 19 15

Isaiah 19:15 kjv

Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.

Isaiah 19:15 nkjv

Neither will there be any work for Egypt, Which the head or tail, Palm branch or bulrush, may do.

Isaiah 19:15 niv

There is nothing Egypt can do? head or tail, palm branch or reed.

Isaiah 19:15 esv

And there will be nothing for Egypt that head or tail, palm branch or reed, may do.

Isaiah 19:15 nlt

There is nothing Egypt can do.
All are helpless ?
the head and the tail,
the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.

Isaiah 19 verses

Isaiah 19 15 Meaning

The verse speaks of those who bring vexation or cause confusion. It emphasizes that there is no one truly insightful or able to grasp understanding among those who would create this disturbance. They are depicted as coming to nothing when challenged.

Isaiah 19 15 Context

Chapter 19 of Isaiah is a prophecy concerning Egypt. It foretells a period of internal turmoil and subjugation for Egypt, brought about by a harsh ruler. This specific verse continues the theme of the consequences of rejecting true wisdom and relying on their own understanding or flawed counsel. The prophecy highlights how God sovereignly orchestrates events, leading to confusion and ruin for those who oppose His will or trust in their own capabilities, paralleling a theme found throughout Isaiah concerning the futility of relying on worldly powers.

Isaiah 19 15 Word Analysis

• Who (מִי - mi)

  • Interrogative pronoun. In this context, it introduces rhetorical questions to emphasize the absence of anyone possessing true insight.

• shall

  • Indicates future action, suggesting a consequence that will unfold.

• bring (יוֹלִיךְ - yow-leek)

  • Root implies "to lead," "to cause to go," or "to bring." Here it signifies initiating or causing trouble or vexation.

• that

  • Connects the agent to the action or state of being.

• which

  • Relative pronoun, referring to "confusion" or "vexation."

• shall

  • Future tense again, highlighting the inevitability of the outcome.

• vexation (מְבוּכָה - mevukhah)

  • Comes from a root meaning "to be perplexed," "confounded," or "moved." It suggests mental disarray, confusion, or distress.

• unto

  • Preposition indicating direction or result.

• them

  • Refers to the people or entities causing the vexation, or the nation suffering from it, depending on the nuanced reading, but here it denotes the recipients of the "vexation."

• And (וְ - waw)

  • Conjunction.

• there (אֵין - eyn)

  • Absence; "there is not."

• is

  • In this negation, signifies existence.

• he (אִישׁ - eesh)

  • "Man," "person," or "one." Used here in a generic sense, meaning "anyone."

• that

  • Connects "man" with his quality or action.

• hath

  • Archaic form of "has."

• wisdom (חָכְמָה - chokhmah)

  • Skill, shrewdness, intelligence, and deep understanding, particularly that which is divinely given.

• understanding (תְבוּנָה - tevunah)

  • Insight, discernment, prudence, and ability to comprehend.

• understand (יָבִין - yavin)

  • Root means "to understand," "discern," or "have insight."

• Or (אוֹ - ow)

  • Connects two alternatives.

• any

  • Indicates any instance or degree.

• seek (יְבַקֵּשׁ - yevaqesh)

  • Root meaning "to seek," "look for," "inquire."

• any

  • Any quantity or object.

• seek (יְבַקֵּשׁ - yevaqesh)

  • Repeated verb for emphasis on the pursuit.

• Which

  • Relative pronoun referring to counsel or insight.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Who shall bring that which shall vexation unto them": This phrase characterizes the entities responsible for causing distress or confusion to Egypt. The emphasis is on their destructive effect.
  • "And there is he that hath wisdom, and understand": This establishes a direct contrast. It posits the existence of true wisdom, yet immediately denies that such a person exists among those causing the vexation.
  • "Or any understand and seek any": This reiterates the deficiency in insight and the inability to acquire or apply any true wisdom or understanding. The lack of seeking is as significant as the lack of possessing wisdom.

Isaiah 19 15 Bonus Section

The idea of a "spirit of dizziness" or "spirit of confusion" (from the preceding verse, Isaiah 19:14) is important here. Those causing vexation are not necessarily intentionally evil, but rather instruments of divine judgment, operating under a divinely permitted state of mental confusion. This highlights that perceived human agency in bringing chaos is often tied to a broader divine orchestration for judgment or discipline, as seen in numerous Old Testament prophecies where nations or individuals are described as being given over to their confusion because of their spiritual blindness. The absence of anyone who can "seek and find" also points to the inability to escape the divine judgment once it is enacted. True discernment and the ability to find a way out are presented as gifts from God, which are withheld from those operating outside His will.

Isaiah 19 15 Commentary

This verse is a powerful statement about the utter failure of those who rely on human wisdom and planning when they oppose God's purposes. In the context of Isaiah 19, Egypt's downfall is described, and this verse clarifies that their rulers or internal factions that are causing division and suffering are characterized by a profound lack of true understanding. They are confused themselves and unable to extricate themselves or the nation from the troubles they face. This aligns with the biblical principle that true wisdom originates from God and that human cleverness or self-reliance will ultimately lead to confusion and ruin when detached from divine guidance. It underscores the sovereignty of God, who can blind the eyes and confuse the minds of those who reject Him.