Isaiah 19:11

The Burden against Egypt · Isaiah 19:1–15
Read Isaiah 19

Translations

Modern
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”?
Traditional
Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
Literal
Indeed the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh has become dull. How can you say to Pharaoh, “A son of wise men, I am a son of kings from times before?
Latin
Stulti principes Taneos, sapientes consiliarii Pharaonis dederunt consilium insipiens. Quomodo dicetis Pharaoni: Filius sapientium ego, filius regum antiquorum?

Original

Hebrew
English
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”?

Notes

  • Zoan was the capital of Egypt, located in the Nile delta (see Numbers 13:22).

  • princes … wise counselors: The king relied on the strategies and advice of wise men (Isaiah 19:12; see Genesis 41:39–40).

  • The officials of Zoan were famous for their wise ancestors, and Egypt often boasted about them.

The prophet mocked the leaders and wise men of Egypt, who could not prevent the disaster.

This section includes predictions of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene shifts from the crisis in 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel; see study note on Isaiah 7:1–25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37).

Events

People

Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during Hezekiah's reign

Places

Zoan: An ancient Egyptian city, probably Tanis

Glossary

Boast Book of Jeremiah Counsel, Counselor Isaiah, Book of Nile River Reed Zoan

Topics

Egypt: had Princes and Counsellors Sorcery: Practiced by the Egyptians War: Evils of Zoan: Wise Men From, Were Counselors of Pharaoh