Isaiah 19:11

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?

Surely the princes {H8269} of Zoan {H6814} are fools {H191}, the counsel {H6098} of the wise {H2450} counsellors {H3289} of Pharaoh {H6547} is become brutish {H1197}: how say {H559} ye unto Pharaoh {H6547}, I am the son {H1121} of the wise {H2450}, the son {H1121} of ancient {H6924} kings {H4428}?

The princes of Tzo'an are utter fools, Pharaoh's wisest counselors give stupid advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I'm a sage, descended from kings of old."

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”?

The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the counsel of the wisest counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Isaiah 19:11 delivers a scathing indictment of the supposed wisdom and leadership of ancient Egypt, specifically targeting the influential city of Zoan.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Egypt found in Isaiah chapter 19. The prophet Isaiah foretells a time of divine judgment upon Egypt, which will bring about internal strife, economic collapse, and a humbling of its proud and self-sufficient spirit. Egypt, a powerful nation known for its advanced civilization, grand architecture, and famed wisdom, is depicted as relying on its own strength and intellect rather than on the Lord. Zoan (also known as Tanis) was a significant administrative and royal city in the Nile Delta, a hub of learning and counsel, making its leaders and advisors particularly prominent targets of this prophecy.

Key Themes

  • The Folly of Human Wisdom: The verse powerfully declares that the "princes of Zoan are fools" and the counsel of Pharaoh's "wise counsellors is become brutish." This highlights a central biblical theme: human wisdom, no matter how esteemed or ancient, is ultimately foolish when it opposes or ignores God's sovereign plan.
  • Divine Judgment: God's judgment is impartial and extends to even the most powerful and seemingly unassailable nations. He exposes the emptiness of human pride and self-reliance, demonstrating His ultimate control over history and nations.
  • Pride and Arrogance Humbled: The boast, "I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings," reflects the deep-seated pride of the Egyptian elite, who gloried in their heritage and intellect. God's judgment brings this arrogance to nothing, revealing their supposed wisdom as utterly useless in the face of His decree. This serves as a warning against being wise in one's own eyes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "fools" is kesilim (כְּסִילִים), which often implies a moral and spiritual deficiency, not just a lack of intelligence. These are people who are obstinate in their folly and resistant to true wisdom. The term "brutish" (בַּעַר - ba'ar) suggests a state of being animal-like in understanding, lacking discernment and behaving without reason. This stark contrast emphasizes the complete degradation of their once-revered wisdom.

Practical Application

Isaiah 19:11 remains relevant today as a timeless caution against misplaced trust. It reminds us that:

  1. True Wisdom Comes from God: Relying solely on human intellect, political maneuvering, or inherited prestige without acknowledging God's sovereignty leads to inevitable failure and disgrace. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that God makes the wisdom of this world foolish.
  2. Humility is Essential: Pride in one's own achievements, lineage, or intelligence can blind individuals and nations to divine truth and lead to catastrophic errors in judgment.
  3. God's Sovereignty Endures: Despite human plans and boasts, God's purposes will ultimately prevail. This verse encourages believers to place their trust in the Lord, whose wisdom is unfailing and whose counsel stands forever.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 13:22

    And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, [were]. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

  • Acts 7:22

    And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

  • Isaiah 30:4

    For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

  • 1 Kings 4:30

    And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

  • Psalms 78:43

    How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

  • Genesis 41:38

    And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]?

  • Genesis 41:39

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]:

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