Isaiah 19:13

The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof.

The princes {H8269} of Zoan {H6814} are become fools {H2973}, the princes {H8269} of Noph {H5297} are deceived {H5377}; they have also seduced {H8582} Egypt {H4714}, even they that are the stay {H6438} of the tribes {H7626} thereof.

The princes of Tzo'an have been fooled, the princes of Nof have been duped, Egypt's clan chiefs have led her astray.

The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.

The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Memphis are deceived; they have caused Egypt to go astray, that are the corner-stone of her tribes.

Commentary

Isaiah 19:13 is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Egypt, found in Isaiah chapter 19. This chapter details God's impending judgment upon Egypt, a once-mighty nation that often served as a tempting, yet unreliable, ally for Judah against the rising power of Assyria.

Context of Isaiah 19:13

In the historical context, Egypt was a significant world power, renowned for its ancient wisdom, administrative prowess, and strategic importance. The verse specifically names two prominent cities: Zoan (ancient Tanis) and Noph (ancient Memphis). Both were major political and religious centers in the Nile Delta region, and their "princes" or leaders were considered the epitome of Egyptian wisdom and counsel. The prophet Isaiah declares that these highly esteemed leaders have become "fools" and "deceived." This signifies a profound failure of their human wisdom and strategic foresight, leading to disastrous consequences for the nation. Their counsel, rather than stabilizing Egypt, has instead "seduced" or led the entire nation astray, undermining the very foundations that were supposed to be the "stay of the tribes thereof"—the pillars of national stability and strength.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Earthly Wisdom: A central theme is the inadequacy of human wisdom and counsel when it stands in opposition to or ignores divine will. The "princes of Zoan" and "Noph" represented the pinnacle of worldly intelligence, yet they are rendered foolish and deceived by God's decree. This underlines God's sovereignty over all human endeavors and plans, demonstrating that God makes the wisdom of this world foolishness.
  • Divine Judgment on Pride: The judgment on Egypt's leaders highlights God's response to national pride and self-reliance. When a nation or its leaders trust in their own strength and intellect rather than seeking divine guidance, they are prone to error and fall.
  • Leadership Accountability: The verse emphasizes the profound impact of leadership on a nation. The leaders, who were meant to be the "stay" or support of the people, instead became instruments of their deception and downfall, illustrating the heavy responsibility of those in power to guide righteously.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "seduced" (תָּעוּ - ta'u) carries the meaning of being led astray, wandering, or causing to err. It powerfully conveys that the princes' counsel was not merely mistaken, but actively misleading, causing the nation to stray from a path of stability and truth. The term "stay" (פִּנַּת - pinnat) refers to a corner or cornerstone, symbolizing the foundational support or pillar of the nation. The irony is that those who were meant to be the nation's cornerstones became its undoing.

Practical Application

Isaiah 19:13 serves as a timeless reminder that true wisdom and enduring stability come from God, not from human ingenuity alone. For individuals, it encourages us to seek divine wisdom in our decisions, rather than relying solely on our own understanding or the counsel of the world. It echoes the biblical principle to trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on your own understanding. For leaders in any sphere—government, business, or family—it underscores the immense responsibility to lead with integrity and discernment, recognizing that their decisions can profoundly impact those they govern. This verse is a powerful caution against human arrogance and a call to humility before God's sovereign plan.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 30:13

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause [their] images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 2:16

    Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.

  • Zechariah 10:4

    Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

  • Jeremiah 46:19

    O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.

  • Jeremiah 46:14

    Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.

  • 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?

  • 1 Samuel 14:38

    And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
← Back