Isaiah 19:14

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.

The LORD {H3068} hath mingled {H4537} a perverse {H5773} spirit {H7307} in the midst {H7130} thereof: and they have caused Egypt {H4714} to err {H8582} in every work {H4639} thereof, as a drunken {H7910} man staggereth {H8582} in his vomit {H6892}.

ADONAI has mixed up their minds with a spirit that distorts judgment, so they make Egypt stagger in whatever she does, like a drunk staggering in his vomit.

The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.

Jehovah hath mingled a spirit of perverseness in the midst of her; and they have caused Egypt to go astray in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

Isaiah 19:14 (KJV) delivers a powerful and graphic depiction of God's judgment upon ancient Egypt, illustrating a state of profound confusion and disarray.

Context of Isaiah 19:14

Chapter 19 of Isaiah is a specific prophecy, or "burden," concerning Egypt, a powerful nation that often influenced Israel's history. This chapter details a series of judgments that the LORD would bring upon Egypt, leading to internal strife, economic collapse, and a loss of wisdom among its leaders. The judgments are not merely political or natural disasters; they are presented as direct divine interventions designed to humble Egypt and ultimately, in later verses of the chapter, to turn some Egyptians to the LORD. Verse 14 specifically describes the mental and spiritual state of Egyptian leadership and society under God's hand of judgment, following earlier verses that mention the drying up of the Nile and the failure of their wise counselors.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The verse explicitly states, "The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof." This highlights God's active role in orchestrating the confusion and downfall of nations. It's not accidental chaos but a deliberate act of divine judgment. This theme is echoed in other biblical accounts of God's control over world powers, such as in Daniel 2:21 where He removes kings and sets up kings.
  • Spiritual and Intellectual Confusion: The "perverse spirit" signifies a deep-seated disorientation that affects the very ability of Egypt's leaders to govern effectively. This leads to them "caus[ing] Egypt to err in every work thereof," implying widespread failure in policy, administration, and daily life.
  • Humiliation and Disgrace: The vivid simile, "as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit," conveys extreme humiliation and a complete lack of dignity. It paints a picture of a once-proud nation reduced to a state of helpless, self-inflicted disgrace, unable to stand or act coherently. This imagery underscores the severity and demeaning nature of God's judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "perverse" here, 'iwwah (עִוָּה), implies distortion, twisting, or perversion. It suggests that the spirit God instilled was one that twisted their judgment, leading them astray. It's not just confusion, but a deliberate spiritual and intellectual disorientation. The phrase "mingled a perverse spirit" can also be understood as God causing a spirit of dizziness or vertigo, further emphasizing the loss of clear thinking.

The comparison to a "drunken man staggereth in his vomit" uses the Hebrew term qî’ (קִיא) for vomit, which is a strong and visceral image. This isn't merely stumbling from drink, but a state of utter degradation and helplessness, where one is incapacitated by their own actions or condition. This graphic portrayal emphasizes the complete breakdown of order and dignity in Egypt.

Practical Application and Reflection

Isaiah 19:14 serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereign control over the affairs of nations and the consequences of spiritual rebellion or idolatry. For contemporary readers, it highlights several points:

  • Warning Against Spiritual Blindness: When people or nations turn away from God, they risk having their wisdom confounded. What seems like sound judgment can become foolishness in God's eyes, leading to self-destructive paths. The Bible frequently warns against such spiritual blindness, where the god of this world blinds the minds of unbelievers.
  • Humility Before God: The passage underscores the need for humility. No matter how powerful or wise a nation or individual may seem, God can bring about confusion and dismantle their plans.
  • Consequences of Sin: While the judgment on Egypt was specific, the principle remains: persistent rebellion against divine truth can lead to internal chaos and ultimate disgrace, both individually and corporately.

This verse, though ancient, powerfully illustrates the depths of divine judgment and the utter helplessness of those who find themselves under its sway, unable to discern right from wrong or find stable footing.

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.

  • Ezekiel 14:7

    For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

  • Ezekiel 14:9

    And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

  • 1 Kings 22:20

    And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

  • 1 Kings 22:23

    Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:11

    And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

  • Isaiah 47:10

    For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me.

  • Isaiah 47:11

    Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, [which] thou shalt not know.

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