Isaiah 19:3

KJV

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the spirit {H7307} of Egypt {H4714} shall fail {H1238} in the midst {H7130} thereof; and I will destroy {H1104} the counsel {H6098} thereof: and they shall seek {H1875} to the idols {H457}, and to the charmers {H328}, and to them that have familiar spirits {H178}, and to the wizards {H3049}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The courage of Egypt will ebb away within it, I will reduce its counsel to confusion. They will consult idols and mediums, ghosts and spirits.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.

American Standard Version

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst of it; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek unto the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 19:3 powerfully depicts the complete spiritual and national collapse of Egypt, a direct consequence of divine judgment. As their inherent strength and strategic wisdom utterly fail, the Egyptians, in their profound desperation, turn away from sound counsel and instead seek answers and guidance from forbidden occult practices, including idols, charmers, familiar spirits, and wizards, thereby highlighting the absolute futility of human reliance apart from God's sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 19 initiates a series of "burdens" or oracles against foreign nations, specifically targeting Egypt, a nation that historically played a significant role in Israel's geopolitical landscape, often serving as a tempting but unreliable ally or a formidable adversary. The chapter opens with a dramatic portrayal of the Lord's swift descent upon Egypt, causing its idols to tremble and its heart to melt within it, signaling the commencement of divine judgment ([Isaiah 19:1](/isaiah/19-1 "Isaiah 19:1 - God's Judgment on Egypt")). Following this initial declaration, the prophecy details a cascade of internal strife, economic devastation, and the utter failure of all human wisdom and counsel. Verse 3 specifically hones in on the internal spiritual and psychological breakdown of the nation, leading its people to a desperate and misguided search for answers in forbidden realms. This spiritual unraveling sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which describe the complete societal disintegration and, remarkably, a future turning of some Egyptians to the Lord ([Isaiah 19:19-22](/isaiah/19-19-22 "Isaiah 19:19-22 - Egypt Turns to the Lord")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt stood as a preeminent regional power, celebrated for its advanced civilization, profound wisdom, and formidable military might. For the nation of Israel, Egypt frequently represented a significant temptation to seek political and military alliances rather than placing their sole trust in the Lord's protection, a theme often condemned by the prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")). This prophecy in Isaiah underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over even the most powerful human empires. Culturally, Egypt, like many societies in the ancient Near East, was deeply immersed in various forms of divination, magic, and polytheistic idol worship—practices explicitly and repeatedly forbidden by the Mosaic Law for Israel ([Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9-12 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Abominable Practices")). The verse highlights that in their time of profound distress, the Egyptians would predictably resort to these very practices, thereby demonstrating their spiritual blindness and the depth of their desperation when their own wisdom and strength proved inadequate.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, illustrating that God's active hand can decisively dismantle even the most formidable human structures and strategic plans. The declaration "I will destroy the counsel thereof" underscores that no human wisdom, political maneuvering, or national scheme can ultimately stand against the Lord's supreme will, a truth consistently affirmed throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations"). Secondly, it highlights the **Futility of Idolatry and Occultism**. When human wisdom and strength inevitably fail, the natural inclination of a people apart from God is to turn to false gods and forbidden spiritual practices. The desperate seeking of "idols," "charmers," "familiar spirits," and "wizards" reveals the profound spiritual vacuum and the inherently deceptive nature of such pursuits, which ultimately offer no true solution, peace, or deliverance. This reflects the consistent biblical warning against seeking guidance outside of God's revealed truth, as powerfully articulated in [Leviticus 19:31](/leviticus/19-31 "Leviticus 19:31 - Do Not Turn to Mediums"). Lastly, the verse vividly portrays **Spiritual Decline and Desperation**, where the "spirit of Egypt shall fail," indicating a profound loss of national morale, courage, and collective identity. This spiritual void inevitably leads to reliance on deceptive and demonic sources, illustrating the destructive and self-defeating path of a nation that rejects divine counsel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fail (Hebrew, _bâqaq'_):** From H1238, a primitive root meaning "to pour out," "to empty," or figuratively, "to depopulate." In this context, it signifies a complete emptying or voiding of the spirit, indicating a profound loss of courage, vitality, and national resolve. It implies not merely a physical or economic collapse, but a deep spiritual and moral disintegration, leaving the nation utterly devoid of its former strength and purpose.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _bâlaʻ'_):** From H1104, a primitive root meaning "to make away with (specifically by swallowing)" or generally "to destroy." When God declares, "I will destroy the counsel thereof," it means He will utterly consume, swallow up, or bring to nothing Egypt's strategic plans, political wisdom, and national guidance. This divine action renders all their human ingenuity and foresight completely ineffective and futile, demonstrating God's absolute power over human endeavors.
* **seek (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** From H1875, a primitive root meaning "to tread or frequent," "to follow (for pursuit or search)," or "to inquire." Here, it denotes an earnest, even desperate, seeking or consulting. The Egyptians will diligently inquire of these forbidden sources, highlighting their profound need for answers and their misguided, yet intense, efforts to find them in places explicitly condemned by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof;":** This initial clause describes an internal, national spiritual and psychological collapse. The "spirit" (rûwach) refers to the very essence, courage, and vitality of the nation—its collective will and morale. Its "failing" (bâqaq) signifies a complete draining or emptying of this national vigor, leading to a state of utter despondency, helplessness, and internal disunity. The judgment begins from within, eroding the very core of Egyptian identity and strength.
* **"and I will destroy the counsel thereof:":** This is a direct and powerful declaration of divine judgment and active intervention. God Himself will actively "destroy" (bâlaʻ) or utterly consume Egypt's strategic "counsel" ('êtsâh), encompassing their plans, wisdom, and political advice. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs, demonstrating unequivocally that no human wisdom, military strategy, or political scheme can ultimately succeed or stand against His determined and sovereign will.
* **"and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.":** This final, extensive clause details the desperate and misguided response of the Egyptians to their national crisis and the failure of their own wisdom. Having lost their own counsel and spirit, they predictably turn to forbidden spiritual practices. "Idols" ('ĕlîyl) are false gods, utterly worthless and vain. "Charmers" ('aṭ) refer to those who practice soft incantations or magic. "Familiar spirits" ('ôwb) denote necromancers or mediums who claim to communicate with the dead. "Wizards" (yiddᵉʻônîy) are those who claim secret knowledge or engage in divination. This comprehensive catalog of occult practices underscores the depth of their spiritual depravity and their futile, yet desperate, search for answers and power outside of the one true God.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 19:3 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with vivid impact. **Personification** is clearly evident in the phrase "the spirit of Egypt shall fail," attributing a human quality of despair, collapse, and internal weakening to an entire nation. The declaration "I will destroy the counsel thereof" is a powerful statement of **Divine Agency**, emphasizing God's direct, active, and sovereign role in bringing about this judgment, not merely allowing it to happen. The subsequent listing of "idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards" utilizes **Polysyndeton**, the deliberate repetition of the conjunction "and to the." This rhetorical device creates a sense of overwhelming accumulation, emphasizing the widespread, desperate, and comprehensive nature of their turn to forbidden and deceptive practices. This list also functions as a form of **Enumeration**, systematically detailing the various forms of spiritual deception and occultism they will embrace. The overall tone of the verse carries a strong element of **Irony**, as a nation once renowned for its profound wisdom and advanced civilization is reduced to seeking counsel from sources explicitly condemned as foolish, deceptive, and ultimately powerless by the true God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 19:3 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and the inherent futility of human wisdom and spiritual alternatives when divorced from Him. It underscores that national strength, cultural wisdom, and strategic planning are ultimately fragile, transient, and utterly subject to divine will. When a people or nation rejects the true God or fails to seek His counsel, they inevitably descend into spiritual desperation, turning to empty idols and deceptive occult practices, which only deepen their bondage, accelerate their decline, and lead to further destruction. This passage is a stark and timeless reminder that true wisdom, lasting security, and genuine guidance are found exclusively in the Lord, and any deviation from Him leads to spiritual and societal collapse.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominable Practices Forbidden") - "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord."
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations") - "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."
* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion as Witchcraft") - "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 19:3 offers profoundly relevant and timeless lessons for individuals, communities, and nations today. In a world characterized by pervasive uncertainty, rapid change, and complex challenges, there is a constant and powerful temptation to rely solely on human ingenuity, sophisticated political solutions, economic strategies, or even various forms of modern "spiritualities" that promise quick answers, personal empowerment, or ultimate control. This verse powerfully warns against such misplaced reliance, reminding us that true wisdom, lasting stability, and ultimate security come only from God. When we face personal crises, national challenges, or global upheavals, our first and most crucial inclination should not be to seek counsel from worldly systems, fleeting cultural trends, or deceptive spiritual practices, but to humble ourselves, acknowledge God's sovereignty, and earnestly seek the Lord and His revealed Word. The "idols" of our age might manifest as an idolatry of money, power, fame, technological advancement, scientific materialism, or even self-help philosophies that subtly or overtly exclude God. The "charmers" and "wizards" could be contemporary forms of occultism, New Age practices, or any ideology that promises truth, guidance, or peace apart from the living God. This passage calls us to profound spiritual discernment, unwavering trust in God's absolute sovereignty, and a steadfast commitment to His revealed Word as our sole and sufficient source of truth and guidance, ensuring that our spirit does not "fail" but is continually renewed and strengthened in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "counsel" or sources of wisdom do I tend to rely on most when facing personal or national crises, and how does this reliance compare to seeking God's wisdom and guidance?**
* **In what ways do contemporary society and culture present "idols," "charmers," or "wizards" that people turn to for answers and security apart from God?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a spirit of unwavering trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem to indicate the "failure" of all human solutions and the world appears to be unraveling?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be tempted to compromise my faith by seeking guidance or comfort from sources or practices that are subtly or overtly contrary to biblical truth?**

### FAQ
**Why is God so harsh on Egypt in this prophecy?**

Answer: God's judgment on Egypt, as vividly portrayed in [Isaiah 19](/isaiah/19 "Isaiah 19 - Prophecy Against Egypt"), is not arbitrary but arises from several profound theological and historical factors. Firstly, it serves as a powerful demonstration of His absolute sovereignty over all nations, even those as powerful, self-sufficient, and ancient as Egypt. This judgment functions as a stark warning against human pride and reliance on worldly strength, wisdom, or alliances rather than on God alone. Secondly, Egypt frequently tempted Israel to form unholy political and military alliances, leading God's people to trust in human might instead of divine protection, thus drawing them away from their covenant with the Lord. The judgment on Egypt serves as a vivid object lesson for Israel and all nations that God alone is to be feared and trusted. Finally, the judgment is also a form of divine discipline, designed not merely for destruction but to humble Egypt and ultimately lead some within it to acknowledge the Lord, as remarkably hinted at later in the chapter, where a highway will be established between Egypt and Assyria, and Egypt will be a blessing in the midst of the earth ([Isaiah 19:19-25](/isaiah/19-19-25 "Isaiah 19:19-25 - Egypt and Assyria Blessed")).

**What are "familiar spirits" and "wizards" in the biblical context, and why are they forbidden?**

Answer: In the biblical context, "familiar spirits" (Hebrew, _ʼôwb_) refer to necromancers or mediums who claimed to communicate with the dead, often through ventriloquism or trance states, believing they could gain hidden knowledge, guidance, or power from departed spirits. "Wizards" (Hebrew, _yiddᵉʻônîy_) were those who claimed to possess secret knowledge or engage in various forms of divination, often through magical arts, omens, or sorcery. Both practices, along with charmers and idol worship, are strictly and repeatedly forbidden in the Bible ([Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominable Practices"); [Leviticus 19:31](/leviticus/19-31 "Leviticus 19:31 - Do Not Turn to Mediums")). They are considered abominable because they involve seeking knowledge, power, or guidance from sources other than God, often opening doors to demonic influence and leading people away from the one true God. They represent a fundamental rejection of God's revealed truth and His exclusive right to guide and sustain His people, substituting divine authority with deceptive and dangerous alternatives.

**Does this prophecy apply to nations today, or is it only historical?**

Answer: While Isaiah 19:3 is undeniably a specific historical prophecy concerning ancient Egypt, its underlying theological principles are timeless and profoundly applicable to nations and societies today. The themes of divine judgment on national pride, the inherent futility of human wisdom and strength apart from God, and the spiritual desperation that leads nations to seek false sources of truth and security are universal. Nations that reject God's counsel, rely solely on their own strength, or turn to ideologies and practices contrary to His Word will ultimately experience a "failing spirit" and a "destroyed counsel," leading to internal strife, moral decay, and eventual collapse. The prophecy serves as a perpetual warning and a persistent call for all nations to acknowledge God's sovereignty, seek His righteous ways, and submit to His divine wisdom, for "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" ([Proverbs 14:34](/proverbs/14-34 "Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness Exalts a Nation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 19:3, with its vivid depiction of a nation's spirit failing and its counsel being utterly destroyed, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between the futility of human wisdom and the absolute wisdom and power embodied in Jesus Christ. The desperate turning of Egypt to "idols, charmers, familiar spirits, and wizards" highlights humanity's inherent spiritual brokenness and its misguided, often frantic, search for truth, meaning, and deliverance outside of God. In the New Testament, we discover that Christ is the very wisdom of God incarnate, who came precisely to dismantle the works of darkness and render futile all human and demonic counsel that opposes God's sovereign will. The world's wisdom, which often leads to spiritual emptiness, moral confusion, and reliance on deceptive powers, is exposed as utter foolishness in the radiant light of the cross ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Wisdom of God and the Cross")). Through His victorious death and glorious resurrection, Jesus decisively disarmed the principalities and powers that once held humanity captive, making a public spectacle of them and triumphing over them in the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ Disarms the Powers")). He is the true and living way, the ultimate source of all counsel, truth, and life, offering genuine spiritual freedom and eternal life where idols and occult practices offer only bondage, deception, and death ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Thus, the judgment on Egypt's failed spirit and counsel foreshadows the universal truth that apart from Christ, all human efforts to find meaning, security, or guidance are ultimately vain and collapse into chaos, but in Him, all things hold together and true wisdom, peace, and purpose are eternally found ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ, the Head of All Creation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 8:19

And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Daniel 2:2

Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

1 Chronicles 10:13

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it];

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Isaiah 44:25

That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise [men] backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

Isaiah 14:27

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Ezekiel 22:14

Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken [it], and will do [it].