Isaiah 9:16

KJV

For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err; and [they that are] led of them [are] destroyed.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the leaders {H833} of this people {H5971} cause them to err {H8582}; and they that are led {H833} of them are destroyed {H1104}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For those leading this people lead them astray, and those led by them are destroyed.

Berean Standard Bible

For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

American Standard Version

For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 9:16 delivers a stark prophetic indictment against the corrupt leadership of ancient Israel, revealing the devastating consequences when those in positions of authority intentionally mislead the populace. The verse asserts that leaders who cause their people to stray from truth and righteousness inevitably lead them to utter destruction, underscoring a profound principle of divine judgment against both errant guides and those who blindly follow them into ruin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 9:16 is situated within a broader prophetic oracle (Isaiah 9:8-21) that details God's unfolding judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). This section repeatedly emphasizes God's persistent anger, marked by the refrain, "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still" (e.g., [Isaiah 9:12](/isaiah/9-12 "Isaiah 9:12 - God's Hand Stretched Out Still")). The verse specifically follows a description of the people's stubborn pride and refusal to repent, despite previous divine chastisements. It stands in stark contrast to the glorious messianic prophecy of the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God" found just verses prior in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Messiah"), highlighting the tragic reality of Israel's present spiritual darkness and misguided leadership in anticipation of a future, true light.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Isaiah's ministry (8th century BCE) was marked by significant political turmoil, spiritual apostasy, and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah had largely abandoned their covenant obligations to Yahweh, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than divine providence. Leaders, including kings, priests, and prophets, often perpetuated this spiritual decline by promoting false worship, enacting unjust policies, and offering misleading counsel. Isaiah 9:16 specifically targets this pervasive leadership failure, reflecting a society where those entrusted with guiding the people towards God's ways instead led them further into sin and away from safety, ultimately contributing to the nation's impending downfall and exile.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **corrupt leadership** and its devastating impact, emphasizing that those in authority bear immense responsibility for the spiritual and moral trajectory of their people. It highlights the **consequences of misguidance**, illustrating how the active deception or negligence of leaders leads directly to the "destruction" of their followers, encompassing not only physical and political ruin but also spiritual decay. Furthermore, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **divine judgment**, as God holds both leaders and the led accountable for their choices, particularly when they deviate from His righteous path. This judgment is a consistent motif throughout Isaiah, seen in pronouncements against various nations and against Israel's own rebellion (e.g., [Isaiah 1:2-4](/isaiah/1-2 "Isaiah 1:2-4 - Israel's Rebellion and Corruption")). It also subtly introduces the necessity of **discernment** for the people, as their destruction results from being "led" astray, implying a failure to recognize and resist false guidance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **leaders (Hebrew, _ʼâshar'_):** H833. This root word primarily means "to be straight," or "to go forward," and can imply guiding or leading. In the context of Isaiah 9:16, the participle form refers to those who *should* be guiding the people on a straight, righteous path. However, when juxtaposed with "cause to err," it highlights a tragic subversion of their intended role; instead of leading rightly, they lead astray, perverting their very function.
* **cause [them] to err (Hebrew, _tâʻâh'_):** H8582. This verb signifies to vacillate, reel, stray, or to cause someone to wander, deceive, or be out of the way. It implies an active, deliberate, or negligent act of misdirection. It's not merely a mistake, but a leading away from the correct path, whether morally, spiritually, or politically, often with an element of deception or confusion involved.
* **destroyed (Hebrew, _bâlaʻ'_):** H1104. A vivid and forceful verb meaning to make away with, specifically by swallowing, devouring, or consuming. It denotes utter annihilation, complete ruin, and being utterly lost. This term emphasizes the severity and totality of the consequences for those who are misled, suggesting a complete dissolution or absorption into ruin, not just a minor setback.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the leaders of this people":** This clause directly identifies the primary culprits for the nation's plight: those in positions of authority, influence, and guidance within Israel. It points to the systemic failure at the top, whether kings, priests, prophets, or other societal elites, who were entrusted with the spiritual and moral well-being of the nation.
* **"cause [them] to err":** This explains the specific action of these leaders. They are not merely passive observers of decline; they are active agents who mislead, deceive, and cause the people to stray from God's commands, righteous living, and sound judgment. This "erring" encompasses spiritual apostasy, moral corruption, and misguided political strategies that defied God's will.
* **"and [they that are] led of them":** This refers to the general populace, the followers who submit to the guidance and influence of their leaders. While the leaders are the instigators, the people are not absolved of responsibility, as they are the ones who allow themselves to be led down destructive paths.
* **"[are] destroyed":** This is the dire consequence. The "destruction" is comprehensive, encompassing not only physical defeat and national ruin (like the impending Assyrian invasion) but also spiritual and moral decay. It signifies a complete collapse of societal order, a loss of divine favor, and a state of utter ruin, consistent with the strong meaning of the Hebrew word.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 9:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synthetic parallelism, where the second clause ("and they that are led of them are destroyed") expands upon or completes the thought of the first ("For the leaders of this people cause [them] to err"). This structure clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, directly linking the leaders' actions to the people's fate. The verse also utilizes **Strong Language** and **Hyperbole** with the term "destroyed" (bâlaʻ), which vividly conveys an image of being swallowed up or utterly consumed, emphasizing the extreme and devastating nature of the outcome. This is not merely a setback but a complete ruin. Finally, there is an implicit **Metaphor** of a path or way: "to err" implies straying from the correct path, suggesting that righteousness is a straight road, and the leaders are actively diverting the people onto a crooked, perilous one.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 9:16 powerfully articulates a fundamental biblical principle: the profound responsibility of leadership and the dire consequences of its failure. Theologically, it underscores God's unwavering standard of righteousness for those in authority, whether spiritual, political, or familial. When leaders betray their divine mandate by promoting falsehood, injustice, or idolatry, they not only incur God's judgment upon themselves but also become instruments of ruin for those under their charge. The verse also highlights the reciprocal responsibility of the people to exercise discernment, as their "destruction" is a direct result of being "led" astray, implying a failure to test the spirits and adhere to divine truth. This dynamic reveals God's justice, holding both the deceiver and the deceived accountable for their choices when truth is readily available.

* [Matthew 15:14](/matthew/15-14 "Matthew 15:14 - The Blind Leading the Blind")
* [Jeremiah 23:1-2](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1-2 - Woe to the Shepherds")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - When the Righteous Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 9:16 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for every generation, emphasizing the immense weight of responsibility resting upon those in positions of influence and the critical need for discernment among those who are led. For leaders—whether in government, the church, education, or even within families—this verse is a solemn reminder that their guidance has eternal consequences. They are called to lead with integrity, truth, and an unwavering commitment to God's Word, recognizing that misleading others can result in profound spiritual, moral, and societal destruction. For followers, the verse underscores the vital importance of not blindly adhering to any authority. It calls for active discernment, encouraging individuals to test all teachings and policies against the unchanging standard of divine truth, ensuring that their path aligns with God's righteousness rather than succumbing to destructive ideologies or practices. Both leaders and the led are thus challenged to seek wisdom, uphold truth, and walk in paths that lead to life, not ruin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I a leader, and how am I ensuring that I am guiding others according to truth and righteousness?**
* **What criteria do I use to discern between good and bad leadership, especially in spiritual and moral matters?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of discernment to avoid being "led astray" by deceptive influences in society or even within the church?**
* **What is my personal responsibility to seek out and adhere to God's truth, even when it contradicts popular opinion or the guidance of influential figures?**

### FAQ

**What kind of "destruction" is implied for "they that are led" in Isaiah 9:16?**

Answer: The "destruction" (Hebrew: *bâlaʻ*) implied in Isaiah 9:16 is comprehensive and severe, extending beyond mere physical harm or military defeat. While it certainly encompasses the impending national ruin and exile that Israel faced at the hands of the Assyrians, it also signifies spiritual, moral, and societal annihilation. When people are led astray from God's covenant, they lose their distinct identity as His people, forfeit His blessings, and become vulnerable to the full weight of His judgment. This can manifest as a loss of spiritual vitality, moral decay, the breakdown of social order, and ultimately, a separation from God's life-giving presence, leading to a state of utter ruin and being "swallowed up" by their own sin and its consequences, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 9:16, with its grim portrayal of destructive leadership, finds its ultimate and glorious contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just verses before this indictment, Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Messiah as the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prophecy of the Messiah")). Unlike the corrupt leaders who "cause them to err," Jesus is the true and perfect Shepherd who never leads His flock astray. He declares Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), guiding His people not to destruction, but to eternal life. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), ensuring their safety and leading them to green pastures. His leadership is characterized by perfect righteousness, unwavering truth, and sacrificial love, completely reversing the pattern of ruin described in Isaiah 9:16. Through His atoning work, He rescues those who were "destroyed" by sin and false guidance, offering them a new path to reconciliation with God and abundant life, fulfilling the promise of a kingdom where there is no end to peace and justice ([Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Everlasting Kingdom")).

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 3:12

[As for] my people, children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause [thee] to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

Matthew 15:14

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

1 Kings 8:55

And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

1 Kings 8:56

Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

Matthew 23:16

Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Matthew 23:36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

2 Chronicles 30:27

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came [up] to his holy dwelling place, [even] unto heaven.