Isaiah 19:11

Isaiah 19:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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”?

King James Version KJV

¶ 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?

American Standard Version ASV

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?

Bible in Basic English BBE

The chiefs of Zoan are completely foolish; the wisest guides of Pharaoh have become like beasts: how do you say to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the offspring of early kings?

Free Bible Version FBV

The leaders of Zoan are stupid. Pharaoh's wise counselors give advice that doesn't make sense. How can you tell Pharaoh, “I myself am a wise man, descended from ancient kings”?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Surely the princes of Zoan are fooles: the counsell of the wise counselers of Pharaoh is become foolish: how say ye vnto Pharaoh, I am the sonne of the wise? I am the sonne of the ancient Kings?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Only, fools [are] the princes of Zoan, The counsel of the wise ones of the counsellors of Pharaoh hath become brutish. How say ye unto Pharaoh, 'A son of the wise am I, a son of kings of antiquity?'

World English Bible WEB

The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish. The counsel of the wisest counselors of Pharaoh has become stupid. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings”?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The princes of Tanis are become fools, the wise counsellors of Pharao have given foolish counsel: how will you say to Pharao: I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

Translation for Translators T4T

The officials in Zoan city in northern Egypt are foolish. The advice that they gave to the king was worthless. Why do they continue to tell the king that they are wise, that they are descendants of wise kings who lived long ago [RHQ]?

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 19:11

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Isaiah 19:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אַךְ אֱוִלִים֙ שָׂ֣רֵי צֹ֔עַן חַכְמֵי֙ יֹעֲצֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה עֵצָ֖ה נִבְעָרָ֑ה אֵ֚יךְ תֹּאמְר֣וּ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֔ה בֶּן חֲכָמִ֥ים אֲנִ֖י בֶּן מַלְכֵי קֶֽדֶם

אַךְ ʼak H389 surely DirObjM

אֱוִלִים֙ ʼĕvîyl H191 fool(ish) Adj

שָׂ֣רֵי sar H8269 ruler N-mp

צֹ֔עַן Tsôʻan H6814 Zoan N-proper

חַכְמֵי֙ châkâm H2450 wise Adj

יֹעֲצֵ֣י ʻêtsâh H6098 counsel V-Qal

פַרְעֹ֔ה Parʻôh H6547 Pharaoh N-proper

עֵצָ֖ה ʻêtsâh H6098 counsel N-fs

נִבְעָרָ֑ה bâʻar H1197 to burn V-Niphal

אֵ֚יךְ ʼêyk H349 how? Part

תֹּאמְר֣וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

פַּרְעֹ֔ה Parʻôh H6547 Pharaoh N-proper

בֶּן bên H1121 son N-ms

חֲכָמִ֥ים châkâm H2450 wise Adj

אֲנִ֖י ʼănîy H589 I Pron

בֶּן bên H1121 son N-ms

מַלְכֵי melek H4428 King's N-mp

קֶֽדֶם qedem H6924 front N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 19:11

אַךְ ʼak H389 "surely" DirObjM

This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.

Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)

Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.

אֱוִלִים֙ ʼĕvîyl H191 "fool(ish)" Adj

The Hebrew word for a foolish person, someone who despises wisdom or mocks when guilty. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are quarrelsome or licentious. The KJV translates it as 'fool' or 'foolish man'.

Definition: 1) be foolish, foolish 1a) (subst) 1a1) of one who despises wisdom 1a2) of one who mocks when guilty 1a3) of one who is quarrelsome 1a4) of one who is licentious

Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish) (man). See also: Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:9; Psalms 107:17.

שָׂ֣רֵי sar H8269 "ruler" N-mp

A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.

Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden

Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.

צֹ֔עַן Tsôʻan H6814 "Zoan" N-proper

Zoan is an ancient city in Egypt, also known as Tanis. It was the capital of the Shepherd dynasty and existed before Abraham. The Bible mentions it as the dwelling place of the Pharaoh during the exodus.

Definition: § Zoan = "place of departure" an ancient city of lower Egypt called Tanis by the Greeks; located on the eastern bank of the Tanitic branch of the Nile; the capital of the Shepherd dynasty, built 7 years after Hebron and existing before Abraham and the dwelling place of the Pharaoh at the time of the exodus modern 'San'

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Zoan. See also: Numbers 13:22; Isaiah 19:11; Psalms 78:12.

חַכְמֵי֙ châkâm H2450 "wise" Adj

This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.

Definition: 1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). See also: Genesis 41:8; Proverbs 16:14; Psalms 49:11.

יֹעֲצֵ֣י ʻêtsâh H6098 "counsel" V-Qal

This Hebrew word means counsel or advice, implying a plan or purpose. It is used in the Bible when describing wise decision-making.

Definition: counsel, advice, purpose

Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose. See also: Deuteronomy 32:28; Psalms 107:11; Psalms 1:1.

פַרְעֹ֔ה Parʻôh H6547 "Pharaoh" N-proper

In the Bible, Pharaoh refers to the king of Egypt, a powerful leader with great authority. The word is used in many passages, including Genesis 12:15 and Exodus 1:9, to describe the ruler of Egypt. It is a title of respect and power.

Definition: A man of the Egyptians living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.23.29; also called Pharaoh at 2Ki.23.35 etc.; Another name of ne.kho (נְכוֹ "Neco" H5224G) § Pharaoh = "great house" the common title of the king of Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: Pharaoh. See also: Genesis 12:15; Exodus 6:29; 2 Kings 23:35.

עֵצָ֖ה ʻêtsâh H6098 "counsel" N-fs

This Hebrew word means counsel or advice, implying a plan or purpose. It is used in the Bible when describing wise decision-making.

Definition: counsel, advice, purpose

Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose. See also: Deuteronomy 32:28; Psalms 107:11; Psalms 1:1.

נִבְעָרָ֑ה bâʻar H1197 "to burn" V-Niphal

To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.

Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn

Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.

אֵ֚יךְ ʼêyk H349 "how?" Part

In the Bible, this word means 'how' or 'where', like in Genesis when God asks Adam 'where are you'. It's also used to express surprise or excitement.

Definition: interrog adv how?

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: how, what. See also: Genesis 26:9; Ecclesiastes 2:16; Psalms 11:1.

תֹּאמְר֣וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

פַּרְעֹ֔ה Parʻôh H6547 "Pharaoh" N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: Pharaoh. See also: Genesis 12:15; Exodus 6:29; 2 Kings 23:35.

בֶּן bên H1121 "son" N-ms

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

חֲכָמִ֥ים châkâm H2450 "wise" Adj

This word means wise or skilled, describing someone intelligent or crafty, like a cunning man or a prudent leader.

Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). See also: Genesis 41:8; Proverbs 16:14; Psalms 49:11.

אֲנִ֖י ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron

This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.

Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.

בֶּן bên H1121 "son" N-ms

Definition: : child/son

מַלְכֵי melek H4428 "King's" N-mp

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

קֶֽדֶם qedem H6924 "front" N-ms

The front or east direction, often used to describe a location or time, such as in the book of Ezekiel where it describes the direction of the temple. It can also mean something is ancient or from the past, like the stories in Genesis.

Definition: : east 1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime 1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East 1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time 1c) anciently, of old (adverb) 1d) beginning 1e) east

Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, [idiom] ever(-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare H6926 (קִדְמָה). See also: Genesis 2:8; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalms 44:2.

Study Notes — Isaiah 19:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Isaiah 19:11 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 19:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:11
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:11
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11
Sermons on Isaiah 19:11

Context — The Burden against Egypt

9The workers in flax will be dismayed, and the weavers of fine linen will turn pale. 10The workers in cloth will be dejected, and all the hired workers will be sick at heart.

11The 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”?

12Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. 13The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 13:22	They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
2	Acts 7:22	So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
3	1 Kings 4:30	Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
4	Isaiah 30:4	For though their princes are at Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes,
5	Psalms 78:43	when He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the fields of Zoan.
6	Genesis 41:38–39	So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
7	Psalms 78:12	He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
8	1 Corinthians 1:19–20	For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
9	Jeremiah 49:7	Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?
10	Jeremiah 10:21	For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.

Isaiah 19:11 Summary

[This verse is talking about how the leaders of Egypt, including Pharaoh's wise counselors, are not wise at all, but rather foolish and giving bad advice. This is because they are not seeking God's wisdom, but rather relying on their own understanding, as warned against in Proverbs 3:5-6. As Christians, we can learn from this verse to always seek God's wisdom and guidance, rather than relying on our own strength and understanding, and to trust in His providence, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11, which promises that God has a plan to prosper us and give us hope for the future.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Zoan in Isaiah 19:11?

Zoan was an important city in Egypt, and the princes of Zoan are being criticized for their foolishness, highlighting the spiritual and moral decay of the Egyptian leaders, as seen in other scriptures like Ezekiel 30:14, which also mentions Zoan as a significant location in Egypt.

Why does the verse criticize Pharaoh's wise counselors?

The verse criticizes Pharaoh's wise counselors for giving senseless advice, indicating that they are not seeking God's wisdom, but rather relying on their own understanding, as warned against in Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trusting in the Lord with all our heart and not leaning on our own understanding.

What does it mean to be a 'son of eastern kings'?

The phrase 'son of eastern kings' likely refers to a claim of noble or royal lineage, but in this context, it is being used sarcastically to highlight the foolishness of those making such claims, as true wisdom and nobility come from God, as seen in Psalms 111:10, which states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

How does this verse relate to the rest of Isaiah 19?

This verse is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt, warning of God's judgment on the nation for its pride and idolatry, as seen in Isaiah 19:1-15, which describes the downfall of Egypt and the rise of a new era of spiritual awakening, as predicted in verses like Isaiah 19:19-22, which speak of a future time of worship and sacrifice to the Lord.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I may be relying on my own wisdom and understanding, rather than seeking God's guidance?
How can I discern whether the advice I am receiving is wise and godly, or senseless and worldly?
What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to present myself as something I'm not, like the 'son of eastern kings' in this verse?
In what ways can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's wisdom and providence, rather than relying on human wisdom and strength?

Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 19:11

Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools,.... Zoan was a very ancient city of Egypt, it was built within seven years of Hebron in the land of Judah, Numbers 13:22 here it was that the Lord did those

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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? Zoan.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11

Zoan; the chief city, in which the king and court frequently resided. See . Brutish; exceeding foolish, and destructive to themselves. How say ye unto Pharaoh? why do you put such false and foolish words into Pharaoh’ s mouth? I am the son of the wise; wisdom is hereditary and natural to me. This vain opinion of himself they cherished by their flatteries, although he undid himself and his people by his folly. The son of ancient kings: he derides the vanity of the Egyptians, who used to make great brags of the antiquity of their nation, and especially of their kings, who, as they pretended, had reigned successively for above ten thousand years; which number of years they made up by this craft, by making those successive kings, which reigned together at the same time, in their several Nomi, or provinces.

Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11

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?Ver. 11. Surely the princes of Zoan are fools.] Otherwise they would never have so ill-advised their king so to drain the river, for his pleasure, to the public detriment. Zoan was an ancient city in Egypt. The Septuagint and Vulgate versions call it Tunis. Here it was that Moses did all his wonders. Here Pharaoh’ s princes "took counsel, but not of God; and covered with a covering, but not of his Spirit, that they might add sin to sin." The counsel of the wise counsellors is become brutish.] Such as was that of Machiavel, the Florentine secretary, who proposeth Caesar Borgia, notwithstanding all his villanies, as the only example for a prince to imitate. How say ye unto Pharaoh?] How can ye for shame say so of yourselves? Or quomodo dictatis Pharaoni? How can ye dictate or put such words as these into your king’ s mouth? What gross flattery is this? I am the son of the wise.] Or, A son of "wise ones; as if wisdom were proper to you, and hereditary. The Egyptians cracked much of their wisdom, yet more of their antiquity, as if they were long before other people, yea, before the moon - as the Arcadians also boasted - and that their philosophy was very ancient. De Principe, p. 185. Herod. lib. ii. - προσεληναοι, Lucian. - Plato in Timaeo.

Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11

(11) Surely the princes of Zoan are fools.—Zoan, the great city of the Delta, was known to the Greeks as Tanis, founded, as stated in Numbers 13:22, seven years after Hebron. Here the great Rameses II. fixed his capital, and the city thus acquired the name of Pi-Rameses. How say ye unto Pharaoh . . .?—The princes of Zoan, probably priest-princes and priest-magicians (Exodus 7:11), boasting at once of their wisdom and their ancestry, are represented as speaking to the Pharaoh of the time (probably, as in Isaiah 18, of Ethiopian origin) in something like a tone of superiority. They claim to be the only counsellors; and the prophet challenges their claim. Can they disclose, as he can, the future that impends over their country?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11

Verse 11. The counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish - "Have counselled a brutish counsel"] The sentence as it now stands in the Hebrew, is imperfect: it wants the verb. Archbishop Secker conjectures that the words יועצי פרעה yoatsey pharoh should be transposed; which would in some degree remove the difficulty. But it is to be observed, that the translator of the Vulgate seems to have found in his copy the verb יעצו yaatsu added after פרעה pharoh: Sapientes consiliarii Pharaonis dederunt consilium insipiens, "The wise counsellors of Pharaoh gave unwise counsel." This is probably the true reading: it is perfectly agreeable to the Hebrew idiom, makes the construction of the sentence clear, and renders the transposition of the words above mentioned unnecessary. - L.

Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 19:11

11–15. The stultification of Pharaoh’s advisers.

Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 19:11

Surely the princes - The following verses, to Isaiah 19:16, are designed to describe further the calamities that were coming upon Egypt by a want of wisdom in their rulers.

Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 19:11

11-13. Princes of Zoan — “Zoan,” the ancient Tanis, the present Tsan, was the capital of the northeastern kingdom, as Noph, (Isaiah 19:13,) or Memphis, was of Central Egypt.

Sermons on Isaiah 19:11

	Sermon	Description
	(The Word for Today) Isaiah 19:11 - Part 2 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He uses the example of Daniel, a young man who took a stand for God
	Dedicated to God Not Man by Major Ian Thomas	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the essential principles of the Christian life. He begins by discussing Moses and how he was learned in the w
	Nothingness - the Place of Humility by K.P. Yohannan	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and his call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The speaker emphasizes how Moses initially felt inadequate and unworthy f
	(Exodus) Exodus 2:11-15 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the first 40 years of Moses' life and how his training in Egypt did not prepare him to deliver the children of Israel. Despite being educated
	Total Abandonment to the Lord by Leonard Ravenhill	The sermon transcript discusses the concept of abandonment in relation to commitment and sanctification. The speaker highlights three examples of abandonment: Jesus Christ, Moses,
	The Whole Armour of God - Part 4 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the different responses people have to the moving of the Holy Spirit. Some are receptive and responsive, while others are indifferent and u
	Surviving the Anointing by David Ravenhill	This sermon by David Ravenhill emphasizes the importance of surviving the anointing in ministry. He highlights the need for absolute dependency upon God, using examples from the Bi