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How can you say to Pharaoh, &#8220I am one of the wise men, a disciple of the ancient kings"? <a href="/nlt/isaiah/19.htm">New Living Translation</a> What fools are the officials of Zoan! Their best counsel to the king of Egypt is stupid and wrong. Will they still boast to Pharaoh of their wisdom? Will they dare brag about all their wise ancestors? <a href="/esv/isaiah/19.htm">English Standard Version</a> The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”? <a href="/bsb/isaiah/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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”? <a href="/kjv/isaiah/19.htm">King James Bible</a> Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/19.htm">New King James Version</a> Surely the princes of Zoan are fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am the son of the wise, The son of ancient kings?” <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The officials of Zoan are mere fools; The advice of Pharaoh’s wisest advisers has become stupid. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”? <a href="/nasb/isaiah/19.htm">NASB 1995</a> The princes of Zoan are mere fools; The advice of Pharaoh&#8217s wisest advisers has become stupid. How can you men say to Pharaoh, &#8220I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings &#8220? <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a> The princes of Zoan are mere fools; The advice of Pharaoh’s wisest advisers has become stupid. How can you men say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings”? <a href="/lsb/isaiah/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The princes of Zoan are merely ignorant fools; The counsel of Pharaoh’s wisest counselors has become senseless. How can you men say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of the kings of old”? <a href="/amp/isaiah/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The princes of Zoan are complete fools; The counsel of the Pharaoh’s wisest advisors has become stupid. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings?” <a href="/csb/isaiah/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The princes of Zoan are complete fools; Pharaoh’s wisest advisers give stupid advice! How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a student of eastern kings”? <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The princes of Zoan are complete fools; Pharaoh&#8217s wisest advisers give stupid advice! How can you say to Pharaoh,&#8221 I am one of the wise, a student of eastern kings"? <a href="/asv/isaiah/19.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/cev/isaiah/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The king's officials in Zoan are foolish themselves and give stupid advice. How can they say to him, "We are very wise, and our families go back to kings of long ago?" <a href="/erv/isaiah/19.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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? <a href="/gwt/isaiah/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The leaders of Zoan are nothing but fools. The wisest of Pharaoh's counselors gives stupid advice. How can you tell Pharaoh, "I'm a descendant of wise men, a descendant of ancient kings"? <a href="/gnt/isaiah/19.htm">Good News Translation</a> The leaders of the city of Zoan are fools! Egypt's wisest people give stupid advice! How do they dare to tell the king that they are successors to the ancient scholars and kings? <a href="/isv/isaiah/19.htm">International Standard Version</a> Zoan's princes are nothing but fools; the wisest advisors of Pharaoh give stupid advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I'm a descendant of wise men, a descendant of ancient kings"? <a href="/msb/isaiah/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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?? <a href="/net/isaiah/19.htm">NET Bible</a> The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools; Pharaoh's wise advisers give stupid advice. How dare you say to Pharaoh, "I am one of the sages, one well-versed in the writings of the ancient kings?" <a href="/nheb/isaiah/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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?" <a href="/wbt/isaiah/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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? <a href="/web/isaiah/19.htm">World English Bible</a> 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?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Only, the princes of Zoan [are] fools, "" The counsel of the wise ones of the counselors of Pharaoh has become brutish. How do you say to Pharaoh, “I am a son of the wise, a son of kings of antiquity?” <a href="/ylt/isaiah/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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?' <a href="/slt/isaiah/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Also the chiefs of Zoan are foolish, the wise counseling Pharaoh the counsel became brutish: how shall ye say to Pharaoh, I the son of the wise, the son of kings of old?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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? <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The leaders of Tanis are foolish. The wise counselors of Pharaoh have given foolish counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh: “I am the son of wisemen, the son of the kings of antiquity?” <a href="/nabre/isaiah/19.htm">New American Bible</a> Utter fools are the princes of Zoan! the wisest of Pharaoh’s advisers give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am a descendant of wise men, of ancient kings”? <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the wise counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the sages, a descendant of ancient kings”?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Surely the princes of Zoan have become fools, the wise counsellors of King Pharaoh give foolish counsel; how can you say to Pharaoh, We are wise men, the sons of the ancient kings? <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> The Princes of Zoan became insane! The wise men who counsel Pharaoh the King of Kings are mad men! How will you say to Pharaoh: ”We are wise and the sons of the first Kings?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> The princes of Zoan are utter fools; The wisest counsellors of Pharaoh are a senseless counsel; How can ye say unto Pharaoh: 'I am the son of the wise, The son of ancient kings'? <a href="/sep/isaiah/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the princes of Tanis shall be fools: as for the king's wise counsellors, their counsel shall be turned into folly: how will ye say to the king, we are sons of wise men, sons of ancient kings? <a href="/parallel/isaiah/19-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=3922" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/19.htm">An Oracle Concerning Egypt</a> …10The workers in cloth will be dejected, and all the hired workers will be sick at heart. 11<a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·rê (N-mpc) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">The princes</a> <a href="/hebrew/6814.htm" title="6814: ṣō·‘an (N-proper-fs) -- A place in Eg. Of Egyptian derivation; Tsoan, a place in Egypt.">of Zoan</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">are mere</a> <a href="/hebrew/191.htm" title="191: ’ĕ·wi·lîm (N-mp) -- Foolish. From an unused root; silly.">fools;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: p̄ar·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">Pharaoh’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: ḥaḵ·mê (Adj-mpc) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">wise</a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: ‘ê·ṣāh (N-fs) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">counselors</a> <a href="/hebrew/1197.htm" title="1197: niḇ·‘ā·rāh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To kindle, consume, to be, brutish. A primitive root; to kindle, i.e. Consume; also to be(-come) brutish.">give senseless</a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: yō·‘ă·ṣê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">advice.</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’êḵ (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">can you say</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: par·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">Pharaoh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">am one</a> <a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: ḥă·ḵā·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">of the wise,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">a son</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: qe·ḏem (N-ms) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">of eastern</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·ḵê- (N-mpc) -- King. From malak; a king.">kings”?</a> 12Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/4-30.htm">1 Kings 4:30</a> Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. <a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a> The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a> He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a> 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? <a href="/ezekiel/28-3.htm">Ezekiel 28:3-4</a> Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a> There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” <a href="/jeremiah/49-7.htm">Jeremiah 49:7</a> 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? <a href="/obadiah/1-8.htm">Obadiah 1:8</a> In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau? <a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a> Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, <a href="/job/12-17.htm">Job 12:17</a> He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges. <a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Isaiah 44:25</a> who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a> But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. <a href="/daniel/2-20.htm">Daniel 2:20-21</a> and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a> See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say you to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?the princes<a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3,13</a> 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… <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a> Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.<a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Isaiah 44:25</a> That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;Zoan<a href="/isaiah/30-4.htm">Isaiah 30:4</a> For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.<a href="/numbers/13-22.htm">Numbers 13:22</a> And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)<a href="/psalms/78-12.htm">Psalm 78:12,43</a> Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan… brutish<a href="/psalms/73-22.htm">Psalm 73:22</a> So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.<a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Psalm 92:6</a> A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.<a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2</a> Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.I am<a href="/genesis/41-38.htm">Genesis 41:38,39</a> And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? … <a href="/1_kings/4-30.htm">1 Kings 4:30</a> And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.<a href="/acts/7-22.htm">Acts 7:22</a> And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/16-3.htm">Advice</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">Advisers</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-15.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Counsellors</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Counselors</a> <a href="/acts/21-16.htm">Disciple</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-15.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-18.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/songs/1-9.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/songs/1-9.htm">Pharaoh's</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-8.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-18.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-7.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-9.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/judges/5-29.htm">Wisest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-43.htm">Zoan</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Advice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-25.htm">Advisers</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-7.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-17.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/daniel/3-2.htm">Counsellors</a> <a href="/daniel/3-2.htm">Counselors</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Disciple</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-13.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-13.htm">Fools</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-21.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-4.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Pharaoh's</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-13.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-14.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-3.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-12.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/judges/5-29.htm">Wisest</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-13.htm">Zoan</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 19</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm">The confusion of Egypt</a> 11. <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">The foolishness of their princes</a> 18. <a href="/isaiah/19-18.htm">The calling of Egypt into the church</a> 23. <a href="/isaiah/19-23.htm">The covenant of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Zoan, known as Tanis in Greek, was an ancient city in the Nile Delta and served as a capital of Egypt at various times. It was a center of political power and wisdom in Egypt. The term "princes" refers to the leaders or officials of this city. The statement that they are "mere fools" is a strong indictment of their lack of true wisdom, despite their high status. This reflects the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God, not human status or intellect (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>).Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, relied on his counselors for guidance. However, the text criticizes these advisors for their "senseless advice," indicating that their counsel lacks divine insight and understanding. This mirrors the biblical narrative where human wisdom is often contrasted with divine wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a>). Historically, Egypt was known for its wisdom and learning, yet this passage highlights the futility of wisdom that is not rooted in the fear of the Lord.How can you say to Pharaoh, This rhetorical question challenges the audacity of the counselors who claim to possess wisdom. It underscores the disconnect between their self-perception and reality. In the biblical context, this serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and authority, and human claims to wisdom are often flawed (<a href="/job/12-17.htm">Job 12:17</a>).“I am one of the wise, The claim to be "one of the wise" suggests a self-assuredness in their intellectual and advisory capabilities. However, the passage implies that such claims are empty without the foundation of divine truth. This echoes the biblical principle that true wisdom is characterized by humility and reverence for God (<a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13-17</a>).a son of eastern kings”? The phrase "a son of eastern kings" may refer to a lineage or tradition of wisdom associated with the East, known for its sages and scholars. This could imply a heritage of wisdom and authority. However, the passage critiques this reliance on heritage and tradition, emphasizing that true wisdom is not inherited or cultural but is a gift from God (<a href="/daniel/2-20.htm">Daniel 2:20-22</a>). This also foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is the embodiment of divine wisdom and the true King (<a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/z/zoan.htm">Zoan</a> An ancient city in Egypt, known for its wisdom and counsel. It was a significant center of power and influence in Egypt. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a> The title used for the kings of Egypt, representing the political and spiritual leader of the nation. 3. <a href="/topical/w/wise_counselors.htm">Wise Counselors</a> Advisors to Pharaoh, expected to provide guidance and wisdom in governance and decision-making. 4. <a href="/topical/e/eastern_kings.htm">Eastern Kings</a> Refers to the rulers from the eastern regions, often associated with wisdom and learning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_folly_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Folly of Human Wisdom</a> Human wisdom, apart from God, is ultimately foolish. We must seek divine wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride.htm">The Danger of Pride</a> The claim of being "one of the wise, a son of eastern kings" reflects pride. True wisdom comes from humility and reverence for God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_counsel.htm">The Importance of Godly Counsel</a> Surrounding ourselves with godly advisors is crucial. We should seek counsel from those who fear the Lord and align with His Word. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a> Despite the wisdom and power of earthly rulers, God is sovereign over all nations and their leaders. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_discernment.htm">The Call to Discernment</a> Believers must discern between godly wisdom and worldly advice, ensuring that our decisions align with biblical principles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 19</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_pyramids.htm">What does the Bible say about pyramids?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_2_kings_19_and_isaiah_37_differ.htm">If 2 Kings 19:20-34 and Isaiah 37:21-35 recount the same event, why are there variations in details between the two texts?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_isaiah_37_and_2_kings_19_differ.htm">Why do Isaiah 37:33-35 and parallel biblical accounts (e.g., 2 Kings 19) differ in describing Sennacherib's retreat and the exact nature of the Assyrian defeat?</a> <a href="/q/why_mention_tirhakah_in_isaiah_37_9.htm">Why does Isaiah 37:9 mention Tirhakah, king of Cush, if some historians question the timing of his reign during Sennacherib's campaign?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 <a href="/numbers/13-22.htm" title="And they ascended by the south, and came to Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)">Numbers 13:22</a>, 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 (<a href="/exodus/7-11.htm" title="Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.">Exodus 7:11</a>), 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?<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Surely the princes of Zoan are fools. Zoan, or Tanis, which had been an insignificant city since the time of the shepherd-kings, came to the front once more at the time of the struggle between Egypt and Assyria. Esarhaddon made it the head of one of the petty kingdoms into which he divided Egypt (G. Smith, 'History of Asshur-bani-pal,' p. 21, 1. 2). Early in the reign of his son it revolted, in conjunction with Sais and Mendes, but was ere long reduced to subjection by the Assyrians. Its king, Petu-bastes, was taken to Nineveh, and there probably put to death. Its "princes" were, no doubt, among those who counseled resistance to Assyria. The counsel of the wise, etc.; literally, as for the wise coun-sellers of Pharaoh, their counsel is become senseless. Two classes of advisers seem to be intended - nobles, supposed to be qualified by birth; and "wise men," qualified by study and education. Both would now be found equally incapable. Pharaoh. Probably Tirhakah is intended. It is possible that he was really suzerain of Egypt at the time of Sennacherib's invasion, when Shabatek was nominally king. It is certain that, after the death of Shabatok (about B.C. 698), he was recognized as sovereign both of Ethiopia and of Egypt, and ruled over both countries. Esarhaddon found him still occupying this position in B.C. 673, when he made his Egyptian expedition. Tirhakah's capital at this time was Memphis. How say ye, etc.? With what face can you boast of your descent, or of your learning, when you are unable to give any sound advice? <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/19-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The princes שָׂ֣רֵי (śā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince of Zoan צֹ֔עַן (ṣō·‘an) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6814.htm">Strong's 6814: </a> Zoan -- a place in Egypt are mere אַךְ־ (’aḵ-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely fools; אֱוִלִים֙ (’ĕ·wi·lîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_196.htm">Strong's 196: </a> Silly, foolish, impious Pharaoh’s פַרְעֹ֔ה (p̄ar·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings wise חַכְמֵי֙ (ḥaḵ·mê) Adjective - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> Wise counselors עֵצָ֖ה (‘ê·ṣāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> Advice, plan, prudence give senseless נִבְעָרָ֑ה (niḇ·‘ā·rāh) Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1197.htm">Strong's 1197: </a> To kindle, consume, to be, brutish advice. יֹעֲצֵ֣י (yō·‘ă·ṣê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> Advice, plan, prudence How אֵ֚יךְ (’êḵ) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> How?, how!, where can you say תֹּאמְר֣וּ (tō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Pharaoh, פַּרְעֹ֔ה (par·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings “I אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I am one בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of the wise, חֲכָמִ֥ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> Wise a son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of eastern קֶֽדֶם׃ (qe·ḏem) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> The front, of place, time kings”? מַלְכֵי־ (mal·ḵê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:11 The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/19-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 19:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 19:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/19-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 19:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 19:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>