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Isaiah 9:15 The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.
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and the prophet that teacheth lies, he <i>is</i> the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The elder and honorable, he <i>is</i> the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he <i>is</i> the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The head is the elder and esteemed man, And the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The head is the elder and honorable man, And the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The head is the elder and honorable man, And the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The head is the elder and the highly respected man, And the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The elderly and honorable man, he is the head; And the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The head is the elder, the honored one; the tail is the prophet, the one teaching lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The head is the elder, the honored one; the tail is the prophet, the lying teacher. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Their rulers and leaders were the head, and the lying prophets were the tail. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The ancient and the honourable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Respected and honored leaders are the head. Prophets who teach lies are the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The old and honorable men are the head--and the tail is the prophets whose teachings are lies! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />the elder and the dignitary is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The leaders and the highly respected people are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The elder and the honorable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Elderly and accepted of faces—he [is] the head, "" And prophet teaching falsehood—he [is] the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Elder, and accepted of face, he is the head, Prophet, teacher of falsehood, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The old man and they lifting up faces, he the head; and the prophet teaching falsehood, be the tail.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The aged and honourable, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The long-lived and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />(The elder and the noble are the head, the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />elders and dignitaries are the head, and prophets who teach lies are the tail;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The elder and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The Elder and the honorable face, he is the head, and the Prophet that teaches falsehood, he is the rear end<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The elder and the man of rank, he is the head; And the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />the old man, and them that respect persons, this is the head; and the prophet teaching unlawful things, he is the tail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/9-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=2003" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/9.htm">Judgment Against Israel's Hypocrisy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: hā·rōš (Art:: N-ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">The head</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: zā·qên (Adj-ms) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">is the elder</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: ū·nə·śū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-msc) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">and honorable</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: p̄ā·nîm (N-mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2180.htm" title="2180: haz·zā·nāḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Tail, end, stump. From zanab; the tail.">and the tail</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: wə·nā·ḇî (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">is the prophet</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3384.htm" title="3384: mō·w·reh- (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or yara; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water; transitively, to lay or throw; figuratively, to point out, to teach.">who teaches</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: še·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">lies.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-3.htm">Ezekiel 13:3</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-17</a></span><br />Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a></span><br />“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-28.htm">Ezekiel 22:28</a></span><br />Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a></span><br />For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-31.htm">Jeremiah 5:31</a></span><br />The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29-30</a></span><br />I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Lamentations 2:14</a></span><br />The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail.</p><p class="hdg">ancient</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Isaiah 3:5</a></b></br> And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Isaiah 5:13</a></b></br> Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because <i>they have</i> no knowledge: and their honourable men <i>are</i> famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/9-6.htm">1 Samuel 9:6</a></b></br> And he said unto him, Behold now, <i>there is</i> in this city a man of God, and <i>he is</i> an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.</p><p class="hdg">the prophet</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm">Isaiah 28:17</a></b></br> Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></b></br> For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/13-18.htm">1 Kings 13:18</a></b></br> He said unto him, I <i>am</i> a prophet also as thou <i>art</i>; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. <i>But</i> he lied unto him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Face</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-30.htm">False.</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-18.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-14.htm">Head</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Honorable</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Honored</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Honourable</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Honoured</a> <a href="/songs/1-13.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/esther/9-4.htm">Prominent</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-2.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/psalms/105-15.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-14.htm">Tail</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-3.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/songs/8-2.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-33.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-23.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-20.htm">Teaching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-46.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-23.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-6.htm">False.</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-15.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-15.htm">Head</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-8.htm">Honorable</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-8.htm">Honored</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-8.htm">Honourable</a> <a href="/isaiah/12-4.htm">Honoured</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-6.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/daniel/8-5.htm">Prominent</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-28.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-24.htm">Rank</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-4.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-15.htm">Tail</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-26.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-26.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-14.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Teaching</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions, by the birth and kingdom of Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">The judgments upon Israel for their pride</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-13.htm">For their hypocrisy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">And for their unrepentance</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/9.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/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The head is the elder and honorable man</b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, the "head" symbolizes leadership and authority. Elders were respected figures in society, often serving as judges or leaders within the community. They were expected to embody wisdom and integrity, guiding the people according to God's laws. This phrase highlights the importance of righteous leadership, as seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21</a>, where Moses is advised to appoint capable men who fear God as leaders. The "honorable man" refers to those who hold positions of respect and influence, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to uphold truth and justice.<p><b>and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies</b><br>The "tail" represents false prophets, contrasting with the honorable leaders. In biblical times, prophets were seen as messengers of God, tasked with conveying His truth to the people. However, false prophets, as mentioned in <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a>, led people astray with deceitful messages. This phrase underscores the danger of false teachings and the consequences of straying from God's truth. The imagery of the "tail" suggests a position of lesser importance and integrity, warning against the influence of those who distort God's word for personal gain or to mislead others. This serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and adherence to true prophetic messages, as emphasized in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20-22</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_elder_and_honorable_man.htm">The Elder and Honorable Man</a></b><br>Represents the leaders and those in positions of authority within the society of Israel. In the context of Isaiah, these individuals were expected to guide the people with wisdom and integrity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_prophet.htm">The Prophet</a></b><br>Refers to those who claim to speak on behalf of God but are actually leading people astray with false teachings. In Isaiah's time, false prophets were a significant problem, misleading the people of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom Isaiah is prophesying. At this time, Israel was facing internal corruption and external threats, leading to a need for true guidance and repentance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who delivered God's messages to the people of Israel. His role was to call out the sins of the nation and point them back to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a></b><br>The event or consequence that Isaiah warns will come upon Israel due to their leaders' and prophets' failure to lead righteously.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_leadership.htm">The Responsibility of Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders are held to a high standard and are accountable for guiding others in truth and righteousness. This applies to both spiritual and secular leaders today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_teaching.htm">Discernment in Teaching</a></b><br>Believers must be discerning about the teachings they accept, ensuring they align with Scripture and the character of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_falsehood.htm">Consequences of Falsehood</a></b><br>Teaching lies and leading others astray have serious consequences, both for the leaders and those who follow them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truth.htm">The Importance of Truth</a></b><br>Upholding truth is crucial in maintaining a healthy and God-honoring community. Believers should strive to be people of truth in all areas of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Even when leaders fail, there is always an opportunity for repentance and restoration through God's grace.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">The ancient and honourable . . .</span>--Comp. <a href="/context/isaiah/3-2.htm" title="The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,">Isaiah 3:2-3</a>, for the meaning of the words. These, the prophet seems to say, were the true leaders of the people. The ideal work of the prophet was, indeed, that of a teacher who was to lead even them, but <span class= "ital">corruptio optimi pessima; </span>and to Isaiah, as to Jeremiah, there was no class so contemptible and base as that of spiritual guides whose policy was that of a time-serving selfishness. The verse is rejected by some critics as a marginal note that has found its way into the text; but the prophet may well have given his own interpretation of this formula. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm" title="But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.">Isaiah 28:7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm" title="For the LORD has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered.">Isaiah 29:10</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm" title="Then the LORD said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke to them: they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their heart.">Jeremiah 14:14</a>; <a href="/context/jeremiah/23-9.htm" title="My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.">Jeremiah 23:9-40</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - Some suppose this verse to be a gloss, or marginal note, which has crept into the text; but it is too pointed and sarcastic for a mere gloss. There is no reason to doubt its being Isaiah's. Having spoken of "the tail," he takes the opportunity of lashing the false prophet, who claimed to be among the "honorable," but was really the lowest of the low, worse than his dupes, the true "tail" (comp. <a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/9-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The head</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֹ֑אשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the elder</span><br /><span class="heb">זָקֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(zā·qên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the honorable</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְשׂוּא־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·śū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the tail</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזָּנָֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zā·nāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2180.htm">Strong's 2180: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tail, end, stump</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the prophet</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָבִ֥יא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spokesman, speaker, prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who teaches</span><br /><span class="heb">מֽוֹרֶה־</span> <span class="translit">(mō·w·reh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3384.htm">Strong's 3384: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lies.</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶּׁ֖קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(še·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deception, disappointment, falsehood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/9-15.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 9:15 The elder and the honorable man (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/9-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 9:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 9:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/9-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 9:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 9:16" /></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>