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Isaiah 19:13
ESV The princes of Zoan have become fools, and the princes of Memphis are deluded; those who are the cornerstones of her tribes have made Egypt stagger.
NIV The officials of Zoan have become fools, the leaders of Memphis are deceived; the cornerstones of her peoples have led Egypt astray.
NASB The officials of Zoan have turned out to be fools, The officials of Memphis are deluded; Those who are the cornerstone of her tribes Have led Egypt astray.
CSB The princes of Zoan have been fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. Her tribal chieftains have led Egypt astray.
NLT The officials of Zoan are fools, and the officials of Memphis are deluded. The leaders of the people have led Egypt astray.
KJV The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.

What does Isaiah 19:13 mean?

Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 19:1) is dismantling the myth that Egypt could be a strong and unbeatable ally. Israel would have been tempted to make alliances in fear of invaders. Yet, whether against the Assyrians or the Babylonians, Egypt was like any other nation: owing any success it has to the Lord. They are also just as subject to the Lord's judgment. When that happens, the Egyptian people will lose their courage and turn on each other (Isaiah 19:2). They will turn to occult practices to look for answers (Isaiah 19:3). A fierce king will swoop in and take over the country (Isaiah 19:4). The Lord will dry up the Nile, dismantling the entire Egyptian economy in the process (Isaiah 19:5–10).

Now the prophet has added that, against the wisdom and power of God, the best and brightest of Egypt's wise men are half-witted. The "princes" mentioned here would be leaders giving direct counsel and advice to the Pharaoh. They cannot provide a single clue about God's plans against them (Isaiah 19:11–12). The princes in the important cities of Zoan and Memphis may think they are geniuses, but measured against God's judgment they are "deluded" fools. When the leadership of the nation is clueless, the entire nation will stagger and begin to disintegrate. Isaiah has said that's exactly what is coming for Egypt.
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