Verse

Isaiah 19:14

ESV The Lord has mingled within her a spirit of confusion, and they will make Egypt stagger in all its deeds, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.
NIV The Lord has poured into them a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does, as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit.
NASB The Lord has mixed within her a spirit of distortion; They have led Egypt astray in all that it does, As a drunken person staggers in his vomit.
CSB The Lord has mixed within her a spirit of confusion. The leaders have made Egypt stagger in all she does, as a drunkard staggers in his vomit.
NLT The Lord has sent a spirit of foolishness on them, so all their suggestions are wrong. They cause Egypt to stagger like a drunk in his vomit.
KJV The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
NKJV The Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst; And they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, As a drunken man staggers in his vomit.

What does Isaiah 19:14 mean?

Despite their fear of invasion, Israel is being warned not to rely on alliances with nations such as Egypt (Isaiah 19:1). The best and brightest of Egypt's wise men are the "princes" who advise the Pharaoh (Isaiah 19:11–13). Though brilliant by worldly standards, these men may as well be fools who deliver inane counsel.

Now the prophecy reveals why these otherwise intelligent men are so clueless. It is part of the Lord's judgment against Egypt. He has stirred into Egypt a spirit of confusion. God has prevented the wise ones of Egypt from thinking straight. Isaiah compares the effect of the Lord's judgment to what happens when a person becomes drunk. The wise men have nothing of value to add. Egypt will be so confused that they will be like an inebriated man tripping over his own vomit.

Not surprisingly, Isaiah's prophecy was delivered during the declining years of the once great nation of Egypt. The nation fell into division and was conquered and ruled by other nations. This was the work of God, as He had promised. Romans 1 describes foolishness as fate of every society that refuses to recognize the Lord God of Israel: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:21–22).
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