Isaiah 9:15
What does Isaiah 9:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 9:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 9:15 means
This verse clarifies the identity of those who constitute the "head" and "tail" cut off by God's judgment, as mentioned in the previous verse. The "elder and the honorable man" are identified as the "head," representing the respected and influential leaders of the nation. In stark contrast, "the prophet that teacheth lies" is designated as the "tail," signifying those who, despite their religious position, lead the people astray with falsehoods and deception. This distinction shows that God's judgment targets both corrupt secular authority and false religious guidance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The man who is honoured and responsible is the head, and the prophet who gives false teaching is the tail.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Elder, and accepted of face, he <FI>is<Fi> the head, Prophet, teacher of falsehood, he <FI>is<Fi> the tail.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The aged and honourable, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890the ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
Context
This verse directly defines the metaphorical "head and tail" from verse 14, making clear which societal groups are subject to God's comprehensive judgment. It provides specific examples of the corrupt leadership. This context is vital as it clarifies the previous general statement, leading directly to the explanation of *why* such leaders are being judged: they cause the people to err.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 13:18
And he said unto him, I also am a prophet as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Bring him back with thee into thy house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
- Jeremiah 27:9
But as for you, hearken ye not to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreams, nor to your soothsayers, nor to your sorcerers, that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
- Hosea 9:8
Ephraim was a watchman with my God: as for the prophet, a fowler’s snare is in all his ways, and enmity in the house of his God.
- Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
- Jeremiah 23:25
I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
- Jeremiah 23:9
Concerning the prophets. My heart within me is broken, all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of Jehovah, and because of his holy words.
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