Isaiah 19:12
New International Version
Where are your wise men now? Let them show you and make known what the LORD Almighty has planned against Egypt.

New Living Translation
Where are your wise counselors, Pharaoh? Let them tell you what God plans, what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies is going to do to Egypt.

English Standard Version
Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you that they might know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt.

King James Bible
Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

New King James Version
Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, And let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

New American Standard Bible
Well then, where are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what the LORD of armies Has planned against Egypt.

NASB 1995
Well then, where are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what the LORD of hosts Has purposed against Egypt.

NASB 1977
Well then, where are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what the LORD of hosts Has purposed against Egypt.

Legacy Standard Bible
Well then, where are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what Yahweh of hosts Has counseled against Egypt.

Amplified Bible
Where then are your wise men? Please let them tell you, And let them understand what the LORD of hosts Has purposed against Egypt [if they can].

Christian Standard Bible
Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Armies has planned against Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt.

American Standard Version
Where then are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now; and let them know what Jehovah of hosts hath purposed concerning Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
Where are those wise men now? If they can, let them say what the LORD All-Powerful intends for Egypt.

English Revised Version
Where then are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now; and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed concerning Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you. Let them explain what the LORD of Armies is planning against Egypt.

Good News Translation
King of Egypt, where are those clever advisers of yours? Perhaps they can tell you what plans the LORD Almighty has for Egypt.

International Standard Version
Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you, let them make known what the LORD has planned against Egypt.

Majority Standard Bible
Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt.

NET Bible
But where, oh where, are your wise men? Let them tell you, let them find out what the LORD who commands armies has planned for Egypt.

New Heart English Bible
Where then are your sages? And let them tell you now; and let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed concerning Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

World English Bible
Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you now; and let them know what Yahweh of Armies has purposed concerning Egypt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Where [are] they now, your wise ones? Indeed, let them now tell [it] to you, "" And they know what YHWH of Hosts has counseled against Egypt!

Young's Literal Translation
Where are they now, thy wise ones? Yea, let them tell to thee, I pray thee, And they know what Jehovah of Hosts hath counselled against Egypt!

Smith's Literal Translation
Where are they? where thy wise? and they shall announce to thee now, and they shall make known what Jehovah shall counsel upon Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where are now thy wise men? let them tell thee, and shew what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Where are your wisemen now? Let them announce it to you, and let them reveal what the Lord of hosts intends for Egypt.

New American Bible
Where then are your wise men? Let them tell you and make known What the LORD of hosts has planned against Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
Where now are your sages? Let them tell you and make known what the LORD of hosts has planned against Egypt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Where are your wise men? They shall show you and they shall know what LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts has purposed against Egypt.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Where are they, then, thy wise men? And let them tell thee now; And let them know what the LORD of hosts Hath purposed concerning Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Where are now thy wise men? and let them declare to thee, and say, What has the Lord of hosts purposed upon Egypt?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An Oracle Concerning Egypt
11The 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”? 12Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. 13The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 8:9
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?

1 Corinthians 1:20
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?

Job 12:17
He leads counselors away barefoot and makes fools of judges.

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Jeremiah 49:7
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?

Obadiah 1:8
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?

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Daniel 2:27-28
Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Isaiah 47:13
You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.

Ezekiel 28:3-4
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.

1 Corinthians 2:6-8
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Job 5:12-13
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. / He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

Romans 1:22
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,


Treasury of Scripture

Where are they? where are your wise men? and let them tell you now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed on Egypt.

where are thy

Isaiah 5:21
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Isaiah 47:10-13
For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me…

Judges 9:38
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

let them

Isaiah 40:13,14
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him? …

Isaiah 41:22,23
Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come…

Isaiah 44:7
And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

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Isaiah 19
1. The confusion of Egypt
11. The foolishness of their princes
18. The calling of Egypt into the church
23. The covenant of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel














Where are your wise men now?
This phrase challenges the wisdom and insight of Egypt's counselors. In the Hebrew context, "wise men" (חֲכָמִים, chakhamim) refers to those considered skilled in understanding and interpreting signs, often associated with magicians or advisors in ancient courts. Historically, Egypt was renowned for its wisdom and learning, with a rich tradition of scribes and scholars. This rhetorical question underscores the futility of human wisdom when confronted with divine plans, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God alone.

Let them tell you
This phrase is a call to the Egyptian wise men to demonstrate their supposed knowledge and insight. It implies a test of their ability to foresee or understand the divine will. The challenge is not just to speak but to reveal truth, highlighting the limitations of human understanding without divine revelation. In the biblical narrative, this echoes the account of Joseph, who, through God's wisdom, interpreted Pharaoh's dreams when the Egyptian magicians could not (Genesis 41).

and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned
The term "LORD of Hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, Yahweh Tseva'ot) is a powerful title for God, emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the armies of heaven and earth. The phrase "has planned" (יָעַץ, ya'atz) indicates a divine purpose or counsel that is beyond human comprehension. This highlights the theme of God's ultimate authority and the futility of opposing His will. The use of "reveal" suggests that only through divine revelation can the true nature of God's plans be understood, reinforcing the idea that human wisdom is insufficient.

against Egypt
Egypt, a symbol of worldly power and wisdom, is the object of God's judgment in this context. Historically, Egypt was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, often seen as a place of refuge and strength. However, this phrase indicates a divine shift, where Egypt's reliance on its own strength and wisdom is shown to be inadequate. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and self-reliance, urging nations and individuals to seek God's guidance and submit to His will.

Verse 12. - Where are they? where, etc.? rather, Where, then, are thy wise men? If thou hast any, let them come forward and predict the coming course of events, what Jehovah has determined to do (compare similar challenges in the later chapters of the book, Isaiah 41:21-23; Isaiah 43:9; Isaiah 48:14, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Where
אַיָּם֙ (’ay·yām)
Interrogative | third person masculine plural
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

are your wise men
חֲכָמֶ֔יךָ (ḥă·ḵā·me·ḵā)
Adjective - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

now?
אֵפ֣וֹא (’ê·p̄ō·w)
Conjunction
Strong's 645: Here, now, then

Let them tell you
וְיַגִּ֥ידוּ (wə·yag·gî·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

and reveal
וְיֵ֣דְע֔וּ (wə·yê·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

of Hosts
צְבָא֖וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

has planned
יָּעַ֛ץ (yā·‘aṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Egypt.
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:12 Where then are your wise men? Let (Isa Isi Is)
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