New International Version There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm branch or reed. New Living Translation There is nothing Egypt can do. All are helpless— the head and the tail, the noble palm branch and the lowly reed. English Standard Version And there will be nothing for Egypt that head or tail, palm branch or reed, may do. Berean Standard Bible There is nothing Egypt can do—head or tail, palm or reed. Berean Literal Bible And there will not be work for Egypt that one could do—head or tail, palm branch or reed, King James Bible Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do. New King James Version Neither will there be any work for Egypt, Which the head or tail, Palm branch or bulrush, may do. New American Standard Bible There will be no work for Egypt Which its head or tail, its palm branch or bulrush, may do. NASB 1995 There will be no work for Egypt Which its head or tail, its palm branch or bulrush, may do. NASB 1977 And there will be no work for Egypt Which its head or tail, its palm branch or bulrush, may do. Legacy Standard Bible There will be no work for Egypt Which its head or tail, its palm branch or bulrush, may do. Amplified Bible There will be no work for Egypt Which head or tail, [high] palm branch or [low] bulrush, may do. Berean Annotated Bible There is nothing Egypt (land of bondage) can do—head or tail, palm or reed. Christian Standard Bible No head or tail, palm or reed, will be able to do anything for Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible No head or tail, palm or reed, will be able to do anything for Egypt. American Standard Version Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do. Contemporary English Version No one in Egypt can do a thing, no matter who they are. English Revised Version Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do. GOD'S WORD® Translation No one-leaders or followers, important or unimportant- can do anything for Egypt. Good News Translation No one in Egypt, rich or poor, important or unknown, can offer help. International Standard Version As a result, there will be nothing for Egypt that head or tail, palm branch or reed, can do. NET Bible Egypt will not be able to do a thing, head or tail, shoots and stalk. New Heart English Bible Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do. Webster's Bible Translation Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may perform. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThere is nothing Egypt can do—head or tail, palm or reed. World English Bible Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd there is no work to Egypt, "" That head or tail, branch or reed, may do. Berean Literal Bible And there will not be work for Egypt that one could do—head or tail, palm branch or reed, Young's Literal Translation And there is no work to Egypt, That head or tail, branch or reed, may do. Smith's Literal Translation And there shall not be to Egypt a work which shall make head and tail, branch and reed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd there shall be no work for Egypt, to make head or tail, him that bendeth down, or that holdeth back. Catholic Public Domain Version And there will be no work for Egypt that would produce a head or a tail, one who bows down or one who refrains from bowing down. New American Bible Egypt shall accomplish nothing— neither head nor tail, palm branch nor reed, shall accomplish anything. New Revised Standard Version Neither head nor tail, palm branch or reed, will be able to do anything for Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNeither shall there be any leader for the Egyptians who can make head or tail of it, or tail or head. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Egyptian shall not have a man who will make head or tail or tail or head OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, Which head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do. Brenton Septuagint Translation And there shall be no work to the Egyptians, which shall make head or tail, or beginning or end. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context An Oracle Concerning Egypt…14The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit. 15There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm or reed. Cross References There is nothing Egypt can do— Isaiah 30:7 Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still. Jeremiah 46:11 Go up to Gilead for balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt! In vain you try many remedies, but for you there is no healing. head or tail, Isaiah 9:14-15 So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. / The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. Deuteronomy 28:44 He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him. He will be the head, and you will be the tail. palm or reed. John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Isaiah 36:6 Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. Ezekiel 30:21-22 “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand. Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound. Isaiah 31:3 But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together. Jeremiah 30:13 There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sores, no recovery for you. Ezekiel 29:6-7 Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. / When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched. Isaiah 20:5-6 Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. / And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’” Isaiah 30:3 But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. Isaiah 30:5 everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them. They bring neither help nor benefit, but only shame and disgrace.” Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. 2 Kings 18:21 Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. Treasury of Scripture Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do. Isaiah 9:14,15 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day… Psalm 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Jump to Previous Branch Bulrush Egypt Head High Low Palm Palm-Branch Perform Reed Rush Tail WorkJump to Next Branch Bulrush Egypt Head High Low Palm Palm-Branch Perform Reed Rush Tail WorkIsaiah 19 1. The confusion of Egypt11. The foolishness of their princes 18. The calling of Egypt into the church 23. The covenant of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel There is nothing Egypt can do— Egypt’s renowned power, counsel, and institutions will fail under God’s judgment. Neither military strength nor political wisdom will provide a remedy. Isa 30:7 Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called… head or tail, From rulers and officials to the lowest members of society, no level of the nation will be able to reverse its collapse. Isa 9:14-15 So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail,… palm or reed. The strong and prominent, pictured by the palm, and the weak and dependent, pictured by the reed, will alike prove unable to deliver Egypt. Jhn 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting:… Persons / Places / Events 1. EgyptA significant nation in biblical history, often representing worldly power and opposition to God's people. In Isaiah 19, Egypt is under judgment from God. 2. Isaiah A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's prophecies often include messages of judgment and hope, addressing both Israel and surrounding nations. 3. Judgment The context of Isaiah 19 is a prophecy of judgment against Egypt, highlighting their helplessness and the futility of their efforts apart from God. Teaching Points The Futility of Human EffortIsaiah 19:15 illustrates the complete inability of Egypt to save itself, symbolized by "head or tail, palm branch or reed." This serves as a reminder that human efforts, apart from God, are ultimately futile. God's Sovereignty Over Nations The prophecy against Egypt underscores God's control over all nations. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty rather than in worldly powers. The Call to Repentance The judgment on Egypt serves as a warning and a call to repentance. It reminds us that turning away from God leads to helplessness and judgment. Dependence on God Just as Egypt could do nothing without God, we are reminded of our need to depend on Him in all aspects of life, seeking His guidance and strength. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 19:15?2. How does Isaiah 19:15 illustrate God's sovereignty over nations and their leaders? 3. What lessons can we learn from Egypt's helplessness in Isaiah 19:15? 4. How does Isaiah 19:15 connect to God's judgment in other Bible passages? 5. How can Isaiah 19:15 inspire us to trust God's ultimate plan today? 6. What practical steps can we take when feeling powerless, as in Isaiah 19:15? 7. What does Isaiah 19:15 reveal about God's judgment on Egypt? 8. How does Isaiah 19:15 fit into the broader context of Isaiah's prophecies? 9. What historical events might Isaiah 19:15 be referencing? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 19? (15) The head or tail, branch or rush.--For this figurative description of all classes of the people, see Note on Isaiah 9:14.Verse 15. - Neither shall there be, etc. Translate, And there shall be for Egypt no work in which both the head and the tail, both the palm branch and the rush, may (conjointly) work. The general spirit of perverseness shall prevent all union of high with low, rich with poor. Isaiah 19:15 compresses a sweeping verdict into one sentence: when the LORD moves in judgment, an entire nation—leaders and followers, strong and weak—finds itself utterly powerless. Egypt’s story warns every generation not to trust in human structures, status, or strength. Only the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth, can be counted on in the day of reckoning—and, by grace, He later promises healing to the same Egypt that first felt His rod (Isaiah 19:22-25). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew There isיִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be nothing וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Egypt לְמִצְרַ֖יִם (lə·miṣ·ra·yim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa can do— יַעֲשֶׂ֛ה (ya·‘ă·śeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make head רֹ֥אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7218: The head or tail, וְזָנָ֖ב (wə·zā·nāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2180: Tail, end, stump palm כִּפָּ֥ה (kip·pāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3712: A branch, frond (of a palm tree) or reed. וְאַגְמֽוֹן׃ (wə·’aḡ·mō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 100: A bulrush, a rope of bulrushes Additonal Resources Isaiah 19:15 Blue Letter BibleIsaiah 19:15 Bible Gateway Isaiah 19:15 Bible.com Isaiah 19:15 NIV |
    |