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Isaiah 19:15

Egypt

13 The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.

14 The 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.

There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm or reed.

16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them.

17 The land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble over what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm or reed.
KJV
Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.
WEB
Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which head or tail, palm branch or rush, may do.
ASV
Neither shall there be for Egypt any work, which head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do.
DARBY
Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, palm-branch or rush, may do.
BLB
And there will not be work for Egypt that one could do—head or tail, palm branch or reed,
ÅB
Og ikke skal noen gjerning lykkes for Egypt, enten det så er hode eller hale, palmegren eller siv som gjør den.
OTB
Det er ingenting Egypt kan gjøre—hode eller hale, palmegren eller siv.
B1930
Og ikke skal nogen gjerning lykkes for Egypten, enten det så er hode eller hale, palmegren eller siv som gjør den.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 9:14–15

    So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 128:2

    For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 14:23

    There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

    Read in context

  • Habakkuk 3:17

    Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls,

    Read in context

  • Haggai 1:11

    I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

    and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

    Read in context