Isaiah 19:15
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.

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.

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.

Majority Standard Bible
There is nothing Egypt can do?head or tail, palm or reed.

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.

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 Version
And there is no work to Egypt, "" That head or tail, branch or reed, may do.

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 Bible
And 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 Bible
Neither 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 1917
Neither 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



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
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.

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 30:7
Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.

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.

Lamentations 4:17
All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.


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 Work
Jump to Next
Branch Bulrush Egypt Head High Low Palm Palm-Branch Perform Reed Rush Tail Work
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














There is nothing Egypt can do—
This phrase indicates a state of helplessness and futility. Historically, Egypt was a powerful nation known for its military strength and cultural influence. However, this prophecy suggests a time when Egypt's power and wisdom would be rendered ineffective. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 40:15, where nations are described as a drop in a bucket before God. The phrase underscores the idea that human strength and wisdom are ultimately powerless without divine support.

head or tail,
The terms "head" and "tail" symbolize the entirety of a nation, from its leaders (head) to its common people (tail). This imagery is used elsewhere in scripture, such as in Deuteronomy 28:13, where Israel is promised to be the head and not the tail if they obey God. In this context, it emphasizes that no part of Egyptian society, whether the ruling class or the general populace, will be able to avert the judgment pronounced by God. It reflects a complete and total inability to respond effectively to the impending crisis.

palm or reed.
"Palm" and "reed" further illustrate the comprehensive nature of Egypt's impotence. The palm tree, often associated with strength and victory, contrasts with the reed, which is fragile and easily swayed. This juxtaposition highlights that both the strong and the weak elements of Egyptian society will be equally ineffective. The imagery of the reed is reminiscent of Isaiah 36:6, where Egypt is described as a broken reed of a staff, unreliable and unable to support those who lean on it. This serves as a metaphor for the futility of relying on human power and wisdom instead of trusting in God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Egypt
A 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 Effort
Isaiah 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.(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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There is
יִהְיֶ֥ה (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


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 19:15 Neither shall there be for Egypt any (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 19:14
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