Isaiah 9:16
New International Version
Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.

New Living Translation
For the leaders of the people have misled them. They have led them down the path of destruction.

English Standard Version
for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Berean Standard Bible
For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

King James Bible
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

New King James Version
For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed.

New American Standard Bible
For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are confused.

NASB 1995
For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.

NASB 1977
For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.

Legacy Standard Bible
For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.

Amplified Bible
For those who lead this people are causing them to go astray; And those who are led [astray] by them are swallowed up.

Christian Standard Bible
The leaders of the people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The leaders of the people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

American Standard Version
For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Contemporary English Version
They had led the nation down the wrong path, and the people were confused.

English Revised Version
For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who guide these people lead them astray. Those who are guided by them will be destroyed.

Good News Translation
Those who lead these people have misled them and totally confused them.

International Standard Version
For those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Majority Standard Bible
For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

NET Bible
The leaders of this nation were misleading people, and the people being led were destroyed.

New Heart English Bible
For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led by them are destroyed.

World English Bible
For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the eulogists of this people are causing to err, "" And its eulogized ones are consumed.

Young's Literal Translation
And the eulogists of this people are causing to err, And its eulogised ones are consumed.

Smith's Literal Translation
And there will be those leading this people causing them to wander; and those being led being swallowed up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they that call this people blessed, shall cause them to err: and they that are called blessed, shall be thrown down headlong.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And those who deceitfully praise this people, and those who are praised, will be thrown down violently.

New American Bible
Those who lead this people lead them astray, and those who are led are swallowed up.

New Revised Standard Version
for those who led this people led them astray, and those who were led by them were left in confusion.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the leaders of this people shall cause them to err and cause them to sink low.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall be the benefactors of this people, deceiving and sinking it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For they that lead this people cause them to err; And they that are led of them are destroyed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they that pronounce this people blessed shall mislead them; and they mislead them that they may devour them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Against Israel's Hypocrisy
15The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. 16For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up. 17Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.…

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

Jeremiah 23:13-15
“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. / And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” / Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”

Ezekiel 13:10
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

Matthew 23:16
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

2 Peter 2:1-2
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Ezekiel 22:28
Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Lamentations 2:14
The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.


Treasury of Scripture

For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

the leaders, etc.

Isaiah 3:12
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

Matthew 15:14
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 23:16
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

led of them.

Numbers 6:23-26
Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, …

1 Kings 8:55,56
And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, …

2 Chronicles 30:27
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

destroyed.

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Astray Cause Causing Confusion Consumed Destroyed Destruction Err Eulogists Guide Guided Guides Lead Leading Mislead Ones Right Swallowed Wandering Way
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Astray Cause Causing Confusion Consumed Destroyed Destruction Err Eulogists Guide Guided Guides Lead Leading Mislead Ones Right Swallowed Wandering Way
Isaiah 9
1. What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions, by the birth and kingdom of Christ
8. The judgments upon Israel for their pride
13. For their hypocrisy
18. And for their unrepentance














For those who guide this people
The Hebrew word for "guide" here is "מְאַשְּׁרֵי" (me'ashrei), which implies leading or directing. In the context of ancient Israel, leaders were expected to shepherd the people in accordance with God's laws and commandments. Historically, this role was often filled by kings, priests, and prophets. The failure of these leaders to adhere to divine guidance resulted in the spiritual and moral decline of the nation. This phrase serves as a reminder of the immense responsibility placed upon leaders to guide their people in truth and righteousness, reflecting the biblical principle that leadership is a divine calling with eternal consequences.

mislead them
The Hebrew root for "mislead" is "תָּעָה" (ta'ah), meaning to err, wander, or go astray. This conveys a sense of leading people away from the path of truth and righteousness. In the biblical context, misleading often involved turning people away from worshiping Yahweh to follow false gods or corrupt practices. The historical context of Isaiah's prophecy includes a time when Israel and Judah were led astray by their leaders into idolatry and alliances with pagan nations, which ultimately led to their downfall. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual deception and the importance of discernment.

and those they mislead
This phrase highlights the tragic consequence of poor leadership: the people themselves become victims of deception. The Hebrew word "נִהְגִּים" (nihgim) suggests being led or driven, indicating a passive following of those in authority. In a spiritual sense, this reflects the vulnerability of the people who rely on their leaders for guidance. The biblical narrative often shows that when leaders fail, the people suffer, emphasizing the need for leaders to be grounded in truth and for followers to seek wisdom and understanding.

are swallowed up
The phrase "swallowed up" comes from the Hebrew "בֻּלָּעִים" (bulla'im), which can mean to be engulfed or consumed. This imagery is powerful, suggesting total destruction or ruin. In the historical context of Isaiah, this could refer to the impending judgment and exile that would come upon Israel and Judah due to their collective sin and rebellion. Spiritually, it serves as a warning of the ultimate consequences of turning away from God. The imagery of being swallowed up is a vivid reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and return to God's ways.

Verse 16. - The leaders of this people cause them to err (comp. Isaiah 3:12). Both the peoples were led into idolatry by their rulers, but Israel especially. Jeroboam, the first king, introduced the calf-worship, and his successors from first to last persisted in his sin. Ahab added the still grosset idolatry of Baal. Those who held high position under the kings were equally bad examples to the people (see above, Isaiah 1:2:3). Are destroyed. First, morally corrupted and debased, then physically given over to destruction - slaughtered by Philistines, Syrians, and Assyrians.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
וַיִּֽהְי֛וּ (way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

those who guide
מְאַשְּׁרֵ֥י (mə·’aš·šə·rê)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 833: To be straight, to go forward, be honest, proper

this people
הָֽעָם־ (hā·‘ām-)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

mislead them,
מַתְעִ֑ים (maṯ·‘îm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray

and those they mislead
וּמְאֻשָּׁרָ֖יו (ū·mə·’uš·šā·rāw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 833: To be straight, to go forward, be honest, proper

are swallowed up.
מְבֻלָּעִֽים׃ (mə·ḇul·lā·‘îm)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1104: To swallow down, swallow up, engulf


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 9:16 For those who lead this people lead (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 9:15
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