Isaiah 19:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Isaiah challenges Egypt's wise men to explain—if they have any wisdom—what God has determined for Egypt.
The Context of Isaiah 19:12
Isaiah taunts Egypt's wise men to explain God's purposes if they truly possess wisdom.
What Does Isaiah 19:12 Mean?
The challenge is rhetorical: let Egypt's vaunted wise men come forward and explain God's purposes. The question 'where are they?' implies they are either absent, silent, or powerless. If they truly possessed wisdom, they should be able to understand and articulate what the Lord has determined. But they cannot, revealing the bankruptcy of their claimed wisdom.
This verse invokes the superior knowledge of God. True wisdom is knowing God's will and purposes. Egypt's counselors, lacking this divine insight, cannot speak with authority. Only those aligned with God's purposes can truly claim wisdom. The test of genuine wisdom is whether it recognizes the reality of God's judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 19:12
What does Isaiah 19:12 mean?
Isaiah challenges Egypt's wise men to explain—if they have any wisdom—what God has determined for Egypt.
What is the context of Isaiah 19:12?
Isaiah taunts Egypt's wise men to explain God's purposes if they truly possess wisdom.