Isaiah 19:14 Meaning and Explanation
“The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God has sent confusion and spiritual delusion into Egypt, causing it to stagger in its efforts like a drunken man.
The Context of Isaiah 19:14
God actively sends spiritual confusion upon Egypt, causing total disorientation in all activities.
What Does Isaiah 19:14 Mean?
God 'mingles a perverse spirit' into Egypt—actively sending confusion and disorientation. This isn't merely passive withdrawal of wisdom but active divine intervention to confound judgment. The result is that Egypt 'errs in every work'—nothing they attempt succeeds. Every effort becomes misguided, every decision compounds the failure.
The comparison to 'a drunken man staggering in his vomit' is deliberately degrading and vivid. It pictures complete loss of control, dignity, and direction. The judgment is not just practical failure but spiritual and moral debasement. This shows the humiliation that accompanies rejection of God.
Isaiah 19:14 in the Original Language
ruaḥ niḵlal (רוּחַ נִכְלָל), 'perverse spirit'—niḵlal means twisted, confused, disoriented; God actively sends this condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 19:14
What does Isaiah 19:14 mean?
God has sent confusion and spiritual delusion into Egypt, causing it to stagger in its efforts like a drunken man.
What is the context of Isaiah 19:14?
God actively sends spiritual confusion upon Egypt, causing total disorientation in all activities.