Isaiah 9:15
The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
Original Language Analysis
וּנְשׂוּא
H5375
וּנְשׂוּא
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 10
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
פָנִ֖ים
and honourable
H6440
פָנִ֖ים
and honourable
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
ה֥וּא
he
H1931
ה֥וּא
he
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָרֹ֑אשׁ
is the head
H7218
הָרֹ֑אשׁ
is the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
5 of 10
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
מֽוֹרֶה
that teacheth
H3384
מֽוֹרֶה
that teacheth
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
Cross References
Isaiah 29:10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Ezekiel 13:19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?1 Samuel 9:6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
Historical Context
Israel's false prophets contradicted God's word through Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos. They prophesied prosperity and peace when judgment was imminent (cf. 1 Kings 22 where 400 false prophets contradicted Micaiah). Archaeological evidence includes pagan shrines at Dan and Bethel where state-sponsored false religion flourished. When judgment came, these prophets' lies were exposed, but they had already led millions to destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish true biblical teaching from persuasive but false doctrine?
- What are characteristics of false teachers in our contemporary context?
- Why is doctrinal accuracy not just academic but literally a matter of eternal significance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verse 15 clarifies verse 14's metaphor. The 'ancient and honourable' are the head (leadership); the lying prophet is the tail (misleading followers). The inversion is significant—prophets should be heads (spiritual leaders), but false prophets become tails (lowest, most despised). 'The prophet that teacheth lies' is singled out for special condemnation. False teaching doesn't just fail to help; it actively destroys. This underscores the critical importance of sound doctrine—eternal consequences hang on whether teaching aligns with God's revealed truth.