Isaiah 9:15

15 The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.

Isaiah 9:15 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 9:15

The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head
The elder in office, not in age; and who, on account of his office, dignity, and riches, is honoured by men, is of a venerable countenance himself, and is reverenced when seen and looked upon by others, and received by persons with pleasure and cheerfulness; as the phrase used signifies. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "who admire", or "have" men's "persons in admiration"; which is the character Jude gives of false teachers, ( Jude 1:16 ) who are next described: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail;
so called from their low extract, being often of a mean original and descent; or rather from the meanness of their spirits, their flattery of princes and great men, to whom they tell lies, and prophesy smooth and false things, for the sake of a little sordid gain, in allusion to dogs that wag their tails at their masters; or from the poison of their doctrines, some creatures having poison in their tails, and do much mischief with them. See ( Revelation 9:19 ) .

Isaiah 9:15 In-Context

13 For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.

14 Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, Palm branch and bulrush in one day.

15 The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed.

17 Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, Nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, And every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.