Isaiah 19:14-15

19:14 The Lord has made them undiscerning; ¹ 

they lead Egypt astray in all she does,

so that she is like a drunk sliding around in his own vomit. ² 

19:15 Egypt will not be able to do a thing,

head or tail, shoots and stalk. ³ 

[19:14]  ¹ tn Heb “the Lord has mixed into her midst a spirit of blindness.”

[19:14]  ² tn Heb “like the going astray of a drunkard in his vomit.”

[19:15]  ³ tn Heb “And there will not be for Egypt a deed, which head and tail, shoot and stalk can do.” In 9:14-15 the phrase “head or tail” refers to leaders and prophets, respectively. This interpretation makes good sense in this context, where both leaders and advisers (probably including prophets and diviners) are mentioned (vv. 11-14). Here, as in 9:14, “shoots and stalk” picture a reed, which symbolizes the leadership of the nation in its entirety.