The head is the elder and honorable manIn the context of ancient Israel, the "head" symbolizes leadership and authority. Elders were respected figures in society, often serving as judges or leaders within the community. They were expected to embody wisdom and integrity, guiding the people according to God's laws. This phrase highlights the importance of righteous leadership, as seen in passages like
Exodus 18:21, where Moses is advised to appoint capable men who fear God as leaders. The "honorable man" refers to those who hold positions of respect and influence, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to uphold truth and justice.
and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies
The "tail" represents false prophets, contrasting with the honorable leaders. In biblical times, prophets were seen as messengers of God, tasked with conveying His truth to the people. However, false prophets, as mentioned inJeremiah 23:16, led people astray with deceitful messages. This phrase underscores the danger of false teachings and the consequences of straying from God's truth. The imagery of the "tail" suggests a position of lesser importance and integrity, warning against the influence of those who distort God's word for personal gain or to mislead others. This serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and adherence to true prophetic messages, as emphasized inDeuteronomy 18:20-22.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Elder and Honorable ManRepresents the leaders and those in positions of authority within the society of Israel. In the context of Isaiah, these individuals were expected to guide the people with wisdom and integrity.
2.
The ProphetRefers to those who claim to speak on behalf of God but are actually leading people astray with false teachings. In Isaiah's time, false prophets were a significant problem, misleading the people of Israel.
3.
IsraelThe nation to whom Isaiah is prophesying. At this time, Israel was facing internal corruption and external threats, leading to a need for true guidance and repentance.
4.
IsaiahThe prophet who delivered God's messages to the people of Israel. His role was to call out the sins of the nation and point them back to God.
5.
JudgmentThe event or consequence that Isaiah warns will come upon Israel due to their leaders' and prophets' failure to lead righteously.
Teaching Points
The Responsibility of LeadershipLeaders are held to a high standard and are accountable for guiding others in truth and righteousness. This applies to both spiritual and secular leaders today.
Discernment in TeachingBelievers must be discerning about the teachings they accept, ensuring they align with Scripture and the character of God.
Consequences of FalsehoodTeaching lies and leading others astray have serious consequences, both for the leaders and those who follow them.
The Importance of TruthUpholding truth is crucial in maintaining a healthy and God-honoring community. Believers should strive to be people of truth in all areas of life.
Repentance and RestorationEven when leaders fail, there is always an opportunity for repentance and restoration through God's grace.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 9:15?
2.How does Isaiah 9:15 describe the consequences of false leadership in society?
3.What role do "elders" and "prophets" play according to Isaiah 9:15?
4.How can we discern false leaders today, based on Isaiah 9:15?
5.Connect Isaiah 9:15 with Jesus' teachings on leadership in the Gospels.
6.How can Isaiah 9:15 guide our prayers for current leaders?
7.How does Isaiah 9:15 define the "head" and "tail" in a spiritual context?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Isaiah 9:15?
9.How does Isaiah 9:15 relate to the leadership and guidance in today's world?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 9?
11.Who do you say I am?
12.Is Zeitgeist the Movie a reliable source?
13.Why does the text emphasize mourning rituals in Isaiah 15:2-3 if the city's destruction was as instantaneous as indicated?
14.What does it mean to know Jesus as Savior?What Does Isaiah 9:15 Mean
The head• Isaiah names those at the top of Israel’s life as “the head.” These are the ones meant to provide wisdom and direction—city elders, judges, tribal chiefs, family patriarchs (Deuteronomy 1:13-17;Proverbs 31:23).
• God’s design was that His covenant people would “be the head and not the tail” when they obeyed Him (Deuteronomy 28:13-14). Instead, verse 13 of the same chapter shows they refused to return to Him, so judgment begins with their leaders (James 3:1;1 Peter 4:17).
• What the head embraces, the body follows; therefore, corrupt leadership guarantees national ruin (Isaiah 3:12).
is the elder and honorable man• “Elder and honorable” speaks of age, experience, and public esteem (Leviticus 19:32;1 Timothy 5:17). God affirms that such positions are real and carry authority.
• Honor, however, must sit on the foundation of obedience to the Lord. When elders abandon truth, their honor is an empty shell, ready for removal (Ezekiel 14:1-8).
• The text says “is,” not “was,” reminding us that status and accountability remain even in disobedience (Numbers 20:12). Leadership cannot escape responsibility.
and the tail• “Tail” pictures the lowest, most inconsequential part—what drags behind (Deuteronomy 28:44). Together with “head,” it frames the entire nation under God’s scrutiny (Isaiah 9:14).
• The pairing stresses that sin is not confined to one class; it runs from top to bottom (Isaiah 1:4-6).
• In judgment, God will sever head and tail alike, proving nothing is hidden from Him.
is the prophet who teaches lies• Prophets should declare the Lord’s very words (Deuteronomy 18:18-22). When they invent messages, they become agents of deception, earning the label “tail.”
• False prophecy soothes rebellion instead of confronting it (Jeremiah 6:14; 23:16-17). This drags the nation deeper into darkness, multiplying guilt.
• Jesus echoes Isaiah’s warning: “Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15). Paul likewise cautions against “evil men and impostors” who go “from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13; 4:3-4).
• God’s verdict is severe: the lying prophet must die (Deuteronomy 18:20). Historically, the Assyrian invasion soon proved Isaiah’s words true (2 Kings 17:5-18).
summaryIsaiah 9:15 draws a clear, literal line: Israel’s “head” is its elder and honorable leadership, while its “tail” is the prophet who teaches lies. Both ends of society—civil authority and spiritual voice—had turned from truth, ensuring sweeping judgment. The verse underscores that true honor rests on faithfulness to God’s word, leadership bears heightened accountability, and false teaching devastates a people. Remaining under God’s blessing requires leaders and followers alike to prize truth and reject deception.
(15)
The ancient and honourable . . .--Comp.
Isaiah 3:2-3, for the meaning of the words. These, the prophet seems to say, were the true leaders of the people. The ideal work of the prophet was, indeed, that of a teacher who was to lead even them, but
corruptio optimi pessima;and to Isaiah, as to Jeremiah, there was no class so contemptible and base as that of spiritual guides whose policy was that of a time-serving selfishness. The verse is rejected by some critics as a marginal note that has found its way into the text; but the prophet may well have given his own interpretation of this formula. (Comp.
Isaiah 28:7;
Isaiah 29:10;
Jeremiah 14:14;
Jeremiah 23:9-40.)
Verse 15. - Some suppose this verse to be a gloss, or marginal note, which has crept into the text; but it is too pointed and sarcastic for a mere gloss. There is no reason to doubt its being Isaiah's. Having spoken of "the tail," he takes the opportunity of lashing the false prophet, who claimed to be among the "honorable," but was really the lowest of the low, worse than his dupes, the true "tail" (comp.
Isaiah 28:7;
Isaiah 29:10;
Isaiah 30:10).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The headהָרֹ֑אשׁ(hā·rōš)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7218:The headis the elderזָקֵ֥ן(zā·qên)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2205:Oldand the honorableוּנְשׂוּא־(ū·nə·śū-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takemanה֣וּא(hū)Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, areand the tailהַזָּנָֽב׃(haz·zā·nāḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2180:Tail, end, stumpis the prophetוְנָבִ֥יא(wə·nā·ḇî)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030:A spokesman, speaker, prophetwho teachesמֽוֹרֶה־(mō·w·reh-)Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3384:To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teachlies.שֶּׁ֖קֶר(še·qer)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267:Deception, disappointment, falsehood
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 9:15 The elder and the honorable man (Isa Isi Is) 
