the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights the complete inversion of God's intended order: the wise and honored are relegated to the lowest position ("tail"), while those who spread deceit ("prophet who teaches lies") are elevated to the highest authority ("head"). This isn't just about political or religious corruption; it's a spiritual disaster where the foundational principles of truth and wisdom are completely flipped.
the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears within a larger section (Isaiah 9:8-21) lamenting Israel's stubborn rebellion against God, which has led to impending judgment through civil war and foreign invasion. Isaiah contrasts the nation's proud defiance and refusal to repent with the severe consequences that will follow, highlighting the hypocrisy and corruption of both its leaders and its false prophets who offer deceptive assurances of peace. The passage ultimately emphasizes that God's judgment is inevitable because of their persistent sinfulness.
In a time of crisis, who's really in charge? Sometimes the most visible leaders aren't the ones God esteems.
Isaiah uses stark imagery to contrast genuine leadership with destructive deception.
What's the lowest of the low in God's eyes? It's not just being wrong, but actively deceiving people with spiritual lies.
The imagery of the 'tail' is deeply insulting, signifying the lowest, most despised, and least valuable part of a creature. For Isaiah, this is the ultimate fate and description of those who claim to speak for God but teach deceit.
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Understand the original words
nabi' · Hebrew Noun
A person claiming divine inspiration or authority to speak on behalf of God. In the Bible, a 'false prophet' is one who speaks messages not given by God, often to deceive or lead people away from truth.
This verse directly addresses the spiritual and political corruption within the Northern Kingdom of Israel during its final decline, particularly in the period leading up to and including the fall of Samaria to Assyria. The 'ancient and honorable' leaders and the 'prophets who teach lies' represent the broken societal structure and deceptive spiritual guidance that characterized Israel's final days.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian military campaigns
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V, conducted military campaigns in the region, exerting pressure and demanding tribute from the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 732 BC
Fall of Damascus
The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III conquers Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria), a significant regional power and ally of Israel. This event destabilizes the political landscape for both Israel and Judah.
c. 734-722 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel attempt to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian coalition. Judah, under King Ahaz, appeals to Assyria for help, leading to further Assyrian involvement in the region.
c. 722 BC— this verse
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian army, under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II, captures the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria, after a lengthy siege. This marks the end of the independent Kingdom of Israel and leads to the deportation of many of its inhabitants.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, capturing many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. The Southern Kingdom of Judah survives this invasion, but is severely weakened.
This passage describes God giving a spirit of deep sleep to Israel's leaders and covering their eyes, directly paralleling the blindness and deception of leaders and false prophets mentioned in Isaiah 9:15.
Jeremiah 14:14This verse condemns prophets who prophesy lies in God's name, stating that deception and false prophecy will be the 'tail' they receive, echoing the imagery of Isaiah 9:15 where false prophets are the tail.
Micah 3:5This passage criticizes prophets who lead God's people astray by promising peace when they should warn of judgment, aligning with Isaiah 9:15's condemnation of prophets who teach lies.
1 Kings 22:22This narrative shows a lying spirit being sent by the Lord to deceive King Ahab through his prophets, illustrating the concept of false prophets (the 'tail') leading the 'head' (the king) to ruin, as depicted in Isaiah 9:15.
Romans 11:8This New Testament passage directly quotes Isaiah's prophecy about God giving people a spirit of 'slumber, eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear,' showing the continuity of judgment upon resistant leaders and people.
pulpitIsaiah 9:15: "The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail."
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, t…
barnesIsaiah 9:15: "The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail."
The ancient - The elder; the old man. And honorable - Hebrew, 'The man of elevated countenance.' The man of rank and office. The prophet that teacheth lies - The false prophet. Of those there were many; and probably at this time many in Samaria.
The verse highlights the complete inversion of God's intended order: the wise and honored are relegated to the lowest position ("tail"), while those who spread deceit ("prophet who teaches lies") are elevated to the highest authority ("head"). This isn't just about political or religious corruption; it's a spiritual disaster where the foundational principles of truth and wisdom are completely flipped.
This verse appears within a larger section (Isaiah 9:8-21) lamenting Israel's stubborn rebellion against God, which has led to impending judgment through civil war and foreign invasion. Isaiah contrasts the nation's proud defiance and refusal to repent with the severe consequences that will follow, highlighting the hypocrisy and corruption of both its leaders and its false prophets who offer deceptive assurances of peace. The passage ultimately emphasizes that God's judgment is inevitable because of their persistent sinfulness.
This verse appears within a larger section (Isaiah 9:8-21) lamenting Israel's stubborn rebellion against God, which has led to impending judgment through civil war and foreign invasion. Isaiah contrasts the nation's proud defiance and refusal to repent with the severe consequences that will follow, highlighting the hypocrisy and corruption of both its leaders and its false prophets who offer deceptive assurances of peace. The passage ultimately emphasizes that God's judgment is inevitable because of their persistent sinfulness.
"the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;" — The verse highlights the complete inversion of God's intended order: the wise and honored are relegated to the lowest position ("tail"), while those who spread deceit ("prophet who teaches lies") are…
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Last reviewed October 2026