Isaiah 19:11

“Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, &c.] Zoan was a very ancient city of Egypt, it was built within seven years of Hebron in the land of Judah, (<041322>Numbers 13:22) here it was that the Lord did those miracles, by the hands of Moses and Aaron, before Pharaoh and his people, in order to oblige him to let Israel go, (<197812>Psalm 78:12,43) by which it appears that it was then the royal city, as it seems to have been now; since mention is made of the princes of it, who usually have their residence where the court is. The Targum, Septuagint, and Vulgate Latin versions, call it Tanis, which was the metropolis of one of the nomes or provinces of Egypt, called from it the Tanitic nomef382;…”

“Zoan--The Greeks called it Tanis, a city of Lower Egypt, east of the Tanitic arms of the Nile, now San; it was one the Egyptian towns nearest to Palestine (Num 13:22), the scene of Moses' miracles (Psa 78:12, Psa 78:43). It, or else Memphis, was the capital under Sethos. I am . . . son of the wise . . . kings--Ye have no advice to suggest to Pharaoh in the crisis, notwithstanding that ye boast of descent from wise and royal ancestors. The priests were the usual "counsellors" of the Egyptian king. He was generally chosen from the priestly caste, or, if from the warrior caste, he was admitted into the sacred order, and was called a priest. The priests are, therefore, meant by the expression,…”

“Surely the princes - The following verses, to Isaiah 19:16, are designed to describe further the calamities that were coming upon Egypt by a want of wisdom in their rulers. They would be unable to devise means to meet the impending calamities, and would actually increase the national misery by their unwise counsels. The word ‘princes’ here is taken evidently for the rulers or counselors of state. Of Zoan - The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Chaldee, render this ‘Tanis.’ Zoan was doubtless the Tans of the Greeks (Herod. ii. 166), and was a city of Lower Egypt, built, according to Moses Numbers 13:22, seven years after Hebron. It is mentioned in Psalms 78:12; Isaiah 19:11, Isaiah 19:13; Isaiah 30:4;…”

“Zoan - The chief city, in which the king and court frequently resided. How - Why do you put such foolish words into Pharaoh's mouth? I am the son - Wisdom is heredity and natural to me. Isaiah 19:13”

“19:11-15 The prophet taunted the leaders and wise men of Egypt, who were helpless to avert tragedy. 19:11 Zoan was the capital of Egypt, located in the Nile delta (see Num 13:22). • officials . . . best counsel: The king depended on the strategies and counsel of wise men (Isa 19:12; see Gen 41:39-40). • The officials of Zoan were known for all their wise ancestors, and Egypt liked to brag about them.”

“the princes: Isa 19:3, Isa 19:13, Isa 29:14, Isa 44:25; Job 5:12, Job 5:13, Job 12:17; Psa 33:10; Jer 49:7; Eze 7:26; Co1 1:19, Co1 1:20 Zoan: Isa 30:4; Num 13:22; Psa 78:12, Psa 78:43; Eze 30:14 brutish: Psa 73:22, Psa 92:6; Pro 30:2; Jer 10:14, Jer 10:21 I am: Gen 41:38, Gen 41:39; Kg1 4:30; Act 7:22 Isaiah 19:12”

“The prophet now dwells upon the punishment which falls upon the pillars of the land, and describes it in Isa 19:11-13 : "The princes of Zoan become mere fools, the wise counsellors of Pharaoh; readiness in counsel is stupefied. How can ye say to Pharaoh, I am a son of wise men, a son of kings of the olden time? Where are they then, thy wise men? Let them announce to thee, and know what Jehovah of hosts hath determined concerning Egypt. The princes of Zoan have become fools, the princes of Memphis are deceived; and they have led Egypt astray who are the corner-stone of its castes." The two constructives יעצי חכמי do not stand in a subordinate relation, but in a co-ordinate one (see at Psa…”