Isaiah 19:12

“Where [are] they? where [are] thy wise [men]? &c.] The magicians and soothsayers, the diviners and astrologers, who pretended, by their magic art and skill in judicial astrology, to foretell things to come: this is an address to the king of Egypt, who had such persons about him, and encouraged them, by consulting them on occasion, and rewarding them: and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt; or, “against it”; let them tell, if they can, and make known unto thee the purposes of God’s heart, the things he has resolved upon, even the calamities and punishments he will shortly inflict upon the Egyptians, of which he has given notice by his…”

“let them know--that is, How is it that, with all their boast of knowing the future [DIODORUS, 1.81], they do not know what Jehovah of hosts . . .”

“Where are they? - This whole verse is an appeal by the prophet to the king of Egypt respecting the counselors and soothsayers of his kingdom. The sense is, ‘a time of distress and danger is evidently coming upon Egypt. They pretend to be wise; and there is now occasion for all their wisdom, and opportunity to evince it. Let them show it. Let them declare what is coming upon the nation, and take proper measures to meet and remove it; and they will then demonstrate that it would be proper for Pharaoh to repose confidence in them.’ But if they could not do this, then he should not suffer himself to be deluded, and his kingdom ruined, by their counsels. return to 'Top of Page'”

“19:12 Where are your wise counselors: Cp. 1 Cor 1:20.”

“where are thy: Isa 5:21, Isa 47:10-13; Jdg 9:38; Jer 2:28; Co1 1:20 let them: Isa 40:13, Isa 40:14, Isa 41:22, Isa 41:23, Isa 44:7; Job 11:6, Job 11:7; Rom 11:33, Rom 11:34 Isaiah 19:13”