Isaiah 20:3-5

3 And the LORD said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a 1sign and token against Egypt and 2Cush,
4 so the 3king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, 4young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
5 "Then they will be 5dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and Egypt their 6boast.

Isaiah 20:3-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 20

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the Egyptians and Ethiopians by the Assyrians, which had been prophesied of separately in the two preceding chapters Isa 18:1-19:25, and now conjunctly in this: the time of it is given, Isa 20:1 the sign of it, the prophet's walking naked, and barefoot, Isa 20:2 the explanation and accommodation of the sign to the captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia, Isa 20:3,4 the use of this to the Jews, and the effect it had upon them; shame for their trust and dependence on the above nations, and despair of deliverance from the Assyrians by their means, Isa 20:5,6.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Isaiah 8:18
  • 2. Isaiah 37:9; Isaiah 43:3
  • 3. Isaiah 19:4
  • 4. Isaiah 47:2, 3
  • 5. 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 30:3-5; Isaiah 31:1; Ezekiel 29:6, 7
  • 6. Jeremiah 9:23, 24; Jeremiah 17:5; 1 Corinthians 3:21

Footnotes 3

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