Keraia
Isaiah 20

Isaiah 20:2

A Sign against Egypt and Cush · Isaiah 20:1–6
Read Isaiah 20

Translations

Modern
…the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot.
Traditional
At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
Literal
At the time that YHWH spoke by the hand of Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go and remove the sackcloth from your body, and draw off your sandals from your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
Latin
…in tempore illo locutus est Dominus in manu Isaiæ, filii Amos, dicens: Vade, et solve saccum de lumbis tuis, et calceamenta tua tolle de pedibus tuis. Et fecit sic, vadens nudus et discalceatus.

Original

Hebrew
English
…the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot.

Notes

Isaiah 20:2

  • Prophets often wore sackcloth or other rough clothing to show mourning for the people's sins (see 2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6).

  • naked: This means exposed in some way, possibly even completely nude.

Isaiah 20:1–5

Ashdod’s reliance on Egypt and Ethiopia was useless. As a complement to his words, Isaiah walked about exposed and barefoot, a symbolic action for what God would do.

Isaiah 17:1–20:6

This section includes predictions of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene shifts from the crisis in 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel; see study note on Isaiah 7:1–25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37).

Events

People

Amoz: Father of the prophet Isaiah Isaiah: Prophet during reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah

Glossary

Ashdod, Ashdodite, Ashdothite Book of Jeremiah Hezekiah Isaiah (Person) Isaiah, Book of Sackcloth

Topics

Christian Minister: Trials and Persecutions of Egypt: The Country of: Prophecies Against Ethiopia: Desolation of Instruction by Object Lessons: Symbolically Wearing Sackcloth and Going Barefoot Isaiah: Symbolically Wears Sackcloth, and Walks Barefoot As a Sign to Israel Mourning: Walking Barefoot Nudity Pantomime by Isaiah Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Sackcloth was Worn by God's Prophets Shoes: The Jews: Never Wore, in Mourning Symbols and Similitudes: Nakedness