Keraia
Isaiah 20

Isaiah 20:3

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

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush,
Traditional
And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
Literal
And YHWH said, “As My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years as a sign and a wonder against Egypt and against Cush,
Latin
Et dixit Dominus: Sicut ambulavit servus meus Isaias nudus et discalceatus, trium annorum signum et portentum erit super Ægyptum et super Æthiopiam;

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush,

Notes

Isaiah 20:3–4

This symbolic event happened about three years before Ashdod fell (see Isaiah 20:2). Through this event, Isaiah served as an example for the people (see Isaiah 8:18).

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

Isaiah: Prophet during reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah

Places

Cush: Ancient region in Africa; associated with Egypt and Babylon Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

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

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 Pantomime by Isaiah Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Shoes: The Jews: Never Wore, in Mourning Symbols and Similitudes: Nakedness