Keraia
Isaiah 20

Isaiah 20:4

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

Translations

Modern
…so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.
Traditional
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
Literal
…so the king of Assyria will lead away the captive of Egypt and the exile of Cush—young and old—naked and barefoot, and their buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt.
Latin
…sic minabit rex Assyriorum captivitatem Ægypti, et transmigrationem Æthiopiæ, juvenum et senum, nudam et discalceatam, discoopertis natibus, ad ignominiam Ægypti.

Original

Hebrew
English
…so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

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

Places

Assyria: A powerful ancient empire, often in conflict with Israel 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 Hezekiah Isaiah (Person) Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Captive: Other Indignities To Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Captivity of Its People Egypt: The Country of: Prophecies Against Ethiopia: Desolation of Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Symbols and Similitudes: Nakedness