Isaiah 20:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Complete Jewish Bible:

They will be dismayed and ashamed because of Ethiopia their hope and Egypt their pride.

Berean Standard Bible:

Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.

American Standard Version:

And they shall be dismayed and confounded, because of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they shall be afraid^{H2865} and ashamed^{H954} of Ethiopia^{H3568} their expectation^{H4007}, and of Egypt^{H4714} their glory^{H8597}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Isaiah 30:5

They were all ashamed of a people [that] could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

Isaiah 30:3

Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt [your] confusion.

Ezekiel 29:6

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I [am] the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 29:7

When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.

1 Corinthians 3:21

¶ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

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Commentary for Isaiah 20:5

Isaiah 20:5 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, which is a collection of prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah. The verse is part of a larger oracle against Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush), delivered by Isaiah as a sign-act in which he walked around naked and barefoot for three years to symbolize the future captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia by the Assyrians.

In the historical context, during the time of Isaiah, both Egypt and Ethiopia were significant political and military powers. Ethiopia, referred to as Cush in the Bible, had a powerful empire that extended into the Middle East, while Egypt was a long-standing regional power with which Judah had a complex relationship, sometimes seeking alliances for protection against stronger nations like Assyria.

The theme of Isaiah 20:5 revolves around the judgment of nations and the folly of misplaced trust. The people of Judah had put their hope and pride in alliances with these powerful nations, particularly Egypt, which was seen as a source of strength and security. However, Isaiah prophesies that those who trusted in Egypt and Ethiopia would be disappointed and ashamed because these nations would be unable to protect them from the Assyrian threat. The verse serves as a warning that human alliances and military might are not the ultimate source of security; instead, the people should trust in God alone.

The verse speaks to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and the temporary nature of worldly power. It emphasizes that reliance on foreign alliances rather than on God would lead to disillusionment. This message was particularly relevant to the people of Judah as they faced the looming threat of Assyrian conquest, and it continues to resonate as a reminder of the ultimate futility of placing trust in human power rather than in divine providence.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: H2865
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָתַת
Transliteration: châthath
Pronunciation: khaw-thath'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear; abolish, affright, be (make) afraid, amaze, beat down, discourage, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify.
Strong's Number: H954
There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוּשׁ
Transliteration: bûwsh
Pronunciation: boosh
Description: a primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed; (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long.
Strong's Number: H3568
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כּוּשׁ
Transliteration: Kûwsh
Pronunciation: koosh
Description: probably of foreign origin; Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite; Chush, Cush, Ethiopia.
Strong's Number: H4007
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַבָּט
Transliteration: mabbâṭ
Pronunciation: mab-bawt'
Description: or מֶבָּט; from נָבַט; something expected, i.e. (abstractly) expectation; expectation.
Strong's Number: H4714
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
Transliteration: Mitsrayim
Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
Strong's Number: H8597
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תִּפְאָרָה
Transliteration: tiphʼârâh
Pronunciation: tif-aw-raw'
Description: or תִּפְאֶרֶת; from פָּאַר; ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively); beauty(-iful), bravery, comely, fair, glory(-ious), honour, majesty.

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