Isaiah 20:3

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, Like as my servant {H5650} Isaiah {H3470} hath walked {H1980} naked {H6174} and barefoot {H3182} three {H7969} years {H8141} for a sign {H226} and wonder {H4159} upon Egypt {H4714} and upon Ethiopia {H3568};

Complete Jewish Bible

In time, ADONAI said, "Just as my servant Yesha'yahu has gone about unclothed and barefoot for three years as a sign and portent against Egypt and Ethiopia,

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 20:3 unveils the divine interpretation of the prophet Isaiah's extraordinary and prolonged public act: walking "naked and barefoot" for three years. This verse clarifies that Isaiah's humiliating appearance was a direct command from the LORD, intended as a powerful visual "sign and wonder" to warn the nations of Egypt and Ethiopia, and by extension, the kingdom of Judah, about the impending humiliation and captivity they would suffer at the hands of the Assyrian Empire. It underscored the futility of trusting in human alliances over divine faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 20 is a short, self-contained oracle, yet it is deeply embedded within a larger section of Isaiah's prophecies concerning foreign nations (chapters 13-23). Specifically, it follows oracles against Egypt (chapter 19) and Ethiopia (chapter 18), directly addressing the geopolitical temptations facing Judah. The preceding verse, [Isaiah 20:2](/isaiah/20-2 "Isaiah 20:2 - God's Command to Isaiah"), details the LORD's explicit command to Isaiah to shed his sackcloth and shoes, setting the stage for the interpretation provided in verse 3. This prophetic act serves as a dramatic culmination of the warnings against relying on these powerful but ultimately vulnerable nations. The entire book of Isaiah consistently calls Judah to trust solely in the LORD amidst international turmoil, a theme powerfully illustrated by this chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 20 is the late 8th century BCE, a period dominated by the relentless expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. King Sargon II of Assyria (mentioned in [Isaiah 20:1](/isaiah/20-1 "Isaiah 20:1 - The Assyrian Siege of Ashdod")) was a formidable conqueror. Smaller nations, including Judah, were caught between the overwhelming might of Assyria and the fading power of Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush), which were often seen as potential allies against the northern aggressor. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, captives were frequently stripped of their clothing and shoes as a deliberate act of humiliation and dehumanization, a public display of their utter defeat and vulnerability. Thus, Isaiah's appearance would have immediately conveyed the image of a prisoner of war, a stark and universally understood symbol of disgrace and impending doom for those he represented.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah's prophecy. Firstly, it exemplifies **Prophetic Symbolism**, where the prophet's very life and body become a living parable, a common method God used to communicate profound truths, much like [Jeremiah's wearing of a yoke](/jeremiah/27-2 "Jeremiah 27:2 - The Yoke of Submission") or [Ezekiel's symbolic siege of Jerusalem](/ezekiel/4-4 "Ezekiel 4:4 - Ezekiel's Symbolic Siege"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Humiliation**, portraying the inevitable fate of nations that defy God's sovereign plan or trust in their own strength. The "naked and barefoot" state vividly symbolizes the shame and destitution awaiting Egypt and Ethiopia. Thirdly, the act serves as a **Warning Against Misplaced Trust** for Judah, urging them not to place their hope in human alliances. If powerful nations like Egypt and Ethiopia would suffer such ignominy, how could Judah possibly rely on them for deliverance? The core message for Judah was clear: true security and deliverance lay only in [trusting in the LORD](/isaiah/30-15 "Isaiah 30:15 - Trust in Quietness and Confidence") and not in political maneuvering. Finally, the passage underscores the **Obedience of the Prophet**, as Isaiah's willingness to endure three years of public humiliation demonstrates his profound and costly submission to God's difficult and counter-cultural commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **naked (Hebrew, _ʻârôwm'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to be bare," describes a state of being unclothed, either partially or totally. In the context of Isaiah 20:3, it likely refers to being stripped of outer garments, leaving only an undergarment or nothing at all. This condition was universally understood in the ancient world as a sign of extreme poverty, vulnerability, and utter humiliation, particularly for captives of war who were often paraded in this state. It signifies a complete loss of dignity and protection.
* **barefoot (Hebrew, _yâchêph'_):** This word directly means "unsandalled" or "being unshod." To walk barefoot in ancient times, especially over long distances or rough terrain, was another clear indicator of destitution, servitude, or captivity. Shoes were a basic necessity for protection and status; their absence underscored a person's complete subjugation and lack of freedom. Together with "naked," it paints a picture of abject misery and defenselessness.
* **sign (Hebrew, _ʼôwth'_):** This term denotes a signal, mark, token, or omen. It refers to something that points beyond itself, conveying a deeper meaning or foreshadowing a future event. In this verse, Isaiah's physical state was not merely an eccentric act but a divinely ordained, visible object lesson. It was a tangible, undeniable prophetic message, designed to capture attention and communicate God's specific judgment and warning in a way that words alone might not achieve.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and authority behind Isaiah's extraordinary act. It emphasizes that Isaiah's behavior was not a personal eccentricity but a direct, intentional command from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This divine initiative underscores the seriousness and certainty of the message being conveyed.
* **"Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years":** This clause describes the specific, sustained, and deeply humiliating prophetic performance. Isaiah's public display of vulnerability and destitution, maintained for a significant period of three years, was a powerful visual sermon. The duration emphasizes the certainty and protracted nature of the impending judgment. The phrase "my servant Isaiah" highlights the prophet's unique role as God's obedient instrument, even in the face of personal discomfort and public ridicule.
* **"[for] a sign and wonder":** This phrase reveals the purpose and impact of Isaiah's act. It was not merely symbolic but a prophetic **sign** (a concrete representation of a future reality) and a **wonder** (something astonishing and awe-inspiring, designed to provoke thought and attention). This dual description emphasizes that the act was both a clear communication of God's will and a striking event intended to capture the attention of all who witnessed or heard of it, compelling them to consider its meaning.
* **"upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;":** This final part of the verse explicitly identifies the primary targets of the prophetic message. The humiliation and captivity symbolized by Isaiah's state were specifically directed at these two powerful nations, which Judah was tempted to rely upon for protection against Assyria. The message was a stark warning that these supposed saviors would themselves become victims, led away in the very state Isaiah embodied.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 20:3 is rich in **Symbolism** and functions as a **Prophetic Act** or **Performance Prophecy**. Isaiah's physical state of being "naked and barefoot" is not merely descriptive but profoundly symbolic, representing the future humiliation, destitution, and captivity that would befall Egypt and Ethiopia at the hands of the Assyrians. His body becomes a living, breathing metaphor for the fate of these nations. The entire event is a **Performance Prophecy**, where the prophet's actions, rather than just his words, convey God's message. This dramatic, sustained public display was designed to be unforgettable and impactful, serving as a vivid **Foreshadowing** of the disgrace and defeat awaiting those who trusted in human strength rather than divine power. The three-year duration adds to the dramatic effect, emphasizing the certainty and prolonged nature of the impending judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah's obedience to God's command to walk "naked and barefoot" for three years powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over nations and His unique methods of communicating His will. This act serves as a profound theological statement that all human power, no matter how formidable, is ultimately subject to divine judgment. It underscores the folly of misplaced trust, particularly in worldly alliances or military might, when the ultimate source of security and deliverance is God alone. The humiliation depicted for Egypt and Ethiopia is a stark reminder that pride precedes a fall, and reliance on anything other than the Creator leads to inevitable disappointment and disgrace. For God's people, the message is a timeless call to radical faith and dependence on the LORD, even when His commands seem strange or demand personal sacrifice.

* [Jeremiah 27:2](/jeremiah/27-2 "Jeremiah 27:2 - Jeremiah's Symbolic Yoke")
* [Ezekiel 4:4](/ezekiel/4-4 "Ezekiel 4:4 - Ezekiel's Symbolic Siege")
* [Isaiah 30:15](/isaiah/30-15 "Isaiah 30:15 - Trust in Quietness and Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah's willingness to embody such a humiliating message for three years challenges us to consider the depth of our own obedience and trust in God. In a world that constantly tempts us to place our security in financial stability, political systems, or personal achievements, this passage serves as a powerful corrective. It calls us to discern where our ultimate trust truly lies. Are we willing to embrace God's sometimes unconventional methods of communication? Are we prepared to obey Him even when His commands seem illogical, uncomfortable, or demand personal sacrifice and public vulnerability? The consequences faced by Egypt and Ethiopia for their pride and misplaced confidence serve as a timeless warning: true security is found only in humble reliance on the Almighty God, not in the fleeting strength of human institutions or alliances. This passage invites us to re-evaluate our dependencies and align our lives with God's unchanging truth, remembering that His ways, though sometimes mysterious, are always perfect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "Egypts and Ethiopias" in my life or society where I am tempted to place my ultimate trust instead of in God?**
* **How does Isaiah's radical obedience challenge my own willingness to follow God's commands, especially when they are difficult or counter-cultural?**
* **In what ways might God be communicating a "sign and wonder" to me today, perhaps through circumstances or the lives of others, that I need to pay closer attention to?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent trust in the LORD alone, rather than in worldly systems or personal strength?**

### FAQ
**Did Isaiah literally walk around completely naked for three years?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word for "naked" (`ʻârôwm`) can mean completely unclothed, in this context, it is generally understood to mean stripped of one's outer garments, perhaps wearing only an undergarment or loincloth. This was a common depiction of captives in ancient Near Eastern art and literature, signifying extreme humiliation, destitution, and vulnerability. The point was not necessarily full nudity, but the public display of shame and powerlessness, making Isaiah a living, visible prophecy of what would befall Egypt and Ethiopia. This interpretation aligns with the cultural understanding of "nakedness" in the Bible, which often refers to a state of being uncovered or exposed, rather than absolute nudity (e.g., [Genesis 3:7](/genesis/3-7 "Genesis 3:7 - Adam and Eve's Nakedness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah's prophetic act, a "sign and wonder" of impending judgment and humiliation for nations trusting in their own strength, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reversal in Jesus Christ. While Isaiah's "nakedness" symbolized the shame of captivity, Christ's stripping and "nakedness" on the cross (as described in [Matthew 27:28](/matthew/27-28 "Matthew 27:28 - Jesus Stripped") and [John 19:23-24](/john/19-23 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments")) was the ultimate act of identification with humanity's sin and shame, not as a victim of earthly empires, but as the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world. He voluntarily embraced the utter humiliation and vulnerability symbolized by Isaiah's walk, not to warn of impending defeat for others, but to secure eternal victory for all who trust in Him. Where human alliances failed and led to captivity, Christ's perfect obedience, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")), provides the only true and lasting liberation from the bondage of sin and death. He is the ultimate "sign" of God's love and salvation, turning the symbol of judgment into the means of redemption, offering true freedom where all earthly powers ultimately fail.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Numbers 14:34

After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, [even] forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

Revelation 11:3

¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Isaiah 37:9

And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard [it], he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

Ezekiel 4:5

For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 4:6

And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.