Isaiah 20:4

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.

So shall the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} lead away {H5090} the Egyptians {H4714} prisoners {H7628}, and the Ethiopians {H3568} captives {H1546}, young {H5288} and old {H2205}, naked {H6174} and barefoot {H3182}, even with their buttocks {H8357} uncovered {H2834}, to the shame {H6172} of Egypt {H4714}.

so will the king of Ashur lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, unclothed and barefoot, with their buttocks exposed, to the shame of Egypt.

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.

so shall the king of Assyria lead away the captives of Egypt, and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Context of Isaiah 20:4

Isaiah 20:4 concludes a dramatic prophetic sign given by the prophet Isaiah. The preceding verses (Isaiah 20:2-3) describe Isaiah walking "naked and barefoot" for three years. This unusual and humiliating act was a symbolic portrayal of the future fate of Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush), nations in which Judah was tempted to place its trust for protection against the rising power of Assyria. Historically, this prophecy likely refers to the campaign of Sargon II of Assyria against Ashdod (mentioned in Isaiah 20:1) and his subsequent subjugation of surrounding regions, including eventual control over Egypt and Cush.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: The verse graphically depicts the utter degradation and shame that would befall Egypt and Ethiopia. Being led away "naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered" was a common, yet profoundly humiliating, practice for captives in the ancient Near East, designed to strip them of dignity and power. This serves as a stark warning of God's judgment against nations.
  • Futility of Earthly Alliances: A central message is the danger and futility of relying on human strength or political alliances (in this case, with Egypt and Ethiopia) instead of trusting in the Lord. Judah was repeatedly warned against such alliances (see Isaiah 31:1-3). When these powerful nations themselves fall into such utter disgrace, their ability to protect others is clearly nonexistent.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: Isaiah's three-year symbolic act was not merely a performance but a tangible prediction of future events. The vivid description in this verse confirms the accuracy and certainty of God's prophetic word, even when it foretold harsh realities.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "naked and barefoot" (Hebrew: עָרוֹם וְיָחֵף - 'arom v'yakhef) emphasizes the complete destitution, vulnerability, and public shame of the captives. The additional detail, "even with [their] buttocks uncovered," further intensifies the imagery of extreme dishonor and indignity. This was not just about being unclothed, but about being publicly exposed and ridiculed, signifying the utter loss of power, status, and self-respect for these once-proud nations.

Practical Application

Isaiah 20:4 serves as a timeless reminder of where true security and strength lie. For believers today, it underscores the importance of placing our ultimate trust in God, rather than in worldly powers, human institutions, or even our own abilities. Just as Egypt and Ethiopia's strength proved useless against Assyria, so too can our misplaced reliance on temporary or earthly solutions lead to disappointment and spiritual nakedness. The verse encourages a deep reliance on divine providence and a recognition of God's sovereignty over all nations and events (see Psalm 20:7). It also highlights the seriousness of God's judgment and the consequences of rebellion or misplaced faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 19:4

    And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 13:22

    ¶ And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, [and] thy heels made bare.

  • Jeremiah 13:26

    Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.

  • Isaiah 3:17

    Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

  • Isaiah 47:3

    Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet [thee as] a man.

  • Micah 1:11

    Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.

  • Revelation 3:18

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

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