Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt’s shame. New Living Translation For the king of Assyria will take away the Egyptians and Ethiopians as prisoners. He will make them walk naked and barefoot, both young and old, their buttocks bared, to the shame of Egypt. English Standard Version so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. New American Standard Bible so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. NASB 1995 so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. NASB 1977 so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. Amplified Bible in the same way the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, young and old, stripped and barefoot, even with buttocks uncovered—to the shame of Egypt. Berean Annotated Bible so the king of Assyria (a step) will lead away the captives of Egypt (land of bondage) and the exiles of Cush (Ethiopia), young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. Christian Standard Bible so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, stripped and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. Holman Christian Standard Bible so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version Everyone in these two countries will be led away naked and barefoot by the king of Assyria. Young or old, they will be taken prisoner, and Egypt will be disgraced. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation The king of Assyria will lead away both the young and the old-captives from Egypt and exiles from Sudan. They will be barefoot and naked. Their buttocks will be exposed in order to disgrace Egypt. Good News Translation The emperor of Assyria will lead away naked the prisoners he captures from those two countries. Young and old, they will walk barefoot and naked, with their buttocks exposed, bringing shame on Egypt. International Standard Version so the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptian captives and exiles from Cush, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot—with even their buttocks uncovered—to the shame of Egypt. NET Bible so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, both young and old. They will be in undergarments and barefoot, with the buttocks exposed; the Egyptians will be publicly humiliated. New Heart English Bible so the king of Assyria will 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. Webster's Bible Translation So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Cushites captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their hind-parts uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleso 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. World English Bible so the king of Assyria will 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionso the king of Asshur leads the captivity of Egypt, and the expulsion of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot, with seat uncovered—the nakedness of Egypt; Berean Literal Bible 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. Young's Literal Translation so doth the king of Asshur lead the captivity of Egypt, and the removal of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot, with seat uncovered -- the nakedness of Egypt; Smith's Literal Translation Thus shall the king of Assur lead the captivity of Egypt, and the exile of Cush, boys and old men naked and barefoot, and buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo shall the king of the Assyrians lead away the prisoners of Egypt, and the captivity of Ethiopia, young and old. naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered to the shame of Egypt. Catholic Public Domain Version so also will the king of the Assyrians force the captivity of Egypt, and the transmigration of Ethiopia: young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. New American Bible so shall the king of Assyria lead away captives from Egypt, and exiles from Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the shame of Egypt. New Revised Standard Version so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as captives and the Ethiopians as exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In this way the King of Assyria will lead the captivity of Egypt and the captives of Kush, the young men and the old men, naked and barefoot, and the nakedness of Egypt shall be revealed OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917so 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation for thus shall the king of the Assyrians lead the captivity of Egypt and the Ethiopians, young men and old, naked and barefoot, having the shame of Egypt exposed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Sign Against Egypt and Cush…3Then 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, 4so 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. 5Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.… Cross References so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt Nahum 3:8-10 Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water? / Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. / Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her dignitaries, and all her nobles were bound in chains. Isaiah 19:4 I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of a harsh master, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. Ezekiel 30:4-5 A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down. / Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword. and the exiles of Cush, Isaiah 11:11 On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. Zephaniah 2:12 “You too, O Cushites, will be slain by My sword.” Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil. young and old alike, 2 Chronicles 36:17 So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, Ezekiel 9:6 Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. Lamentations 2:21 Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion. naked and barefoot, Micah 1:8 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich. 2 Samuel 15:30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went. Isaiah 47:2-3 Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” with bared buttocks— 2 Samuel 10:4 So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away. Jeremiah 13:26 So I will pull your skirts up over your face, that your shame may be seen. Nahum 3:5 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show your nakedness to the nations and your shame to the kingdoms. to Egypt’s shame. Jeremiah 46:24 The Daughter of Egypt will be put to shame; she will be delivered into the hands of the people of the north.” Treasury of Scripture 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. shall 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 46:26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD. Ezekiel 30:18 At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. Egyptians. 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. 2 Samuel 10:4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. Jeremiah 13:22,26 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… shame. 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. Jump to Previous Asshur Assyria Backs Bared Barefoot Buttocks Captives Captivity Cush Cushite Cushites Egypt Egyptian Egyptians Ethiopia Ethiopians Exiles Forced Lead Naked Nakedness Prisoners Removal Seat Shame Shoes Stripped Unclothed Uncovered YoungJump to Next Asshur Assyria Backs Bared Barefoot Buttocks Captives Captivity Cush Cushite Cushites Egypt Egyptian Egyptians Ethiopia Ethiopians Exiles Forced Lead Naked Nakedness Prisoners Removal Seat Shame Shoes Stripped Unclothed Uncovered YoungIsaiah 20 1. A type prefiguring the shameful captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia.so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt This phrase refers to the Assyrian king's conquest and subjugation of Egypt. Historically, Assyria was a dominant power in the ancient Near East, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. The prophecy highlights the futility of relying on Egypt for protection, as Judah was tempted to do. This event is a fulfillment of God's warning against alliances with foreign nations instead of trusting in Him (Isaiah 30:1-3). and the exiles of Cush young and old alike naked and barefoot with bared buttocks to Egypt’s shame Persons / Places / Events 1. King of AssyriaThe ruler of the Assyrian Empire, known for its military might and expansionist policies during the 8th century BC. Assyria was a dominant power in the ancient Near East. 2. Egypt A powerful and influential nation in the ancient world, often seen as a rival to Assyria. Egypt was known for its rich culture and history. 3. Cush A region located south of Egypt, often associated with modern-day Sudan. Cush was known for its warriors and was sometimes allied with Egypt. 4. Captives and Exiles The people of Egypt and Cush who were taken away by the Assyrians. This event symbolizes humiliation and defeat. 5. Isaiah A major prophet in the Old Testament, who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah and surrounding nations. His prophecies often included warnings and calls for repentance. Teaching Points The Futility of Human AlliancesTrusting in human alliances, like Judah's reliance on Egypt, can lead to shame and defeat. True security is found in God alone. God's Sovereignty Over Nations God is in control of all nations and their destinies. He can use even powerful empires like Assyria to accomplish His purposes. The Consequences of Pride Nations and individuals who exalt themselves against God will face humiliation. Humility and reliance on God are essential. The Reality of Judgment God's warnings through prophets like Isaiah are real and should be heeded. Ignoring them can lead to severe consequences. The Call to Repentance Prophecies of judgment are also calls to repentance. Turning back to God can change outcomes and restore relationships. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 20:4?2. How does Isaiah 20:4 illustrate the consequences of trusting in human alliances? 3. What lessons can we learn about God's sovereignty from Isaiah 20:4? 4. How does Isaiah 20:4 connect with other warnings against false security in Scripture? 5. How can we apply the warning in Isaiah 20:4 to modern-day decisions? 6. What does Isaiah 20:4 teach about the importance of relying on God's protection? 7. What historical event does Isaiah 20:4 refer to regarding Assyria and Egypt? 8. How does Isaiah 20:4 illustrate God's sovereignty over nations? 9. What is the significance of Isaiah walking naked in Isaiah 20:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 20? 11. How does the prophecy of a coalition of nations in Ezekiel 38:5–6 align or conflict with other biblical prophecies of end-time alliances? 12. Isaiah 18:1: How can the reference to a “land of whirring wings” be reconciled with any known geography or culture? 13. If Isaiah truly walked “naked and barefoot” for three years (Isaiah 20:2–3), why doesn’t any external source mention such a shocking act, and how could it have gone unnoticed by contemporaries? 14. Isaiah 18:7: Why would the prophecy single out gifts from Ethiopia if there’s no clear historical account of such tribute being delivered to Mount Zion? What Does Isaiah 20:4 Mean Context• Isaiah 20 sits in the middle of a cluster of oracles (Isaiah 18–23) that warn surrounding nations not to trust political alliances instead of the LORD. • In 711 BC (cf. Isaiah 20:1), the Philistine city of Ashdod rebelled against the Assyrian empire. Egypt and Cush (Nubia/Ethiopia) quietly encouraged this uprising, hoping to block Assyria’s advance. Second Kings 18:21 shows Judah itself flirting with the same Egyptian alliance. • The LORD sent Isaiah to dramatize what would really happen to Egypt and Cush: they would be soundly defeated and publicly humiliated. God’s word is always true and historically reliable; these events occurred when Assyria conquered Egypt’s Delta cities in 701 BC and again in 669 BC (Isaiah 37:9; Nahum 3:8-10). Isaiah’s Sign Act • “At that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said, ‘Go, take off the sackcloth from your body and remove the sandals from your feet.’ And he did so, going around naked and barefoot” (Isaiah 20:2). • By literally stripping Isaiah, God provided a living picture of what Assyria would do to Egypt and Cush. Prophets often acted out their messages (Jeremiah 19:1-11; Ezekiel 4:1-3). • The humiliation was not partial: captives were marched “naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks— to Egypt’s shame” (Isaiah 20:4). Deuteronomy 28:48-49 warns that covenant breakers suffer this very disgrace; here it falls on pagan nations. Meaning of “naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks” • The phrase is literal: prisoners of war in the Ancient Near East were commonly stripped to display complete dominance (2 Samuel 10:4). • Shame is doubled: – Physical exposure in public (Genesis 3:7-10) – Forced exile from homeland (Isaiah 5:13) • The LORD is declaring that Egypt and Cush—symbols of worldly strength—will be powerless before His sovereign plan (Psalm 33:10-11). Purpose for Judah • Judah’s leaders were tempted to rely on Egypt’s cavalry (Isaiah 31:1) instead of the covenant-keeping God. • When Judah saw Egyptian and Cushite captives paraded through their land on the way to Assyria, they would confess, “Look, this is what has happened to those we hoped would help us” (Isaiah 20:5). • The prophecy is therefore both a warning and a mercy: God blocks false hopes so His people will trust Him alone (Psalm 20:7). Theological Implications • God rules the nations. Assyria thinks it acts by its own power, yet it is an instrument in the LORD’s hand (Isaiah 10:5-7). • Every promise God makes, He keeps—down to the detail of “bared buttocks.” Scripture is precise, true, and trustworthy (Numbers 23:19; Matthew 5:18). • Human power structures inevitably fall. Only the kingdom of God endures (Daniel 2:44; Hebrews 12:28). Application for Today • Beware misplaced confidence. Alliances, economies, and armies can collapse overnight; Christ alone is a sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6). • Public shame awaits prideful rebellion against God. Conversely, those who humble themselves under His mighty hand will be exalted (James 4:6-10). • Prophetic warnings are gracious invitations. Respond while there is time (2 Corinthians 6:2). summary Isaiah 20:4 foretells a literal, humiliating deportation of Egypt and Cush by the Assyrian king. Through Isaiah’s stark sign act, God exposed the folly of trusting human power instead of His word. The verse underscores Scripture’s accuracy, God’s sovereignty over nations, and the call for His people to place their full confidence in Him alone. (4) So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians . . .--The prediction did not receive its fulfilment in the reign either of Sargon or Sennacherib, but Esarhaddon subdued the whole of Egypt, carried off its treasures, and appointed satraps over its provinces (Budge's Esarhaddon, pp. 111-129). The prophet paints the brutality with which prisoners were treated on a march in vivid colours. What would men say of their boasted policy of an Egypto-Cushite alliance when they saw that as its disastrous issue? It may be noted that Rabshakeh's scornful phrase, "This bruised reed," seems to imply that Assyria had ceased to fear the power of Egypt; and Nahum (Nahum 3:8) speaks of No (i.e., No-Amun or Thebes) as having, when he wrote, been conquered, and his people carried into captivity.Verse 4. - So shall the King of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives. In Sennacherib's annals for the year B.C. 701, twelve years after this prophecy was given, we find the following passage: "The kings of Egypt, and the archers, chariots, and horsemen of the King of Meroe, a force without number, gathered and came to the aid of Ekron. In the neighborhood of Eltekeh their ranks were arrayed before me, and they urged on their soldiers. In the service of Asshur, my lord, I fought with them, and I accomplished their overthrow. The charioteers and sons of the kings of Egypt, and the charioteers of the King of Meres, alive in the midst of the battle, my hand captured" (G. Smith, 'Eponym Canon,' pp. 133, 134). Young and old. The intermixture of young and old, of full-grown males with women leading children by the hand or carrying them upon the shoulder, in the Assyrian sculptures, strikes us even on the most cursory inspection of them. Naked and barefoot. Assyrian captives are ordinarily represented "barefoot." Most commonly they wear a single tunic, reaching from the neck to the knees, or sometimes to the ankles, and girt about the waist with a girdle. It is probable that Egyptian and Ethiopian prisoners would be even more scantily clad, since the ordinary Egyptian tunic began at the waist and ended considerably above the knee.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew soכֵּ֣ן (kên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Assyria אַ֠שּׁוּר (’aš·šūr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 804: Ashshur will lead away יִנְהַ֣ג (yin·haḡ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh the captives שְׁבִ֨י (šə·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7628: Exiled, captured, exile, booty of Egypt מִצְרַ֜יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa and the exiles גָּל֥וּת (gā·lūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1546: Captivity, exiles of Cush, כּ֛וּשׁ (kūš) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3568: A son of Ham, also his descendants, also a land in the southern Nile Valley young נְעָרִ֥ים (nə·‘ā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer and old alike, וּזְקֵנִ֖ים (ū·zə·qê·nîm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2205: Old naked עָר֣וֹם (‘ā·rō·wm) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6174: Nude, either partially, totally and barefoot, וְיָחֵ֑ף (wə·yā·ḥêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3182: Unsandalled with bared וַחֲשׂוּפַ֥י (wa·ḥă·śū·p̄ay) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct Strong's 2834: To strip off, to make naked, to drain away, bail up buttocks— שֵׁ֖ת (šêṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8357: The seat to Egypt’s מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa shame. עֶרְוַ֥ת (‘er·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 6172: Nakedness Links Isaiah 20:4 NIVIsaiah 20:4 NLT Isaiah 20:4 ESV Isaiah 20:4 NASB Isaiah 20:4 KJV Isaiah 20:4 BibleApps.com Isaiah 20:4 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 20:4 Chinese Bible Isaiah 20:4 French Bible Isaiah 20:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 20:4 So the king of Assyria will lead (Isa Isi Is) |
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