Isaiah 20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 20:2

Walking naked and barefoot - It is not probable that the prophet walked uncovered and barefoot for three years; his appearing in that manner was a sign that within three years the Egyptians and Cushites should be in the same condition, being conquered and made captives by the king of Assyria. The time was denoted as well as the event; but his appearing in that manner for three whole years could give no premonition of the time at all. It is probable, therefore, that the prophet was ordered to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:1

In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod ; rather, a tartan . The word was not a proper name, but a title of office, equivalent to surena among the Parthians, and signifying "commander-in-chief." The tartan held the second position in the empire. Isaiah has been accused of having confounded together the two sieges of Ashdod (Cheyne); but if one was conducted by the tartan, and the other by Sargon in person, his words would distinguish as perfectly as possible which siege he meant. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:1-3

Unpleasant service. It may always remain uncertain whether Isaiah went stripped and barefoot for three whole years or for a shorter period. Two things, however, are quite certain, viz. that for some time, longer or shorter, this servant of Jehovah (verse 3) went about Jerusalem in that humiliating condition, and that he would have unhesitatingly done this all the time if God had required him to do so. Many suggestions have been made on the subject, but it does not occur to any one to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:1-4

Foolish trust rebuked by a strange sign. Few things are so difficult as to bring men to rely wholly and solely upon God. The circumstances of the time were these. Humanly speaking, Judaea lay absolutely at the mercy of Assyria. There was no existing power or combination of powers that could successfully contend at the time against the vast bodies of well-armed and well-disciplined soldiers which a king of Assyria could bring into the field. Nothing could prolong Jewish independence for more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:1-6

A PROPHECY AGAINST EGYPT AND ETHIOPIA . The Assyrian inscriptions enable us to date this prophecy with a near approach to exactness. Ashdod was besieged by an Assyrian army twice in the reign of Sargon—in his ninth year and in his eleventh year. On the former occasion it is probable that the arms of a general (Tartan) were employed; on the latter it is nearly certain that Sargon made the expedition in person. The capture of Ashdod, here mentioned, is consequently the first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:1-6

The prophet as a sign. I. THE HISTORICAL CIRCUMSTANCES . The illusion of Egyptian unity had passed away again. The country was broken up under the rule of a number of petty kings, of whom Shabak, or So, or Seve ( 2 Kings 17:4 ), was one. Negotiations seem to have been begun between Judah and Egypt, probably as a resource against the Assyrian. Ashdod was laid siege to by the Assyrians about B.C. 713-711, and the inhabitants carried off captives. And Judah's name appears in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:2

Loose the sackcloth from off thy loins . Dr. Kay supposes that Isaiah was wearing sackcloth exceptionally, as during a time of mourning. But it is more probable that the Hebrew sak represents the haircloth ("rough garment," Zechariah 13:4 ), which, as ascetics, the Hebrew prophets wore habitually ( 2 Kings 1:8 ; Matthew 3:4 ). Walking naked . Probably not actually "naked," for captives were not stripped bare by the Assyrians, but with nothing on besides his short tunic, as the male... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:2-3

Divine revelation in actions as well as words. The language is somewhat uncertain, but it seems better to understand that, for three years, Isaiah was seen going to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, having the dress and appearance of one who was already a prisoner of war, ready to be led into an ignominious exile. Isaiah wore no upper or outer garment, and no sandals, so that, when his dress was compared with that of others, he might be said to go naked; but "naked" in Scripture... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:3

My servant Isaiah . Isaiah shares this honorable title, "my servant," with a select few among God's saints—with Abraham ( Genesis 26:24 ), Moses ( Numbers 12:7 ), Caleb ( Numbers 14:24 ), Job ( Job 1:8 ; Job 42:7 , Job 42:8 ), Eliakim ( Isaiah 22:20 ), and Zerubbabel ( Haggai 2:23 ). It is a great acknowledgment for the Creator to make to the creature, that he really does him service. Three years. Probably from B.C. 713 to B.C. 711, or during the whole of the time that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 20:4

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... read more

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