Isaiah 20 Study Notes

20:1 The events narrated in this verse took place between 713 and 711 BC. Sargon II attacked the Philistine city of Ashdod after its king, Azuri, revolted. Azuri probably thought that Egypt under Shabaka would provide aid. The Assyrians deposed Azuri and placed his brother Ahimeti on the throne. But Ahimeti was deposed by a person named Yamani, so Sargon had to come back. Yamani fled to Egypt, but under the Assyrian threat, Egypt handed the rebel over. This should have served as a warning to others who believed Egypt could provide help against their enemies.

20:2-4 God commanded Isaiah to perform a symbolic action that would support his spoken pronouncement. Isaiah had been wearing sackcloth, a symbol of mourning, but he was told to go about stripped. This would represent the coming humiliation and destitution of Egypt.

20:5 Those who trusted Egypt and Cush for help against their enemies would be sorely disappointed. God was the only proper object of the people’s trust.

20:6 The pronouncement envisioned other nations coming to recognize that Egypt was an unreliable ally. The implicit message is that Judah should come to the same realization.