Bible Commentary

Isaiah 20

Isaiah 20 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

This chapter is a prediction of the carrying away of multitudes both of the Egyptians and the Ethiopians into captivity by the king of Assyria. Here is, I. The sign by which this was foretold, which was the prophet's going for some time barefoot and almost naked, like a poor captive, ver. 1-2. II. The explication of that sign, with application to Egypt and Ethiopia, ver. 3-5. III. The good use which the people of God should make of this, which is never to trust in an arm of flesh, because thus it will deceive them, ver. 6.

Threatenings against Egypt. (b. c. 713.)

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Isaiah 20 — OverviewIsaiah 20 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeIsaiah 20:1, A type prefiguring the shameful captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia.Isaiah 20 — OverviewIsaiah 20 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the Egyptians and Ethiopians by the Assyrians, which had been prophesied of separately in the two preceding chapters Isa 18:1, and now conjunctly in this: the time…Isaiah 20:1-6Isaiah 20:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleGod here, as King of nations, brings a sore calamity upon Egypt and Ethiopia, but, as King of saints, brings good to his people out of it. Observe, I. The date of this prophecy. It was in the year that Ashdod, a…Isaiah 20:1Isaiah 20:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryIn 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…Isaiah 20:1-3Isaiah 20:1-3 · The Pulpit CommentaryUnpleasant 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…Isaiah 20:1-4Isaiah 20:1-4 · The Pulpit CommentaryFoolish 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…