Isaiah 20

Chap. XX. Ver. 1—6. An oracle against Ashdod and Egypt.—Tartan, general to Sargon, (one of the names of Sennacherib,) king of Assyria, besieged Ashdod, (or Azotis,) which probably belonged at that time to the king of Judah. ((2 Kings 18:18).) The inhabitants expected to be relieved by the Cushites (or Ethiopians) and Egyptians. Isaiah was ordered to go uncovered; that is, without his upper garment, (the rough mantle worn by the prophets, (Zechariah 12:4).) probably three days, a day for a year, according to the prophetic rule, ((Numbers 14:34). (Ezekiel 4:6).) to show that within three years, Ashdod should be taken, after the defeat of the Cushites and Egyptians; and that the king of Assyria should carry away the inhabitants naked and barefooted, as typified by his dress, or rather undress, of the prophet.

Had he walked thus for three years, till the event took place, Bp. Lowth remarks, it would have been no sign. This warning had a view to the nation of the Jews, (ver. 6.) who were generally inclined to rely on the aid of Egypt, more than on that of God; which is, indeed, far too generally the case with us all: we look to the creature, instead of the Creator.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XX. Ver. 1, Sargon—is generally supposed to be another name for Sennacherib, but this is by no means certain. Vitringa supposes him to have been Psalmaneser, father of Sennacherib, but Rosenmuller, that he was. Ver. 3. Naked and barefoot three years.—Lowth, “A sign and a prodigy of three years upon Egypt and upon Cush,” (or Ethiopia.) Bishop Lowth supposes one would three days, may have been dropped by the transcriber, or that the word days may have been changed for years; but Gataker thinks that the Hebrew might be rendered, “a three years sign and wonder upon Egypt,” &c. which is nearly the version of Lowth.