Isaiah 20

God threaneth the Egyptians and Ethiopians, by an outward token, that they should be carried away captive by the Assyrians, ver.1, &c. Which the Lord causeth to be set before the Jews, that they might not put their trust and confidence in them, 5.

1. In the year when Tartan [One of the chief Commanders in Sennacheribs army, 2 Kings 18:17.] came to Ashdod, [formerly a chief city of one of the five Principalities of the Philistines, Josh.13.3. where the Idol Dagon was worshipped, 1 Sam.5.2.] when Sargon the King of Assyria [he is commonly called Sennacherib, as 2 Kings 18:13. and elsewhere] had sent him and waged war against Ashdod, and took it: [concerning the taking of the city of Ashdod some count the three years whereof mention is made, verse 3.]

2. At the same time the LORD spake by the time ministery, Heb. By the hand. See Levit.8.on ver.36.] of Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, go thy ways, [To wit, to preach or to prophesy] and loose the sack from thy loins, [Heb. Open the sack. A man must first open or loose a sack which he hath on his body, or garment, when he shall pull it off, (loose the sack, &c.) that is, thy mourning garment, which as it seemeth, the Prophet had put on, for a token of the misery that was approaching to the Jews, and other Nations. Some are opinion that it was a prophetical garment, which he wore ordinarily] and put off thy shoes from thy feet: and he did so, going naked and bare-foot. [Going naked, that is, bare; to wit, without a sack or mourning garment, and without shoes. For to go stark naked would be an unseemly and shameful thing. The meaning is, that the Prophet went in a bare habit, like a poor slave or bond-man that is carried away captive; and to signify that such misery as this was approaching to the Ethiopians and Egyptians, as is further expressed ver.4. Others take the word naked here, for bare or stripped of his Prophetical garment. See 1 Sam.chap.9. vers.24. and the Annotat. There. (and bare-foot) or, unshod; without hose or shoes. See 2 Sam.25.30. and Jerem.2.25.]

3. Then said the LORD, like as my servant Isaiah walketh [Or, hath walked] naked and bare-foot [some take this to be onely a prophetical vision; others take it to be a thing that was early and truly done] three years, [That is, to shew what should befall Egypt and Ethiopia three years after the expiration of three years. Or to shew, that the misery which should come upon Egypt and Ethiopia, should last three years] (for) a token and wonder upon Egypt, and upon Ethiopia: [others a token and wonder is upon Egypt etc.]

4. So shalt the King of Assyria [to wit, Sargon or Senacherib] drive on or lead away, or carry away, or drive hence, or, lead hence; to wit, as a company of beasts, as the Hebrew word is used, Genes.31.18. Exod.3.1. 1 Sam.30.20. and elsewhere besides] the captives of the Egyptians, [Heb. The captivity, etc. See Numb.31.on vers.12. and understand here the captive Egyptians, which should remain or be left from the slaughter] and the Ethiopians that shall be carried away, [Heb. The carrying away of the Ethiopians; that is, a great multitude of the Ethiopians which shall be carried away captive unto Assyria, which some understand of those Ethiopians that under the command and conduct of Thirhaka marched forth to battle against the Assyrians] young and old, naked, and bare-foot, and with bare buttocks, (to) the shame of the Egyptians. [Or to the reproach of Egypt. Understand withal and of Ethiopia.]

5. And they [To wit, the Philistines, and likewise the Jews who had a strong hope and confidence that the Egyptians would expel and drive away Semmacherib. See 2 Kings 18:21.] shall fear and be ashamed of the Ethiopians, [that is, because of the Ethiopians] upon whom they looked, [Heb. Their looking on: that is, their expectation, that is, from whom they looked for aid, and on whom they trusted and relied] and of the Egyptians their glory. [that is, of whose aid they gloried and boasted.]

6. And the inhabitants of his Island [That is, of this land, to wit, of the Philistines & of the Jews. The Hebrew word signifieth properly and usually an Island; but it cannot be taken here in its proper signification, but in this respect that Jews and the Philistines were separated from all other nations, as Islands are separated from all other lands or countries, by the Sea or Rivers. Or the prophet calleth the land of the philistines and of the Jews an Island, because they are compassed round about by their armies, as an Island lieth round about in water, and is environed or compassed round by it. See further Gen.10.on verse 5. & Psal.72.on ver.10.] shall say in that day: behold, so hath it (happened) to them upon whom looked, [Heb. Our looking on etc. See on ver.5. That is, upon whom we have cast our eyes] whither we fled for help, to be delivered from the face of the King Assyria; [or, from the King of Assyria] bow shall we then escape?