King James Version

What Does Isaiah 20:2 Mean?

Isaiah 20:2 in the King James Version says “At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and pu... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. by: Heb. by the hand of

Isaiah 20:2 · KJV


Context

1

In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;

2

At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. by: Heb. by the hand of

3

And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

4

So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. the Egyptians: Heb. the captivity of Egypt shame: Heb. nakedness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.' God commands shocking sign-act: Isaiah walks naked (likely meaning stripped to loincloth, not fully nude) and barefoot. Prophets performed symbolic acts to communicate divine messages (Jeremiah's yoke, Ezekiel's siege model). This dramatic action captured attention and embodied coming judgment. 'Naked and barefoot' represented prisoners of war stripped and humiliated during deportation—exactly what would happen to Egyptians and Ethiopians. The phrase 'he did so' emphasizes Isaiah's obedience despite personal cost—prophetic ministry required personal sacrifice for faithful message delivery. Reformed ministry theology emphasizes faithfulness to divine call regardless of personal discomfort or reputational cost.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare routinely humiliated captives by stripping clothing and forcing barefoot marching to deportation sites—depicted in Assyrian palace reliefs showing naked bound captives. This wasn't unique cruelty but standard practice to degrade enemies and discourage resistance. Isaiah embodying this condition for three years would have been extremely provocative—religious teacher walking around Jerusalem nearly naked, subject to mockery and misunderstanding. This demonstrates prophetic courage—willingness to appear foolish for faithful message delivery. The sign-act communicated viscerally what verbal prophecy might not: the horrific reality awaiting those who trusted Egypt. Such radical obedience characterized true prophets versus comfortable false prophets promising easy messages.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Isaiah's willingness to appear foolish teach about faithfulness to prophetic calling?
  2. How do symbolic acts communicate truths differently than mere words?
  3. Why does prophetic ministry sometimes require personal sacrifice and humiliation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בָּעֵ֣ת1 of 23

At the same time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִ֗יא2 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

דִּבֶּ֣ר3 of 23

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָה֮4 of 23

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּיַ֣ד5 of 23

by

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ6 of 23

Isaiah

H3470

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

בֶן7 of 23

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָמוֹץ֮8 of 23

of Amoz

H531

amots, an israelite

לֵאמֹר֒9 of 23

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָלֹ֖ךְ10 of 23

walking

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤11 of 23

and loose

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

הַשַּׂק֙12 of 23

the sackcloth

H8242

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

מֵעַ֣ל13 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מָתְנֶ֔יךָ14 of 23

from off thy loins

H4975

properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins

וְנַעַלְךָ֥15 of 23

thy shoe

H5275

properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)

תַחֲלֹ֖ץ16 of 23

and put off

H2502

to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen

מֵעַ֣ל17 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רַגְלֶ֑ךָ18 of 23

from thy foot

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ19 of 23

And he did so

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵּ֔ן20 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הָלֹ֖ךְ21 of 23

walking

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עָר֥וֹם22 of 23

naked

H6174

nude, either partially or totally

וְיָחֵֽף׃23 of 23

and barefoot

H3182

unsandalled


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 20:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 20:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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