King James Version

What Does Isaiah 20:3 Mean?

Isaiah 20:3 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Isaiah 20:3 · 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

5

And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Read Isaiah 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' God explains the sign: Isaiah's three years of humiliation prefigures Egypt and Ethiopia's coming shame. 'Sign and wonder' (oth umopheth) indicates miraculous testimony—not just unusual but divinely authenticated message. The three-year duration intensified impact—not brief dramatic gesture but sustained witness demonstrating seriousness and certainty of prophecy. This embodied warning demonstrated God's patience—providing extended warning before judgment. The phrase 'my servant Isaiah' honors the prophet's faithful obedience. Despite personal cost, Isaiah maintained the sign for three full years. This models costly discipleship—God's servants must sometimes bear shame for faithful witness (Hebrews 11:36-38; 13:13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The three years (712-709 BCE) preceded major Assyrian campaigns against Egypt (701 BCE and later). This warning period demonstrated God's mercy—providing time for repentance and reconsideration before judgment fell. Judah's politicians advocating Egyptian alliance had three years to observe Isaiah's warning and reconsider. Some did heed—Hezekiah ultimately trusted God rather than Egypt during 701 crisis, resulting in miraculous deliverance. The sustained sign-act also validated prophecy's seriousness—brief dramatic gestures might be dismissed, but three years indicated unwavering divine commitment to the message. Church history shows God similarly provides warning before judgments—giving opportunity for repentance while demonstrating justice when warnings are ignored.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does three years' duration teach about God's patience in providing warning before judgment?
  2. How did the sustained sign-act validate the prophecy's seriousness versus brief symbolic gestures?
  3. In what ways does God demonstrate both mercy (warning) and justice (following through) in temporal judgments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה2 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר3 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלַ֛ךְ4 of 16

“hath walked”

H1980

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

עַבְדִּ֥י5 of 16

“Like as my servant”

H5650

a servant

יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ6 of 16

“Isaiah”

H3470

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

עָר֣וֹם7 of 16

“naked”

H6174

nude, either partially or totally

וְיָחֵ֑ף8 of 16

“and barefoot”

H3182

unsandalled

שָׁלֹ֤שׁ9 of 16

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שָׁנִים֙10 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

א֣וֹת11 of 16

“for a sign”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וּמוֹפֵ֔ת12 of 16

“and wonder”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

עַל13 of 16
H5921

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

מִצְרַ֖יִם14 of 16

“upon Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְעַל15 of 16
H5921

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

כּֽוּשׁ׃16 of 16

“and upon Ethiopia”

H3568

cush (or ethiopia), the name of an israelite

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 20:3 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 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 8:18Ezekiel 4:5-6Isaiah 43:3Isaiah 18:1-7Isaiah 37:9Numbers 14:34

Places in This Verse

Cush 1Region · Modern: Meroe · 16.94°N, 33.75°E19 verses across 7 books
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Isaiah 20 →

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