King James Version

What Does Isaiah 20:4 Mean?

Isaiah 20:4 in the King James Version says “So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and ba...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 20:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape? isle: or, country

Read Isaiah 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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 prophecy's fulfillment explained: Assyria will deport Egyptians and Ethiopians exactly as Isaiah depicted—naked, barefoot, buttocks exposed (ultimate humiliation in honor/shame culture). 'Young and old' indicates comprehensive judgment—all ages affected, none spared. This would be 'the shame of Egypt'—proud civilization experiencing total humiliation. The vivid imagery emphasizes judgment's horror—not abstract theological pronouncement but concrete physical suffering. God's warnings are serious; His judgments are real. This should drive hearers to repentance and trust in God rather than false securities. Reformed theology emphasizes both God's love and His wrath—minimizing either produces distorted gospel.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian records confirm such deportations occurred. Esarhaddon's annals (7th century BCE) describe conquering Egypt: 'I tore up the root of Kush...I brought back to Assyria, the people, young and old, male and female.' Ashurbanipal's records describe similar campaigns with graphic details matching prophetic descriptions. Palace reliefs show exactly what Isaiah depicted—naked bound captives being led away. This archaeological confirmation validates the prophecy's accuracy. The comprehensive nature (young and old) was fulfilled—entire populations deported, not just soldiers. This demonstrated that alliances with Egypt provided no security; only trusting God protected Judah. The historical validation served multiple purposes: warning future generations, demonstrating prophetic reliability, and revealing God's sovereign control over history.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does comprehensive deportation (young and old) teach about judgment affecting entire societies?
  2. How does archaeological confirmation of prophetic details validate Scripture's divine origin?
  3. Why do God's warnings include vivid descriptions of judgment's horror?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כֵּ֣ן1 of 18
H3651

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

יִנְהַ֣ג2 of 18

“lead away”

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

מֶֽלֶךְ3 of 18

“So shall the king”

H4428

a king

אַ֠שּׁוּר4 of 18

“of Assyria”

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

אֶת5 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁבִ֨י6 of 18

“prisoners”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

מִצְרָֽיִם׃7 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאֶת8 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גָּל֥וּת9 of 18

“captives”

H1546

captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)

כּ֛וּשׁ10 of 18

“and the Ethiopians”

H3568

cush (or ethiopia), the name of an israelite

נְעָרִ֥ים11 of 18

“young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וּזְקֵנִ֖ים12 of 18

“and old”

H2205

old

עָר֣וֹם13 of 18

“naked”

H6174

nude, either partially or totally

וְיָחֵ֑ף14 of 18

“and barefoot”

H3182

unsandalled

וַחֲשׂוּפַ֥י15 of 18

“uncovered”

H2834

to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)

שֵׁ֖ת16 of 18

“even with their buttocks”

H8357

the seat (of the person)

עֶרְוַ֥ת17 of 18

“to the shame”

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃18 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 20:4 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 20:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 19:4Jeremiah 13:22Jeremiah 13:26Revelation 3:182 Samuel 10:4Isaiah 47:3

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
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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