King James Version

What Does Isaiah 20:6 Mean?

Isaiah 20:6 in the King James Version says “And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be d... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 20:6 · KJV


Context

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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?' The 'isle' (Hebrew 'iy—coastland/region) likely refers to Judah/Palestine from Assyrian perspective. Inhabitants will lament: 'This is what came of our expectation'—our hoped-for help proved useless. The rhetorical question 'how shall we escape?' expresses despair when trusted security fails. This demonstrates the tragedy of misplaced trust—not just disappointment but existential threat. The verse captures the devastating realization that comes when false refuges fail and genuine danger remains. This should drive people to the only true refuge: God Himself. The implied answer to 'how shall we escape?' is: only through trusting the LORD, not human alliances. Reformed soteriology emphasizes this principle: apart from divine grace, there is no escape from divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This captured the exact situation of 701 BCE: Judean cities fell to Assyria, Egyptian help failed, people realized their trusted security was empty, and cried out in despair. Yet those who trusted God DID escape—Jerusalem was miraculously delivered when God destroyed the Assyrian army (Isaiah 37:36). The answer to 'how shall we escape?' was demonstrated: only through trusting God's promises. This validated Isaiah's consistent message throughout his ministry: political alliances provide false security; genuine security lies only in covenant faithfulness to God. Church history shows the same pattern: believers trusting God's promises experience deliverance (often miraculous), while those trusting human securities experience repeated disappointment. The lesson endures: trust God alone; all other refuges fail.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the despairing question 'how shall we escape?' teach about failure of false securities?
  2. How did the 701 BCE deliverance answer the question by demonstrating divine help's sufficiency?
  3. Why must false refuges fail before people genuinely turn to the true Refuge?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְ֠אָמַר1 of 20

shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֹשֵׁ֨ב2 of 20

And the inhabitant

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאִ֣י3 of 20

of this isle

H339

properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island

הַזֶּה֮4 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בַּיּ֣וֹם5 of 20

in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהוּא֒6 of 20
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

הִנֵּה7 of 20
H2009

lo!

כֹ֣ה8 of 20

Behold such

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

מַבָּטֵ֗נוּ9 of 20

is our expectation

H4007

something expected, i.e., (abstractly) expectation

אֲשֶׁר10 of 20
H834

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

נַ֤סְנוּ11 of 20

whither we flee

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

שָׁם֙12 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְעֶזְרָ֔ה13 of 20

for help

H5833

aid

לְהִ֨נָּצֵ֔ל14 of 20

to be delivered

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מִפְּנֵ֖י15 of 20

from

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֶ֣לֶךְ16 of 20

the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֑וּר17 of 20

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

וְאֵ֖יךְ18 of 20
H349

how? or how!; also where

נִמָּלֵ֥ט19 of 20

and how shall we escape

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃20 of 20
H587

we


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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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