Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 20ישעיהו 20

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Sargon's campaign against Ashdod, Isaiah stripped of sackcloth and sandals, three years of naked-and-barefoot sign-bearing, the shameful deportation of Egypt and Cush, and the coastal inhabitants' cry of failed trust make Isaiah 20 one of the book's starkest acted warnings against political reliance on anti-Assyrian hopes. It opens with precise historical anchoring. The Assyrian commander comes to Ashdod under Sargon, fights against it, and captures it, so the chapter is rooted in imperial movement rather than abstract symbolism. Into that setting YHWH speaks to Isaiah and commands him to remove the sackcloth from his waist and the sandals from his feet. The prophet obeys and walks naked and barefoot, not as private eccentricity but as public prophetic embodiment. YHWH then interprets the act: for three years Isaiah's exposed condition serves as sign and portent against Egypt and Cush. The sign is severe because the fate it announces is severe. The king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. It therefore attacks more than military optimism; it attacks the prestige of the very powers on which Judah and the coastlands might imagine leaning. Those who looked to Cush as hope and to Egypt as glory will be shattered and ashamed. The final voice belongs to the inhabitant of this coastland, who recognizes too late what has happened: behold, this was our expectation, where we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria, and how shall we escape? Taken together, the oracle binds historical invasion, prophetic sign-act, imperial humiliation of Egypt and Cush, exposed political illusion, and the desperate question of survival into a compact warning where YHWH strips away confidence in foreign alliances by making their end visible in advance.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Three linked movements shape the chapter: the historical notice of Ashdod's capture (v. 1), Isaiah's enacted sign and YHWH's interpretation of it (vv. 2-4), and the resulting shame and fear of those who trusted in Cush and Egypt (vv. 5-6). Verse 1 should preserve its historical specificity. Tartan, Ashdod, Sargon king of Assyria, and the capture of the city belong to the chapter's framing force, because the sign-act is set within recognizable imperial aggression. Verse 2 is equally important and should keep both the sackcloth and sandal details. The prophet's stripped condition should be translated plainly without over-softening it; the shock of the sign depends on bodily exposure and vulnerability. Verse 3 clarifies that the action lasted three years and functioned as both sign and portent against Egypt and Cush. That duration should remain explicit, because it gives the sign public persistence rather than momentary theatricality. Verse 4 then states the meaning in full. The captives of Egypt and exiles of Cush, young and old, are led away naked and barefoot with the shame of exposed buttocks. The wording should remain blunt, because humiliation is part of the announced judgment and part of the argument against trusting those powers. Verses 5-6 turn from the sign to the audience's shattered confidence. The relation between Cush as object of expectation and Egypt as object of glory or boast should remain clear, because the chapter targets prestige-politics as much as military calculation. The final line from the coastland inhabitant should preserve its startled recognition and desperate logic: if the powers to whom we fled are humiliated, what hope remains for us before Assyria? Taken together, the passage should therefore be translated as a short but forceful sign-oracle in which historical Assyrian advance, prophetic exposure, and the shaming of Egypt and Cush combine to warn Judah and its neighbors against salvation by foreign alliance. Versification follows the MT. **Cruxes.** | Verse | Issue | | --- | --- | | none | none of note |

1

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת בֹּ֤א תַרְתָּן֙ אַשְׁדּ֔וֹדָה בִּשְׁלֹ֣ח אֹת֔וֹ סַֽרְג֖וֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר וַיִּלָּ֥חֶם בְּאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ

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

Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complementasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complement. Lead predicate is 'came'. Opens the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
בִּשְׁנַ֨תin the year ofprep + N com f sg constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'in the year of'.
בֹּ֤אcameQal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementבּוֹא (H935) 'came'.
תַרְתָּן֙TartanN · תַּרְתָּן (H8661)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תַּרְתָּן (H8661) 'Tartan'.
אַשְׁדּ֔וֹדָהAshdodN · אַשְׁדּוֹד (H795)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַשְׁדּוֹד (H795) 'Ashdod'.
בִּשְׁלֹ֣חwhen he sent awayprep + Qal inf constr · שָׁלַח (H7971)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementשָׁלַח (H7971) 'when he sent away'.
אֹת֔וֹhimobj marker + sfx 3ms · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) 'him'.
סַֽרְג֖וֹןSargonN · סַרְגּוֹן (H5623)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)סַרְגּוֹן (H5623) 'Sargon'.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN c · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (genitival)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king of'.
אַשּׁ֑וּרAsshurN · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַשּׁוּר (H804) 'Asshur'.
וַיִּלָּ֥חֶםand he foughtconj וְ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָחַם (H3898) 'and he fought'.
בְּאַשְׁדּ֖וֹדAshdodprep + N proper · אַשְׁדּוֹד (H795)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַשְׁדּוֹד (H795) 'Ashdod'.
וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּand he captured itconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + sfx 3fs · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָכַד (H3920) 'and he captured it'.
2

בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָה֮ בְּיַ֣ד יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ בֶן אָמוֹץ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ לֵ֗ךְ וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤ הַשַּׂק֙ מֵעַ֣ל מָתְנֶ֔יךָ וְנַעַלְךָ֥ תַחֲלֹ֖ץ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑יךָ וַיַּ֣עַשׂ כֵּ֔ן הָלֹ֖ךְ עָר֥וֹם וְיָחֵֽף

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

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'speak'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep + art + N com c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֵת (H6256) 'at the time'.
הַהִ֗יאthatart + pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'that'.
דִּבֶּ֣רspeakPiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actדִּבֶּר (H1696) 'speak'.
יְהוָה֮YHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בְּיַ֣דby the hand ofprep + N com c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָד (H3027) 'by the hand of'.
יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּIsaiahN · יְשַׁעְיָה (H3470)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְשַׁעְיָה (H3470) 'Isaiah'.
בֶןson ofN c · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son of'.
אָמוֹץ֮AmozN · אָמוֹץ (H531)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אָמוֹץ (H531) 'Amoz'.
לֵאמֹר֒sayingprep + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementאָמַר (H559) 'saying'.
לֵ֗ךְgoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (imperative)→ Volitional: imperativeהָלַךְ (H3212) 'go'.
וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤and you shall engraveconj וְ + Piel q 2ms · פָּתַח (H6605)Particle or relational elementפָּתַח (H6605) 'and you shall engrave'.
הַשַּׂק֙sackclothart + N com m sg abs · שַׂק (H8242)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שַׂק (H8242) 'sackcloth'.
מֵעַ֣לfrom uponprep + prep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'from upon'.
מָתְנֶ֔יךָthe loins ofN c · מֹתֶן (H4975)Construct chain (genitival)מֹתֶן (H4975) 'the loins of'.
וְנַעַלְךָ֥and your sandalconj וְ + N com f sg constr + sfx 2ms · נַעַל (H5275)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נַעַל (H5275) 'and your sandal'.
תַחֲלֹ֖ץarmedQal impf 2ms · חָלַץ (H2502)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalחָלַץ (H2502) 'armed'.
מֵעַ֣לfrom uponprep + prep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'from upon'.
רַגְלֶ֑יךָyour feetN c · רֶגֶל (H7272)Construct chain (genitival)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'your feet'.
וַיַּ֣עַשׂand he madeconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'and he made'.
כֵּ֔ןsoadv. · כֵּן (H3651)Particle or relational elementכֵּן (H3651) 'so'.
הָלֹ֖ךְwentQal inf abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Infinitive absolute→ Infinitive absolute: emphasis or attendant actionהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
עָר֥וֹםnakedAdj · עָרֹם (H6174)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָרֹם (H6174) 'naked'.
וְיָחֵֽףbarefootconj וְ + Adj · יָחֵף (H3182)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָחֵף (H3182) 'barefoot'.
3

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלַ֛ךְ עַבְדִּ֥י יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ עָר֣וֹם וְיָחֵ֑ף שָׁלֹ֤שׁ שָׁנִים֙ א֣וֹת וּמוֹפֵ֔ת עַל מִצְרַ֖יִם וְעַל כּֽוּשׁ

And YHWH said, Like as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

Narrative wayyiqtol — foregrounded sequential actionwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Narrative wayyiqtol — foregrounded sequential action. Lead predicate is 'and he said'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'and he said'.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep + rel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'.
הָלַ֛ךְwentQal perf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actהָלַךְ (H1980) 'went'.
עַבְדִּ֥יthe servants ofN c · עֶבֶד (H5650)Construct chain (genitival)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'the servants of'.
יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּIsaiahN · יְשַׁעְיָה (H3470)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְשַׁעְיָה (H3470) 'Isaiah'.
עָר֣וֹםnakedAdj · עָרֹם (H6174)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָרֹם (H6174) 'naked'.
וְיָחֵ֑ףbarefootconj וְ + Adj · יָחֵף (H3182)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָחֵף (H3182) 'barefoot'.
שָׁלֹ֤שׁthreeAdj · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'.
שָׁנִים֙yearsN c · שָׁנָה (H8141)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'years'.
א֣וֹתa signN c · אוֹת (H226)Construct chain (genitival)אוֹת (H226) 'a sign'.
וּמוֹפֵ֔תand the wondersconj וְ + N com m sg abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מוֹפֵת (H4159) 'and the wonders'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on'.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptN · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'.
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'and on'.
כּֽוּשׁCushN · כּוּשׁ (H3568)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כּוּשׁ (H3568) 'Cush'.
4

כֵּ֣ן יִנְהַ֣ג מֶֽלֶךְ אַ֠שּׁוּר אֶת שְׁבִ֨י מִצְרַ֜יִם וְאֶת גָּל֥וּת כּ֛וּשׁ נְעָרִ֥ים וּזְקֵנִ֖ים עָר֣וֹם וְיָחֵ֑ף וַחֲשׂוּפַ֥י שֵׁ֖ת עֶרְוַ֥ת מִצְרָֽיִם

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

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'will drive'.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כֵּ֣ןsoadv. · כֵּן (H3651)Particle or relational elementכֵּן (H3651) 'so'.
יִנְהַ֣גwill driveQal impf 3ms · נָהַג (H5090)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalנָהַג (H5090) 'will drive'.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN c · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (genitival)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king of'.
אַ֠שּׁוּרAsshurN · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַשּׁוּר (H804) 'Asshur'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
שְׁבִ֨יcaptivesN c · שְׁבִי (H7628)Construct chain (genitival)שְׁבִי (H7628) 'captives'.
מִצְרַ֜יִםEgyptN · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) 'and [obj]'.
גָּל֥וּתtoN c · גָּלוּת (H1546)Construct chain (genitival)גָּלוּת (H1546) 'to'.
כּ֛וּשׁCushN · כּוּשׁ (H3568)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כּוּשׁ (H3568) 'Cush'.
נְעָרִ֥יםthe boyN c · נַעַר (H5288)Construct chain (genitival)נַעַר (H5288) 'the boy'.
וּזְקֵנִ֖יםthe elders ofconj וְ + Adj · זָקֵן (H2205)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)זָקֵן (H2205) 'the elders of'.
עָר֣וֹםnakedAdj · עָרֹם (H6174)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָרֹם (H6174) 'naked'.
וְיָחֵ֑ףbarefootconj וְ + Adj · יָחֵף (H3182)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יָחֵף (H3182) 'barefoot'.
וַחֲשׂוּפַ֥יandconj וְ + Qal ptc mp · חָשַׂף (H2834)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorחָשַׂף (H2834) 'and'.
שֵׁ֖תbuttockN c · שֵׁתָה (H8357)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁתָה (H8357) 'buttock'.
עֶרְוַ֥תthe nakedness ofN c · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Construct chain (genitival)עֶרְוָה (H6172) 'the nakedness of'.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptN · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'.
5

וְחַתּ֖וּ וָבֹ֑שׁוּ מִכּוּשׁ֙ מַבָּטָ֔ם וּמִן מִצְרַ֖יִם תִּפְאַרְתָּֽם

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

Linked non-verbal clausewə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Linked non-verbal clause.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְחַתּ֖וּbe dismayedconj וְ + Qal q 3cp · חָתַת (H2865)Particle or relational elementחָתַת (H2865) 'be dismayed'.
וָבֹ֑שׁוּwere ashamedconj וְ + Qal q 3cp · בּוּשׁ (H954)Particle or relational elementבּוּשׁ (H954) 'were ashamed'.
מִכּוּשׁ֙Cushprep + N proper · כּוּשׁ (H3568)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כּוּשׁ (H3568) 'Cush'.
מַבָּטָ֔םexpectationN c · מַבָּט (H4007)Construct chain (genitival)מַבָּט (H4007) 'expectation'.
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'and from'.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptN · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'.
תִּפְאַרְתָּֽםand for beautyN c · תִּפְאֶרֶת (H8597)Construct chain (genitival)תִּפְאֶרֶת (H8597) 'and for beauty'.
6

וְ֠אָמַר יֹשֵׁ֨ב הָאִ֣י הַזֶּה֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַהוּא֒ הִנֵּה כֹ֣ה מַבָּטֵ֗נוּ אֲשֶׁר נַ֤סְנוּ שָׁם֙ לְעֶזְרָ֔ה לְהִ֨נָּצֵ֔ל מִפְּנֵ֖י מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר וְאֵ֖יךְ נִמָּלֵ֥ט אֲנָֽחְנוּ

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

Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actorwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Participle — attendant circumstance or substantival actor. Lead predicate is 'dwelling'. Closes the chapter. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְ֠אָמַרand I saidconj וְ + Qal q 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Particle or relational elementאָמַר (H559) 'and I said'.
יֹשֵׁ֨בdwellingQal ptc ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorיָשַׁב (H3427) 'dwelling'.
הָאִ֣יcoastlands ofart + N com m sg abs · אִי (H339)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אִי (H339) 'coastlands of'.
הַזֶּה֮thisart + dem. pron xms · זֶה (H2088)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)זֶה (H2088) 'this'.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep + art + N com m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יוֹם (H3117) 'on the day'.
הַהוּא֒thatart + pron 3ms · הִיא (H1931)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)הִיא (H1931) 'that'.
הִנֵּהbeholdadv. · הִנֵּה (H2009)Particle or relational elementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'.
כֹ֣הthusart · כֹּה (H3541)Particle or relational elementכֹּה (H3541) 'thus'.
מַבָּטֵ֗נוּexpectationN c · מַבָּט (H4007)Construct chain (genitival)מַבָּט (H4007) 'expectation'.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
נַ֤סְנוּand they fledQal perf 1cp · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actנוּס (H5127) 'and they fled'.
שָׁם֙thereart · שָׁם (H8033)Particle or relational elementשָׁם (H8033) 'there'.
לְעֶזְרָ֔הto the help ofprep + N com f sg abs · עֶזְרָה (H5833)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֶזְרָה (H5833) 'to the help of'.
לְהִ֨נָּצֵ֔לhas deliveredprep + Niphal inf constr · נָצַל (H5337)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementנָצַל (H5337) 'has delivered'.
מִפְּנֵ֖יbecause ofprep + N com c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)פָּנִים (H6440) 'because of'.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN c · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (genitival)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king of'.
אַשּׁ֑וּרAsshurN · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אַשּׁוּר (H804) 'Asshur'.
וְאֵ֖יךְand howconj וְ + interrog. · אֵיכָה (H349)Particle or relational elementאֵיכָה (H349) 'and how'.
נִמָּלֵ֥טhad escapedN · מָלַט (H4422)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מָלַט (H4422) 'had escaped'.
אֲנָֽחְנוּwepron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'.