Isaiah 20 — Tyndale Study Notes
Isa.17.1-20.6
This section contains prophecies of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene moves from the crisis of 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel—see study note on 7:1-25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see chs 36–37).
Isa.19.1-20.6
See also Jer 46; Ezek 29–32.
Isa.20.1-5
Ashdod’s reliance on Egypt and Ethiopia was useless. As a complement to his words, Isaiah walked about exposed and barefoot, a symbolic action for what God would do.
Isa.20.1
Sargon of Assyria is Sargon II (721–705 BC).
Ashdod was one of the five Philistine cities that rebelled against Assyria in 713 BC.
Isa.20.2
Prophets characteristically wore burlap or other rough clothing as a sign of mourning over the sins of the people (see 2 Kgs 1:8; Mark 1:6).
naked: That is, exposed in some way, possibly even completely nude.
Isa.20.3-4
This symbolic event took place some three years before the fall of Ashdod (see 20:2). Through it, Isaiah became an object lesson for the people (see 8:18).
Isa.20.5-6
Philistia’s downfall was a warning to the people of Judah, who also relied on Egypt and other alliances rather than on God.