◄ Isaiah 20:4 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
New International Version
so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared—to Egypt’s shame.

New Living Translation
For the king of Assyria will take away the Egyptians and Ethiopians as prisoners. He will make them walk naked and barefoot, both young and old, their buttocks bared, to the shame of Egypt.

English Standard Version
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

New American Standard Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

NASB 1995
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

NASB 1977
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Legacy Standard Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Amplified Bible
in the same way the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, young and old, stripped and barefoot, even with buttocks uncovered—to the shame of Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, stripped and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

American Standard Version
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the captives of Egypt, and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
Everyone in these two countries will be led away naked and barefoot by the king of Assyria. Young or old, they will be taken prisoner, and Egypt will be disgraced.

English Revised Version
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the captives of Egypt, and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king of Assyria will lead away both the young and the old-captives from Egypt and exiles from Sudan. They will be barefoot and naked. Their buttocks will be exposed in order to disgrace Egypt.

Good News Translation
The emperor of Assyria will lead away naked the prisoners he captures from those two countries. Young and old, they will walk barefoot and naked, with their buttocks exposed, bringing shame on Egypt.

International Standard Version
so the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptian captives and exiles from Cush, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot—with even their buttocks uncovered—to the shame of Egypt.

Majority Standard Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

NET Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, both young and old. They will be in undergarments and barefoot, with the buttocks exposed; the Egyptians will be publicly humiliated.

New Heart English Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Cushites captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their hind-parts uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

World English Bible
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so the king of Asshur leads the captivity of Egypt, and the expulsion of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot, with seat uncovered—the nakedness of Egypt;

Young's Literal Translation
so doth the king of Asshur lead the captivity of Egypt, and the removal of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot, with seat uncovered -- the nakedness of Egypt;

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus shall the king of Assur lead the captivity of Egypt, and the exile of Cush, boys and old men naked and barefoot, and buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So shall the king of the Assyrians lead away the prisoners of Egypt, and the captivity of Ethiopia, young and old. naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered to the shame of Egypt.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so also will the king of the Assyrians force the captivity of Egypt, and the transmigration of Ethiopia: young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

New American Bible
so shall the king of Assyria lead away captives from Egypt, and exiles from Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the shame of Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as captives and the Ethiopians as exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In this way the King of Assyria will lead the captivity of Egypt and the captives of Kush, the young men and the old men, naked and barefoot, and the nakedness of Egypt shall be revealed
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
so shall the king of Assyria lead away the captives of Egypt, and the exiles of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, and with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for thus shall the king of the Assyrians lead the captivity of Egypt and the Ethiopians, young men and old, naked and barefoot, having the shame of Egypt exposed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Sign Against Egypt and Cush
…3Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, 4so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks— to Egypt’s shame. 5Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.…
Berean Standard Bible · Download


Cross References
2 Kings 18:13-16
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. / So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me, and I will pay whatever you demand from me.” And the king of Assyria exacted from Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. / Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. ...

2 Kings 19:9
Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

2 Kings 24:10-16
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. / And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. / Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. ...

Jeremiah 46:2
concerning Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah:

Ezekiel 29:18-20
“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to labor strenuously against Tyre. Every head was made bald and every shoulder made raw. But he and his army received no wages from Tyre for the labor they expended on it. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army. / I have given him the land of Egypt as the reward for his labor, because it was done for Me, declares the Lord GOD.

Nahum 3:10
Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her dignitaries, and all her nobles were bound in chains.

2 Chronicles 36:6-7
Then Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jehoiakim and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon. / Nebuchadnezzar also took to Babylon some of the articles from the house of the LORD, and he put them in his temple in Babylon.

Jeremiah 25:19
Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officials, his leaders, and all his people;

Jeremiah 43:11
He will come and strike down the land of Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword.

Ezekiel 30:4-5
A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down. / Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword.

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 21:24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Acts 7:43
You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Revelation 11:2
But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.

Revelation 17:16
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

shall

Isaiah 19:4
And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 46:26
And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 30:18
At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

Egyptians.

Isaiah 3:17
Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

2 Samuel 10:4
Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

Jeremiah 13:22,26
And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare…

shame.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Jump to Previous
Asshur Assyria Backs Bared Barefoot Buttocks Captives Captivity Cush Cushite Cushites Egypt Egyptian Egyptians Ethiopia Ethiopians Exiles Forced Lead Naked Nakedness Prisoners Removal Seat Shame Shoes Stripped Unclothed Uncovered Young
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Asshur Assyria Backs Bared Barefoot Buttocks Captives Captivity Cush Cushite Cushites Egypt Egyptian Egyptians Ethiopia Ethiopians Exiles Forced Lead Naked Nakedness Prisoners Removal Seat Shame Shoes Stripped Unclothed Uncovered Young
Isaiah 20
1. A type prefiguring the shameful captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia.














Berean Study Bible
so the king of Assyria
The phrase refers to the Assyrian monarch, a powerful ruler during the time of Isaiah. Historically, Assyria was a dominant empire known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. The Hebrew root for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek) signifies a sovereign authority, emphasizing the Assyrian king's control and influence. This context highlights the geopolitical dynamics of the ancient Near East, where Assyria was a formidable force, often used by God as an instrument of judgment against nations, including Israel and its neighbors.

will lead away the captives
This phrase indicates the forced relocation of people, a common practice in ancient conquests. The Hebrew verb "lead away" (יָלַךְ, yalak) conveys movement, often with a sense of compulsion or exile. Captivity was a tool for subjugation and assimilation, stripping the conquered of their identity and autonomy. This reflects the broader biblical theme of exile as both a physical and spiritual condition, often resulting from disobedience to God.

of Egypt and the exiles of Cush
Egypt and Cush (modern-day Sudan) were significant African powers, often allied against Assyrian aggression. The mention of these nations underscores the reach of Assyrian dominance. Historically, Egypt was a symbol of worldly power and idolatry, frequently at odds with Israel. Cush, known for its warriors, represents the farthest reaches of the known world, emphasizing the totality of Assyrian conquest. This serves as a reminder of the futility of relying on human alliances instead of trusting in God.

young and old alike
This phrase highlights the indiscriminate nature of the Assyrian conquest. The Hebrew words for "young" (נַעַר, na'ar) and "old" (זָקֵן, zaqen) encompass all ages, indicating that no one was spared from the humiliation of captivity. This reflects the comprehensive nature of divine judgment, where all are accountable, and the consequences of sin affect entire communities.

naked and barefoot
The imagery of being "naked and barefoot" signifies utter humiliation and vulnerability. In the ancient Near East, clothing was a sign of dignity and status. The Hebrew word for "naked" (עָרוֹם, arom) implies exposure and shame. This condition symbolizes the stripping away of pride and self-reliance, a common biblical motif where God humbles the proud to bring about repentance and reliance on Him.

with bared buttocks
This phrase intensifies the shame and disgrace experienced by the captives. In ancient cultures, exposing one's buttocks was a profound humiliation, often used to mock and degrade. The Hebrew context suggests a complete loss of honor and respect. This serves as a stark warning against arrogance and the consequences of turning away from God.

to the shame of Egypt
The ultimate purpose of this humiliation is to bring "shame" upon Egypt, a nation often seen as a symbol of human pride and opposition to God. The Hebrew word for "shame" (בּוּשׁ, bush) conveys disgrace and confusion. This prophetic declaration serves as a reminder that all earthly powers are subject to God's sovereign will, and those who oppose Him will ultimately face dishonor. It calls believers to place their trust in God alone, who is the true source of strength and deliverance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(4) So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians . . .--The prediction did not receive its fulfilment in the reign either of Sargon or Sennacherib, but Esarhaddon subdued the whole of Egypt, carried off its treasures, and appointed satraps over its provinces (Budge's Esarhaddon, pp. 111-129). The prophet paints the brutality with which prisoners were treated on a march in vivid colours. What would men say of their boasted policy of an Egypto-Cushite alliance when they saw that as its disastrous issue? It may be noted that Rabshakeh's scornful phrase, "This bruised reed," seems to imply that Assyria had ceased to fear the power of Egypt; and Nahum (Nahum 3:8) speaks of No (i.e., No-Amun or Thebes) as having, when he wrote, been conquered, and his people carried into captivity.

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 4. - So shall the King of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives. In Sennacherib's annals for the year B.C. 701, twelve years after this prophecy was given, we find the following passage: "The kings of Egypt, and the archers, chariots, and horsemen of the King of Meroe, a force without number, gathered and came to the aid of Ekron. In the neighborhood of Eltekeh their ranks were arrayed before me, and they urged on their soldiers. In the service of Asshur, my lord, I fought with them, and I accomplished their overthrow. The charioteers and sons of the kings of Egypt, and the charioteers of the King of Meres, alive in the midst of the battle, my hand captured" (G. Smith, 'Eponym Canon,' pp. 133, 134). Young and old. The intermixture of young and old, of full-grown males with women leading children by the hand or carrying them upon the shoulder, in the Assyrian sculptures, strikes us even on the most cursory inspection of them. Naked and barefoot. Assyrian captives are ordinarily represented "barefoot." Most commonly they wear a single tunic, reaching from the neck to the knees, or sometimes to the ankles, and girt about the waist with a girdle. It is probable that Egyptian and Ethiopian prisoners would be even more scantily clad, since the ordinary Egyptian tunic began at the waist and ended considerably above the knee.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
so
כֵּ֣ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Assyria
אַ֠שּׁוּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

will lead away
יִנְהַ֣ג (yin·haḡ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

the captives
שְׁבִ֨י (šə·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7628: Exiled, captured, exile, booty

of Egypt
מִצְרַ֜יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and the exiles
גָּל֥וּת (gā·lūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1546: Captivity, exiles

of Cush,
כּ֛וּשׁ (kūš)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3568: A son of Ham, also his descendants, also a land in the southern Nile Valley

young
נְעָרִ֥ים (nə·‘ā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and old alike,
וּזְקֵנִ֖ים (ū·zə·qê·nîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2205: Old

naked
עָר֣וֹם (‘ā·rō·wm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6174: Nude, either partially, totally

and barefoot,
וְיָחֵ֑ף (wə·yā·ḥêp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3182: Unsandalled

with bared
וַחֲשׂוּפַ֥י (wa·ḥă·śū·p̄ay)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2834: To strip off, to make naked, to drain away, bail up

buttocks—
שֵׁ֖ת (šêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8357: The seat

to Egypt’s
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

shame.
עֶרְוַ֥ת (‘er·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6172: Nakedness


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 20:4 So the king of Assyria will lead (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 20:3
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