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Tuesday, July 29th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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New Life Version

Isaiah 20:3

The Lord said, "My servant Isaiah has gone without clothing and shoes for three years as something special to be seen against Egypt and Cush.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Egypt;   Ethiopia;   Instruction;   Isaiah;   Minister, Christian;   Pantomime;   Symbols and Similitudes;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Prophets;   Shoes;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Cush;   Ethiopia;   Garments;   Prophets;   Sandals;   Sargon;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ethiopia;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Servant, Service;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Barefoot;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Merodach Baladan;   Philistia;   Sargon;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ashdod;   Cush;   Gestures;   Hezekiah;   Isaiah;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Prophecy, Prophets;   Sign;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Immanuel ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - No;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Egypt;   No-amon;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Assyria;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Barefoot;   Ethiopia;   Foot;   Isaiah;   Naked;   Number;   Sign;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Assyria;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Cush;   Ethiopia;   Hezekiah;   Parable;   Servant of God;   Slaves and Slavery;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
the Lord said, “As my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush,
Hebrew Names Version
The LORD said, Like as my servant Yesha`yahu has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Mitzrayim and concerning Kush;
King James Version
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;
English Standard Version
Then the Lord said, "As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush,
New American Standard Bible
Then the LORD said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and symbol against Egypt and Cush,
New Century Version
Then the Lord said, "Isaiah my servant has walked around naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Cush.
Amplified Bible
And the LORD said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has walked stripped and barefoot for three years as a sign and forewarning concerning Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia),
World English Bible
Yahweh said, Like as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia;
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the Lord said, Like as my seruant Isaiah hath walked naked, & barefoote three yeeres, as a signe and wonder vpon Egypt, and Ethiopia,
Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia,
Berean Standard Bible
Then 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,
Contemporary English Version
for three years. Then the Lord said: What Isaiah has done is a warning to Egypt and Ethiopia.
Complete Jewish Bible
In time, Adonai said, "Just as my servant Yesha‘yahu has gone about unclothed and barefoot for three years as a sign and portent against Egypt and Ethiopia,
Darby Translation
And Jehovah said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years, a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia,
Easy-to-Read Version
Then the Lord said, "My servant Isaiah has gone without clothes or sandals for three years. This is a sign for Egypt and Ethiopia.
George Lamsa Translation
And the Lord said, As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot, so shall there be signs and wonders for three years upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
Good News Translation
When Ashdod was captured, the Lord said, "My servant Isaiah has been going around naked and barefoot for three years. This is a sign of what will happen to Egypt and Ethiopia.
Lexham English Bible
Then Yahweh said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush,
Literal Translation
And Jehovah said, Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years (a sign and a wonder on Egypt and on Ethiopia)
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then sayde the LORDE: where as my seruaunt Esaye goeth naked and barefote, it is a token and signifienge of the thinge, that after thre yeare shal come vpo Egipte and Ethiopia.
American Standard Version
And Jehovah said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia;
Bible in Basic English
And the Lord said, As my servant Isaiah has gone unclothed and without shoes for three years as a sign and a wonder to Egypt and Ethiopia,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the LORD said: 'Like as My servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot to be for three years a sign and a wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia,
King James Version (1611)
And the Lord said, Like as my seruant Isaiah hath walked naked and bare foote three yeeres for a signe and wonder vpon Egypt and vpon Ethiopia:
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the Lorde sayde, Lyke as my seruaunt Esai hath walked naked and barefoote for a signe and wonder three yeres vpon Egypt and Ethiopia:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the Lord said, As my servant Esaias has walked naked and barefoot three years, there shall be three years for signs and wonders to the Egyptians and Ethiopians;
English Revised Version
And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the Lord seide, As my seruaunt Ysaie yede nakid and vnschood, a signe and greet wondur of thre yeer schal be on Egipt, and on Ethiopie;
Update Bible Version
And Yahweh said, Like my slave Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder concerning Egypt and concerning Ethiopia;
Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said, As my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years [for] a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Cush;
New English Translation
Later the Lord explained, "In the same way that my servant Isaiah has walked around in undergarments and barefoot for the past three years, as an object lesson and omen pertaining to Egypt and Cush,
New King James Version
Then the LORD said, "Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia,
New Living Translation
Then the Lord said, "My servant Isaiah has been walking around naked and barefoot for the last three years. This is a sign—a symbol of the terrible troubles I will bring upon Egypt and Ethiopia.
New Revised Standard
Then the Lord said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Ethiopia,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said Yahweh, - As my servant Isaiah, hath walked, disrobed and barefoot three years as a sign and a wonder against Egypt and against Ethiopia,
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said: As my servant Isaias hath walked, naked and barefoot, it shall be a sign and a wonder of three years upon Egypt, and upon Ethiopia,
Revised Standard Version
the LORD said, "As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Ethiopia,
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith, `As My servant Isaiah hath gone naked and barefoot three years, a sign and a wonder for Egypt and for Cush,
THE MESSAGE
Then God said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has walked around town naked and barefooted for three years as a warning sign to Egypt and Ethiopia, so the king of Assyria is going to come and take the Egyptians as captives and the Ethiopians as exiles. He'll take young and old alike and march them out of there naked and barefooted, exposed to mockery and jeers—the bared buttocks of Egypt on parade! Everyone who has put hope in Ethiopia and expected help from Egypt will be thrown into confusion. Everyone who lives along this coast will say, ‘Look at them! Naked and barefooted, shuffling off to exile! And we thought they were our best hope, that they'd rescue us from the king of Assyria. Now what's going to happen to us? How are we going to get out of this?'"
New American Standard Bible (1995)
And the LORD said, "Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and token against Egypt and Cush,

Contextual Overview

1 In the year that Sargon the king of Assyria sent his head captain to fight against Ashdod, he took it in battle. 2 At that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and take off the clothes made from hair, and take your shoes off your feet." And he did so, going without clothes and shoes. 3 The Lord said, "My servant Isaiah has gone without clothing and shoes for three years as something special to be seen against Egypt and Cush. 4 So the king of Assyria will take away the people of Egypt and Cush, young and old, without clothes or shoes. Their bodies will not be covered, to the shame of Egypt. 5 Then they will be ashamed and troubled because of Cush their hope and Egypt their pride. 6 The people living on this island will say in that day, ‘See, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped, and to whom we ran for help to be saved from the king of Assyria. Now how can we get away?'"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

three: Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:5, Ezekiel 4:6, Revelation 11:2, Revelation 11:3

a sign: Isaiah 8:18

upon Egypt: Isaiah 18:1-7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:35 - Smite me Ezekiel 4:3 - This Ezekiel 24:24 - Ezekiel Ezekiel 30:6 - They also Ezekiel 30:9 - messengers Hosea 1:2 - Go Zechariah 3:8 - for

Cross-References

Genesis 20:1
Abraham traveled from there to the land of the Negev, and made his home between Kadesh and Shur. Then he lived for a time in Gerar.
Genesis 20:7
So now return the man's wife. For he is one who speaks for Me. Then he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you and all who are yours will die for sure."
Genesis 20:12
And it is true she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not of my mother. And she became my wife.
Genesis 20:13
When God made me go from my father's house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is the kindness you must show me. Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'"
Genesis 20:14
Then Abimelech gave to Abraham sheep and cattle, and men and women servants. And he returned his wife Sarah to him.
Genesis 20:15
Abimelech said, "See, my land is in front of you. Make your home any place you want."
Genesis 28:12
And he had a dream. He saw steps going up from the earth to heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and down these steps.
Genesis 31:24
But God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night. He said to him, "Be careful that you do not speak good or bad to Jacob."
Genesis 37:5
Then Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.
Genesis 37:9
Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. He said, "I have had another dream. The sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the Lord said,.... Here follows the explanation of the sign, and the accommodation of it to the thing signified by it:

like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot; not wholly naked, for that would have been very indecent and dangerous indeed; but without his upper garment, as Saul, 1 Samuel 19:24 and David, 2 Samuel 6:14 or with rent and ragged clothes, and old shoes, as Jarchi k interprets it, and which might be only when he appeared abroad; and how long he thus walked is not certain, whether only one day, as some, or three days, as others, or three years, which is not said, though our version inclines to it; but the three years next mentioned are not to be joined to Isaiah's walking, but to the thing signified by it; for the accent "athnach" is at the word which is rendered "barefoot", and distinguishes this clause from the following. The Septuagint indeed puts the phrase "three years" into both clauses, but it only belongs to the latter:

three years [for] a sign and wonder upon Egypt, and upon Ethiopia; that is, the prophet's walking naked and barefoot was a sign that three years after this Egypt and Ethiopia should be subdued by the Assyrians; or, that so long he should be in subduing them, or their calamities should last such a term of time. This sign was only seen by the Jews, for whose sake chiefly this prophecy was, to take off their dependence on the above nations; though probably this might be made known to the Egyptians and Ethiopians.

k T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 77. 1. & Sabbat, fol. 114. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Like as - That is, as Isaiah has gone stripped of his special garment as a prophet, so shall the Egyptians and Ethiopians be stripped of all that they value, and be carried captive into Assyria.’

Hath walked ... three years - A great deal of difficulty has been felt in the interpretation of this place, from the strong improbability that Isaiah should have gone in this manner for a space of time so long as our translation expresses. The Septuagint renders this, ‘As my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years, three years shall be for signs and wonders to the Egyptians and Ethiopians.’ The phrase in the Hebrew, ‘three years,’ “may” either be taken in connection with the preceding part of the sentence, as in our translation, meaning that he actually walked so long; or it may be taken with that which follows, and then it will denote that he was a sign and wonder with reference to the captivity of the Egyptians and Ethiopians; and that by this symbolic action he in some way indicated that they would be carried away captive for that space of time; or, as Aben Ezra and Abarbanel suppose, that he signified that their captivity would commence after three years. Lowth supposes that it means that his walking was for three days, and that the Hebrew text bas been corrupted. Vitringa also seems to suppose that this is possible, and that a day was a symbolic sign for a year. Rosenmuller supposes that this prophetic action was continued during three years “at intervals,” so that the subject might be kept before the mind of the people. But the supposition that this means that the symbolic action of walking naked and barefoot continued for so long a time in any manner, is highly improbable.

(1) The Hebrew does not necessarily require it. It “may” mean simply that his actions were a sign and wonder with reference to a three years’ captivity of the Egyptians.

(2) It is in itself improbable that he should so long a time walk about Jerusalem expressly as a sign and wonder, when a much shorter period would have answered the purpose as well.

(3) Such a sign would have hardly met the circumstances of the case. Asdod was taken. The Assyrian king was advancing.

The Jews were in consternation and looking to Egypt for help; and amidst this agitation and alarm, there is the highest improbability that Isaiah would be required to remain a sign and wonder for the long space of three years, when decided action was needed, and when, unless prevented, the Jews would have formed a speedy alliance with the Egyptians. I suppose, therefore, that the entire sense of the phrase will be expressed by translating it, ‘my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot, “a three years’ sign and wonder;’” that is, a sign and indication that “a three years’ calamity” would come upon Egypt and Ethiopia. Whether this means that the calamity would “commence” in three years from that time, or that it should “continue” three years, perhaps we cannot determine. Grotius thinks that it means that it would occur “after” three years; that is, that the war between the Assyrians and Ethiopians would continue during that time only. In what manner Isaiah indicated this, is not certainly known. The conjecture of Lowth is not improbable, that it was by appearing three “days” naked and barefoot, and that each day denoted a year. Or it may have been that he appeared in this manner for a short period - though but once - and “declared” that this was the design or purport of the action.

Upon Egypt ... - With reference to; or as a sign in regard to Egypt. It does not mean that he was in Egypt, but that his action “had reference” to Egypt.

And Ethiopia - Hebrew, כושׁ kûsh - (see the note at Isaiah 11:11). Whether this denotes the African Cush or Ethiopia, or whether it refers to the “Cush” in Arabia, cannot be determined. The latter is the more probable supposition, as it is scarcely probable that the Assyrian would extend his conquests south of Egypt so as to subdue the African Ethiopia. Probably his conquest embraced the “Cush” that was situated in the southern regions of Arabia.


 
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