Isaiah 20

1 Before the year [a period of time, a cycle of seasons] that the chief commander [a high-ranking military officer, a general], sent by Sargon [a powerful Assyrian king] king of Assyria [the land of the Assyrians, a major ancient empire], came to Ashdod [a powerful Philistine city, a major stronghold] and attacked [fought against, waged war] and captured [seized control, took possession] it, word study 2 the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] had already spoken [through divine revelation, communicated] through Isaiah [Jeshaiah, meaning’Jehovah has saved’] son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove [loosen, take off] the sackcloth [coarse cloth] from your waist [loins, the area of the body] and the sandals [shoes] from your feet [the lowest part of the body].” And Isaiah did so, walking [going, proceeding] around naked [without clothes, exposed] and barefoot [without shoes, humble]. word study 3 Then the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] said, “Just as My servant [one who serves and obeys] Isaiah [Jehovah has saved] has gone [walked, proceeded] naked [unclothed, without covering] and barefoot [unsandaled, humble] for three [a period of testing and completion] years as a sign [a miraculous token, a beacon] and omen [a wonder, a warning] against Egypt [the land of the Egyptians] and Cush [Ethiopia, a land of diversity], word study 4 so the king [ruler, monarch] of Assyria [Asshur, a powerful nation] will lead away [take captive, deport] the captives [prisoners, exiles] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa] and the exiles [refugees, those forced out] of Cush [Ethiopia, the region south of Egypt], young [youth, from infancy to adolescence] and old [elderly, aged] alike, naked [without clothes, exposed] and barefoot [unsandaled, humble], with bared [uncovered, exposed] buttocks [the seat of the body]—to Egypt’s [the nation’s] shame [humiliation, disgrace]. word study 5 Those who made [trusted in, had confidence in] Cush [Ethiopia, the region south of Egypt] their hope [expectation, thing hoped for] and Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa] their boast [glory, beautiful thing] will be [become, come to be] dismayed [completely broken, affrighted] and ashamed [feeling guilt, disappointed]. word study 6 And on that day [in the future, at that specific time] the dwellers [inhabitants, residents] of this coastland [isle, island, or dry land] will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope [expectation, trust], those to whom we fled [ran, escaped] for help [aid, assistance] and deliverance [rescue, salvation] from the king [ruler, monarch] of Assyria [Asshur, the Assyrian empire]! How [in what way, by what means] then can we escape [be delivered, slip away]?’” word study