Isaiah 20:2

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

בָּעֵ֣ת At the same time H6256
בָּעֵ֣ת At the same time
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 1 of 23
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֗יא H1931
הַהִ֗יא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 2 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
דִּבֶּ֣ר spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 3 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָה֮ the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֮ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּיַ֣ד by H3027
בְּיַ֣ד by
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 5 of 23
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ Isaiah H3470
יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ Isaiah
Strong's: H3470
Word #: 6 of 23
jeshajah, the name of seven israelites
בֶן the son H1121
בֶן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 7 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָמוֹץ֮ of Amoz H531
אָמוֹץ֮ of Amoz
Strong's: H531
Word #: 8 of 23
amots, an israelite
לֵאמֹר֒ saying H559
לֵאמֹר֒ saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 9 of 23
to say (used with great latitude)
הָלֹ֖ךְ walking H1980
הָלֹ֖ךְ walking
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 10 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤ and loose H6605
וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤ and loose
Strong's: H6605
Word #: 11 of 23
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
הַשַּׂק֙ the sackcloth H8242
הַשַּׂק֙ the sackcloth
Strong's: H8242
Word #: 12 of 23
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
מֵעַ֣ל H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָתְנֶ֔יךָ from off thy loins H4975
מָתְנֶ֔יךָ from off thy loins
Strong's: H4975
Word #: 14 of 23
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וְנַעַלְךָ֥ thy shoe H5275
וְנַעַלְךָ֥ thy shoe
Strong's: H5275
Word #: 15 of 23
properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
תַחֲלֹ֖ץ and put off H2502
תַחֲלֹ֖ץ and put off
Strong's: H2502
Word #: 16 of 23
to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen
מֵעַ֣ל H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 17 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלֶ֑ךָ from thy foot H7272
רַגְלֶ֑ךָ from thy foot
Strong's: H7272
Word #: 18 of 23
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ And he did so H6213
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ And he did so
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 19 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵּ֔ן H3651
כֵּ֔ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 20 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הָלֹ֖ךְ walking H1980
הָלֹ֖ךְ walking
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 21 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עָר֥וֹם naked H6174
עָר֥וֹם naked
Strong's: H6174
Word #: 22 of 23
nude, either partially or totally
וְיָחֵֽף׃ and barefoot H3182
וְיָחֵֽף׃ and barefoot
Strong's: H3182
Word #: 23 of 23
unsandalled

Analysis & Commentary

'At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.' God commands shocking sign-act: Isaiah walks naked (likely meaning stripped to loincloth, not fully nude) and barefoot. Prophets performed symbolic acts to communicate divine messages (Jeremiah's yoke, Ezekiel's siege model). This dramatic action captured attention and embodied coming judgment. 'Naked and barefoot' represented prisoners of war stripped and humiliated during deportation—exactly what would happen to Egyptians and Ethiopians. The phrase 'he did so' emphasizes Isaiah's obedience despite personal cost—prophetic ministry required personal sacrifice for faithful message delivery. Reformed ministry theology emphasizes faithfulness to divine call regardless of personal discomfort or reputational cost.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare routinely humiliated captives by stripping clothing and forcing barefoot marching to deportation sites—depicted in Assyrian palace reliefs showing naked bound captives. This wasn't unique cruelty but standard practice to degrade enemies and discourage resistance. Isaiah embodying this condition for three years would have been extremely provocative—religious teacher walking around Jerusalem nearly naked, subject to mockery and misunderstanding. This demonstrates prophetic courage—willingness to appear foolish for faithful message delivery. The sign-act communicated viscerally what verbal prophecy might not: the horrific reality awaiting those who trusted Egypt. Such radical obedience characterized true prophets versus comfortable false prophets promising easy messages.

Questions for Reflection

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