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.

ISAIAH 20:4KJV
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Isaiah 20:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 20:4 mean?

Isaiah 20:4 describes how the king of Assyria will take Egyptians and Ethiopians as prisoners and captives, forcing both young and old to walk away naked and barefoot, with their buttocks exposed, bringing shame to Egypt. This verse paints a vivid picture of defeat and humiliation for these nations at the hands of Assyria.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them not to rely on Egypt or Ethiopia for help against Assyria. The verse uses the image of public humiliation—being led away without clothing—to show the total defeat and disgrace that will come to Egypt and Ethiopia when Assyria conquers them. This is meant to show Judah that trusting in these nations for protection is futile.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 20:4

  • "Naked" (עָרוֹם, ʿarom) and "barefoot" (יָחֵף, yaḥef) both stress the utter vulnerability and shame of the captives. In ancient times, being stripped in this way was a sign of total defeat and humiliation.
  • "Buttocks" (שֵׁת, shet) and "uncovered" (חָשַׂף, ḥasaf) make clear that the exposure is not just partial but deeply shameful, emphasizing the disgrace brought upon Egypt.
  • "Shame" (עֶרְוָה, ʿervah) highlights that the main point is not just physical suffering, but public dishonor—a fate considered especially terrible in that culture.

Why Isaiah 20:4 matters

  • Isaiah 20:4 clears up the idea that Egypt and Ethiopia were strong, reliable allies; instead, it shows they too would fall to Assyria and be utterly shamed.
  • The verse emphasizes the completeness of Assyria’s victory, not just in military terms but in stripping away all dignity from their captives.
  • This warning fits into Isaiah’s larger message urging Judah to trust in God rather than foreign powers, showing that human alliances can lead to disappointment and disgrace.

Where else these words appear

“buttocks” Hebrew H8357 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“barefoot” Hebrew H3182 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
  • Isaiah 20:2 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.
  • Isaiah 20:3 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;

“uncovered” Hebrew H2834 · used in 10 verses

  • Psalms 29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
  • Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
  • Ezekiel 4:7 Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered, and thou shalt prophesy against it.

“captives” Hebrew H1546 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:27 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
  • Jeremiah 29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
  • Ezekiel 33:21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.