Isaiah 20 1

Isaiah 20:1 kjv

In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;

Isaiah 20:1 nkjv

In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it,

Isaiah 20:1 niv

In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it?

Isaiah 20:1 esv

In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it ?

Isaiah 20:1 nlt

In the year when King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander in chief to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod,

Isaiah 20 verses

Isaiah 20 1 Meaning

Isaiah 20:1 proclaims that in a specific year, the Lord spoke through Isaiah to foretell the conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia by the Assyrians. This divine message outlines a future judgment upon these nations.

Isaiah 20 1 Context

This chapter, Isaiah 20, functions as an oracle against Egypt and Ethiopia (Kush). It follows a series of judgments against surrounding nations and impending doom for Judah. The prophecy is specifically tied to a historical event: the Assyrian king's envoy (Tartan) being sent to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod. This suggests the prophecy is a response to or a consequence of Assyrian military movements in the region around 713-711 BCE, during the reign of Hezekiah in Judah. The focus on Egypt and Ethiopia indicates their involvement or reliance on them, or a warning against trusting in these powerful, yet ultimately vulnerable, nations. The symbolic action described in later verses highlights God's sovereignty over earthly powers and the ultimate futility of relying on military might or political alliances apart from Him.

Isaiah 20 1 Word analysis

• "In the year": Marks the temporal setting for the prophetic event, grounding it in history.

• "that Tartan": Refers to the title of the Assyrian commander-in-chief, not a personal name.

• "came unto Ashdod": Identifies the location of this military action by the Assyrians, a Philistine city, indicating their encroachment into the region bordering Judah and Egypt.

• "and fought against Ashdod": Specifies the hostile action taken by the Assyrian forces, demonstrating their intent to subdue this Philistine stronghold.

• "and took it": Declares the successful outcome of the Assyrian siege and battle, emphasizing the power of Assyria at that time.

• "and": Connects the initial event with the divine command that followed.

• "at the same time": Establishes a temporal link between the historical event and the prophetic word, suggesting the oracle was given concurrently with or immediately after the fall of Ashdod.

• "the LORD spoke": Indicates direct divine communication to the prophet Isaiah.

• "by the hand of Isaiah": Specifies that Isaiah is the human agent through whom God delivers this message.

• "the son of": Standard patriarchal naming convention.

• "Amoz": The father of Isaiah the prophet.

• "saying": Introduces the content of God's message.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, and fought against Ashdod, and took it": This phrase sets the historical backdrop, linking the prophecy to a specific military campaign by the Assyrian army under their chief commander. It establishes Assyria's military prowess and their expansionist agenda.
  • "and at the same time the LORD spoke by the hand of Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying": This highlights the divine origin and authoritative delivery of the prophecy. God's word is given in response to, or in conjunction with, earthly political and military events.

Isaiah 20 1 Bonus section

The fall of Ashdod to Assyria around 711 BCE is a historically verifiable event. Sargon II of Assyria recorded this conquest, which corroborates the dating and context of Isaiah's prophecy. The oracle not only predicts military defeat but also symbolic nakedness and disgrace, indicating a loss of status and power. The prophet Isaiah himself became a living symbol of this prophecy, walking naked and barefoot for three years, representing the future state of the defeated Egyptians and Ethiopians. This deeply symbolic act powerfully conveyed God's message of judgment. This chapter's theme of divine judgment on nations that oppose God or are trusted in place of God is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament. It teaches that true security is found in obedience to God, not in human power or alliances.

Isaiah 20 1 Commentary

The year of Tartan's attack on Ashdod marks a critical juncture. Ashdod's capture signifies Assyria's growing power and its threat to the entire region, including Judah, Egypt, and Ethiopia. God uses this Assyrian triumph as the context for a profound lesson delivered through Isaiah. The oracle reveals that despite Assyria's might, Egypt and Ethiopia would ultimately be defeated and humiliated by Assyria. This serves as a stern warning to Judah not to place its trust in these regional powers for protection. The futility of relying on chariots and horsemen, or any human strength, is underscored by the impending fall of even the most formidable nations. This prophecy emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and His power to bring low the proudest earthly kingdoms. For the contemporary audience, this meant looking to Yahweh alone, not to foreign alliances or military strength.