Isaiah 20 5

Isaiah 20:5 kjv

And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Isaiah 20:5 nkjv

Then they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation and Egypt their glory.

Isaiah 20:5 niv

Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be dismayed and put to shame.

Isaiah 20:5 esv

Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast.

Isaiah 20:5 nlt

Then the Philistines will be thrown into panic, for they counted on the power of Ethiopia and boasted of their allies in Egypt!

Isaiah 20 verses

Isaiah 20 5 meaning

Isaiah 20:5 prophesies a coming disappointment and shame for those who placed their hope in Cush (Ethiopia) and Egypt. These nations, seen as strong protectors and sources of national pride, would fail to deliver help, leaving their allies disillusioned and disgraced before their formidable Assyrian oppressor. It highlights the futility of relying on human power rather than the sovereign God of Israel.

Isaiah 20 5 Context

Isaiah chapter 20 takes place during the reign of King Hezekiah in Judah (713-711 BC, following the Assyrian invasion of Ashdod). The immediate backdrop is Assyria's relentless expansion under Sargon II, who conquers Ashdod, a Philistine city, around 711 BC. Many smaller nations, including Judah, were tempted to form a coalition with Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia) against the mighty Assyrian empire.

The prophecy is framed by a highly dramatic symbolic act by Isaiah himself: commanded by God, he walks naked and barefoot for three years. This was to graphically illustrate the shame and humiliation that Cush and Egypt, often depicted as formidable allies, would endure when conquered and led away captive by Assyria. The very nations Judah was looking to for liberation would themselves become prisoners, naked and ashamed. Verse 5, therefore, captures the exact emotional consequence for Judah when this false hope inevitably collapses: dismay and shame because their anticipated saviors failed them, exposing their misguided trust.

Isaiah 20 5 Word analysis

• And they shall be dismayed

  • dismayed (חָפְרוּ - chāphērû): The root chāphēr signifies "to be ashamed," "to be put to shame," "to be confused," or "disappointed." It often carries the sense of withdrawing in confusion or shame because one's expectations have been dashed, particularly in a public or humiliating manner. It's a strong word for psychological and public humiliation due to a failed enterprise.

• and ashamed

  • ashamed (בּוֹשׁוּ - bōšû): The root bôsh means "to be ashamed," "to be put to shame," "to be confounded," or "disgraced." It often describes the physical reaction of blushing, indicating acute embarrassment or disgrace. Paired with chāphēr, it intensifies the emotional impact, portraying a profound and public humiliation where their perceived strength or hope has collapsed. The two words often appear together in prophetic texts to emphasize utter failure.

• because of Cush their expectation

  • Cush (כּוּשׁ - Kûš): Refers to ancient Nubia or Ethiopia, south of Egypt. At this time, Egypt was ruled by the 25th Dynasty, which was Nubian/Kushite. It was seen as a powerful and formidable ally, a source of potential military relief.
  • expectation (תִּקְוָה - tiqvāh): Means "hope," "expectation," or "cord/line." It denotes what one looks forward to, a source of trust or security. The image of a "cord" can symbolize something one holds onto for life or rescue. Here, Cush represents this life-line or anchor for Judah, highlighting the human reliance placed upon it.

• and of Egypt their glory.

  • Egypt (מִצְרָיִם - Miṣrāyim): The ancient kingdom along the Nile, historically a dominant power and frequent (though unreliable) ally/antagonist to Israel.
  • glory (תִּפְאֶרֶת - tiph'ereth): Signifies "glory," "splendor," "beauty," "honor," or "pride." Egypt's long history, architectural marvels, wealth, and military strength were a source of international prestige. For nations looking to Egypt for help, its 'glory' represented a powerful deterrent to Assyria and a symbol of national pride through alliance.

• "dismayed and ashamed": This pairing emphasizes profound psychological and public humiliation. It indicates not merely a simple disappointment but a crushing, disgracing failure where one's misplaced trust becomes evident to all. It reflects the prophet's repeated theme that trusting in human power leads to such ignominy.

• "Cush their expectation and Egypt their glory": This phrase highlights the two pillars of Judah's misplaced trust. Cush was the source of practical "hope" for military intervention, while Egypt provided "glory" through its reputation and prestige, making the alliance seem respectable and powerful. Both aspects, practical help and symbolic strength, would ultimately fail, demonstrating that worldly hopes and glories are ephemeral.

Isaiah 20 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew word tiqvāh (expectation/hope) can also refer to a physical cord or rope. This nuance subtly suggests that these nations, like a broken rope, would offer no support or lifeline, leaving those clinging to them to fall into distress. This highlights the complete collapse of their support system. The repeated prophetic denunciations of alliances with Egypt (found also in Isaiah 30-31 and Jeremiah) underline a consistent divine disapproval. Such alliances represented not just pragmatic political choices but a lack of faith in Yahweh's ability or willingness to protect His people, bordering on a form of spiritual apostasy by trusting in other "gods" of military might.

Isaiah 20 5 Commentary

Isaiah 20:5 encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: human alliances, no matter how powerful they appear, are ultimately unreliable when God's will is disregarded. Judah, like other small nations, was tempted to view Cush and Egypt as their saviors against Assyrian aggression, investing their "expectation" and "glory" in these worldly powers. However, Isaiah's stark prophecy, dramatized by his symbolic act, asserts that these nations themselves would be led away captive, rendering their allies utterly dismayed and ashamed. This isn't just about failed politics; it's a theological statement that any hope or source of pride rooted in human might or worldly security is destined for disappointment. The passage serves as a perpetual warning against spiritual idolatry, where the comfort or prestige of worldly connections supplants trust in the living God. The shame arises not merely from a failed strategy but from turning away from the only true deliverer.