Isaiah 20 6

Isaiah 20:6 kjv

And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

Isaiah 20:6 nkjv

And the inhabitant of this territory will say in that day, 'Surely such is our expectation, wherever we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria; and how shall we escape?' "

Isaiah 20:6 niv

In that day the people who live on this coast will say, 'See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?'?"

Isaiah 20:6 esv

And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, 'Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape?'"

Isaiah 20:6 nlt

They will say, 'If this can happen to Egypt, what chance do we have? We were counting on Egypt to protect us from the king of Assyria.'"

Isaiah 20 verses

Isaiah 20 6 meaning

This verse captures the despair and utter hopelessness of those who had relied on Egypt and Cush for protection against the formidable Assyrian empire. It records their lamentable question, expressing their realization that the very nations they fled to for aid have themselves been overcome and led into captivity, stripped and disgraced. Their misplaced confidence (expectation) in human alliances has crumbled, leaving them with no remaining recourse or path to escape Assyrian dominance. It is a moment of profound recognition of the futility of trusting in earthly powers over the divine.

Isaiah 20 6 Context

Isaiah chapter 20 presents a striking prophetic sign regarding the impending judgment on Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia) by the Assyrian empire. To convey this message, God commanded Isaiah to walk naked and barefoot for three years. This humiliating act was a living parable, signifying the future condition of Egyptian and Cushite captives, who would be led away by the Assyrians, stripped and shamed. The immediate historical context is the height of Assyrian power, specifically around 711 BC, when Sargon II captured Ashdod, a Philistine city, during his campaign. The nations bordering Judah, particularly the Philistines ("this isle" or coastland), often looked to Egypt and Cush for alliances to resist Assyrian expansion. Verse 6 is the culminating reaction of these coastal dwellers or regions after witnessing the utter defeat and degradation of their trusted allies, Egypt and Cush. It illustrates the profound strategic and psychological impact of Assyria's victory, shattering any remaining hope for the smaller nations caught between these great powers. The primary polemic is against human reliance and trust in alliances with foreign nations, contrasting with the faithful reliance upon the Lord.

Isaiah 20 6 Word analysis

• And the inhabitant (וְאָמַר יֹושֵׁב, v'amar yoshev):
  • `יֹושֵׁב (yoshev)`: "dweller, inhabitant." Signifies the ordinary people living in a particular area, often reflecting their common perspective and sentiments.
  • It's the voice of those directly impacted, reflecting the shared consternation of the common populace rather than just kings or leaders.
• of this isle (הָאִי הַזֶּה, ha'i hazzeh):
  • `הָאִי (ha'i)`: "the isle, the coastland, the region." While sometimes referring literally to islands, in prophetic and geographical contexts, it often means maritime coastlands. Here, it likely refers to the Philistine cities or coastal areas adjacent to Judah, which bordered Egypt and were frequently caught in geopolitical struggles.
  • These regions often served as buffers or battlegrounds between major powers, directly experiencing the impact of these conflicts.
  • Their strategic location meant they actively sought alliances to survive.
• shall say in that day (בַּיֹּום הַהוּא, bayyom hahu):
  • A crucial prophetic phrase ("in that day," "on that day"). It points to a specific future time of divine intervention, judgment, or fulfillment of prophecy.
  • It signals a moment of significant crisis and a profound shift in perception and reality, often marking a decisive turn of events dictated by God.
• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh):
  • An interjection commanding attention, similar to "Look!" or "Indeed!" It highlights the dramatic nature of the ensuing statement.
• such is our expectation (כָּכָה מִבְטַחֵנוּ, khakhah mivṭaḥenu):
  • `מִבְטַחֵנוּ (mivṭaḥenu)`: "our confidence, our trust, our security, our expectation, our refuge." This is the core term, denoting the object of their reliance and hope.
  • The `כָּכָה (khakhah)` ("such, in this manner") points to the state of shame and nakedness previously described for Egypt/Cush, implying their "expectation" ended in utter humiliation. Their hope has turned into a spectacle of disgrace.
• whither we flee for help (אֲשֶׁר נַסְנוּ שָׁם לְעֶזְרָה, asher nassnu sham l'ezrah):
  • `נַסְנוּ (nassnu)`: "we fled." Implies active movement, seeking refuge, showing the desperateness of their strategic choice.
  • `לְעֶזְרָה (l'ezrah)`: "for help, for aid." Explicitly states the purpose of their flight – they sought a protector.
  • This phrase concretely identifies Egypt and Cush as the specific, tangible source of their confidence against Assyria.
• to be delivered (לְהִנָּצֵל, l'hinnatẓel):
  • "to be saved, to escape, to be delivered." It expresses their goal: security from an overwhelming threat. This further underlines the dire situation they faced.
• from the king of Assyria (מִפְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר, mippney melekh Ashur):
  • `מֶלֶךְ אַשּׁוּר (melekh Ashur)`: The King of Assyria, the primary antagonist and imperial superpower of the time, known for brutal conquests and devastating campaigns.
  • This clearly states the origin of their fear and the specific enemy they sought deliverance from. Assyria represents the overwhelming human force.
• and how shall we escape? (וְאֵיךְ נִמָּלֵט אֲנַחְנוּ, v'eikh nimmaḷeṭ anaḥnu):
  • `וְאֵיךְ (v'eikh)`: "and how?" Introduces a rhetorical question.
  • `נִמָּלֵט (nimmaḷeṭ)`: "shall we escape, shall we be delivered?" This verb reiterates the concept of finding a way out of danger.
  • The question is one of profound despair, implying that no escape is possible. Their last hope has been destroyed. The addition of `אֲנַחְנוּ (anaḥnu)` "we" emphasizes their collective and personal plight.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day: This grouping sets the scene for the lament, identifying the speaker (coastal dwellers, likely Philistines) and the specific, divinely ordained time ("that day") when this profound realization will occur. It highlights a common, localized reaction to a larger geopolitical and theological truth.
• Behold, such is our expectation: This is a direct lament. "Behold" signifies the shock and shame. "Such" refers to the prior imagery of Egypt and Cush's naked captivity (Isaiah 20:4), demonstrating that their "expectation" (mivṭaḥenu – trust, confidence, security) has met the very fate it was supposed to avert. It encapsulates the bitter disappointment and the shattering of their hopes.
• whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: This segment explicitly clarifies who their false trust was placed in (Egypt/Cush) and why (to escape Assyria). It highlights the strategic desperation that led them to misplaced reliance. The act of "fleeing for help" underscores the gravity of the Assyrian threat and the concrete measures taken to seek an alternative solution.
• and how shall we escape?: This rhetorical question culminates the lament in utter despair. With Egypt and Cush, their trusted allies, defeated and humiliated, the inhabitants of the coastlands realize they have no other options for escape or deliverance from the inexorable advance of the Assyrian empire. It conveys the complete absence of hope and the finality of their predicament.

Isaiah 20 6 Bonus section

The "isle" or "coastland" (Hebrew 'i) could potentially also carry a double meaning, sometimes referring to regions further afield or gentile nations in a broader prophetic sense, thus expanding the scope of those whose misplaced trust would lead to despair. However, in this immediate context, it's firmly fixed on the Philistine regions. The emotional tone of the verse is one of lament, despair, and an agonizing realization of being trapped without an exit. It serves as a stark contrast to the hope and refuge offered by Yahweh for those who genuinely trust Him, often articulated elsewhere in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 26:3-4, 30:15). The passage illustrates God's sovereign control over even pagan nations, using Assyria as "the rod of His anger" (Isa 10:5) to execute His judgments, revealing the futility of opposing His divine will with human strategies.

Isaiah 20 6 Commentary

Isaiah 20:6 serves as the profound, lamenting conclusion to Isaiah's symbolic three-year prophecy concerning the fate of Egypt and Cush. The verse crystallizes the desolation experienced by those smaller nations, particularly the Philistines and other coast dwellers ("this isle"), who had strategically allied with or looked to Egypt and Cush for protection against the dominant Assyrian empire. When Egypt and Cush are humiliated and led away as captives—stripped and disgraced, as Isaiah visually demonstrated—the people who trusted in them are left without hope. Their "expectation" or confidence (Hebrew: mivṭaḥ) in human alliances proved futile, ending in shame and leaving them with the agonizing question: "how shall we escape?" This rhetorical question highlights the utter vacuum of their failed strategy, emphasizing that human efforts and worldly alliances offer no lasting security against a divine decree. It powerfully underscores the biblical theme of placing trust in God alone, as any alternative leads inevitably to disappointment and despair in the face of insurmountable challenges.