1No ano em que o general enviado por Sargom, rei da Assíria, veio a Asdode, guerreou contra Asdode, e a tomou,
2Naquele tempo o SENHOR falou por meio de Isaías, filho de Amoz, dizendo: Vai, tira a roupa de saco de teus lombos, e descalça a sandália de teus pés.E assim ele fez, andando nu e descalço.
3Então o SENHOR disse: Assim como meu servo Isaías anda nu e descalço, [como] sinal e presságio relativo ao Egito e a Cuxe,
4assim o rei da Assíria levará em cativeiro a prisioneiros do Egito e a prisioneiros de Cuxe, tanto jovens, como velhos, nus e descalços, e descobertas as nádegas, para envergonhar ao Egito.
5E terão medo e vergonha por causa de Cuxe, em quem esperavam, e por causa do Egito, no qual se orgulhavam.
6E os moradores do litoral dirão naquele dia: Vede [o que houve com] aqueles em quem esperávamos, a quem buscávamos socorro, para nos livrarmos da presença do rei da Assíria! E [agora] ,como escaparemos?
📖 Chapter study
Summary
As a dramatic prophetic sign, Isaiah walks naked and barefoot for three years, foreshadowing how Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush) would be led away captive and humiliated by Assyria. It is a warning against trusting these nations as allies.
Explanation
The historical context is the Assyrian campaign against Ashdod (a Philistine city), around 711 BC, led by the general Tartan under King Sargon II of Assyria — an event confirmed by Assyrian archaeological records. Isaiah, obeying an unusual divine command, walks like a prisoner of war (naked and barefoot, without the normal symbols of status) to visually show the fate awaiting Egypt and Cush, nations Judah was tempted to trust against Assyria. This kind of 'enacted prophecy' was a device used by Hebrew prophets when words alone were not enough to impress the people. The practical application is that trusting in human powers for security, instead of in God, always results in disappointment.
Fun facts
- King Sargon II of Assyria, mentioned in this chapter, was known only from biblical references until archaeologists discovered his palace at Khorsabad (present-day Iraq) in the 19th century, historically confirming his existence and reign.
- Walking 'naked and barefoot' did not necessarily mean completely without clothes — the Hebrew expression could also indicate being dressed only in a simple tunic, like a prisoner of war, without the robes and sandals of a free man.