An Assyrian conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia predicted The chapter is unique amongst Isaiah's discourses as giving the interpretation of a very remarkable symbolic action performed by the prophet at the command of Jehovah. For three years he went about in the garb of a beggar or captive, an object of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tartan_ In Assyrian _Turtanu_, the official title of the "chief of the staff." Cf. 2 Kings 18:17. _Sargon_ (Assyr. Sarrukin) the only mention of this now familiar name in the O.T. For long it was supposed to be a second name of either Shalmaneser or Sennacherib (see Tob 1:15), but the conjecture o... [ Continue Reading ]
A narrative introduction.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse is an explanatory parenthesis. The command here mentioned must have been given three years before the oracle of Isaiah 20:3 ff.; hence the expression "at that time" must be understood in a loose sense and for _spake_we must render "had spoken." _sackcloth_ the rough garment of hair or coa... [ Continue Reading ]
The apodosis. _lead away_ as in 1 Samuel 30:2. _the Egyptians prisoners … captives_ Better as R.V. THE CAPTIVES OF EGYPT AND THE EXILES OF ETHIOPIA. The two words for exile are both abstracts used in a concrete sense; the corresponding verbs denote, the one the act of making captive, the other the... [ Continue Reading ]
The effect which the sight of these miserable gangs of captives will produce on the inhabitants of Palestine. This is the real motive of the prophecy. Hezekiah probably took the warning. _they shall be afraid_ R.V. better: DISMAYED. The subject is indefinite "men.... [ Continue Reading ]
_this isle_ strictly: THIS COASTLAND (as R.V.). The expression is most accurately descriptive of the Philistine country; but must include Judah. Isaiah did not go three years naked and barefoot for the sake of the Philistines. It no doubt embraces the territory of all the states concerned in the con... [ Continue Reading ]