Introduction to Isaiah 20

Structure and Formatting

The oracle in chapter 20 is about Egypt and Cush, like the oracles in the two preceding chapters. It is different from those oracles in that it does not present a poem (probably the words to a song). Instead, it describes how Yahweh told Isaiah to act out a prophetic sign on a certain occasion, and it then explains the meaning of the sign. Although people in the smaller kingdoms west of Assyria, including many in Judah, wanted to rely on Egypt for protection, the Assyrians would conquer Egypt and take its people captive. The implication, which many other oracles in Isaiah bring out (especially in Part Four), is that the Judeans should rely on Yahweh instead. 1. Occasion of the sign (1) 2. The sign (2) 3. The meaning of the sign (3–6)