at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Isaiah was told to remove his sackcloth, a garment often worn by prophets as a sign of their calling or mourning, and his sandals, also a symbol of grief or captivity. This wasn't about literal nakedness but stripping away the outward signs of his prophetic office to embody the coming shame and captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia. It's a profound demonstration of how God uses visible, even startling, actions to convey His message.
at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God commissions Isaiah to perform a stark, symbolic act, commanding him to remove his rough prophet's garment and sandals. Isaiah obeys, walking publicly with a visible lack of covering, a striking visual representation of impending defeat and captivity for Egypt and Cush. This action, intended to shock and capture attention, foreshadows the ultimate humiliation and exile that awaits these nations, and by extension, warns Judah against relying on their strength.
Why would God tell his prophet to get undressed? It wasn't just about being naked; it was about a specific wardrobe change with deep meaning.
The Prophet's Professional Attire
God's prophets often used their bodies and actions as living illustrations of their messages. Isaiah was no exception. The 'sackcloth' wasn't just any old rag; it was a symbol often associated with mourning and repentance, but also worn by prophets as a distinct 'uniform' – like a special robe of office. Think of Elijah or John the Baptist, who wore rough, distinctive garments. This sackcloth, likely worn as a girdle, was part of Isaiah's prophetic identity.
A Sign of Captivity
When God told Isaiah to 'loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals,' it wasn't about literal nudity. Instead, it symbolized shedding the prophet's 'official' attire. This action was meant to represent the stripping away of all dignity, possessions, and protection – just as the Egyptians and Ethiopians would soon experience at the hands of the Assyrians. Removing the sandals also echoed the posture of mourners and captives, signaling distress and impending loss.
Was Isaiah literally walking around without any clothes? And what did walking barefoot signify? These details paint a powerful, albeit uncomfortable, picture.
More Than Just Undressed
The word 'naked' in the Bible doesn't always mean complete nudity. In this context, and in others like it, it refers to being without the outer or official garments. Isaiah was to remove his sackcloth and probably walk in his simple undergarment. This was a public display of vulnerability and shame, mirroring the fate awaiting the Egyptians and Ethiopians who were trusting in their own strength and alliances instead of God.
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Walking in Humiliation
Going barefoot was also a profound symbol. It was common for mourners and those in deep distress or captivity to go barefoot. By walking barefoot, Isaiah visually communicated the shame, humiliation, and utter lack of security that would befall Egypt and Cush. It was a stark warning that their confidence in these foreign powers would leave them exposed and vulnerable.
Isaiah's obedience here might seem shocking, even embarrassing. But God's commands, however strange, are always purposeful and holy.
Obedience Above Dignity
It takes immense faith and courage to obey God when His commands seem strange or even undignified. Isaiah's willingness to 'loose the sackcloth' and walk 'naked and barefoot' demonstrates his profound trust in the Lord. He wasn't doing this out of personal whim or for shock value; he was acting as God's instrument, fulfilling a divine decree.
God's Authority in Symbolism
This symbolic act was crucial for conveying God's message. The commentators note that Isaiah wasn't literally naked in a way that would be scandalous or indecent, but rather stripped of his prophetic garment to represent the impending desolation of Egypt and Ethiopia. God uses such powerful, visible signs to drive home His truth, especially when His people are prone to ignore His spoken word.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It denotes His self-existence, eternal nature, and unique relationship with His people.
saq · Hebrew Noun
A coarse, rough fabric, often made of goat's hair, worn as a garment to express deep mourning, repentance, or intense humiliation.
Isaiah's public, symbolic act of 'nakedness' was a shocking and unforgettable message, vividly illustrating the coming humiliation and exile of Egypt and Ethiopia at the hands of the Assyrians. It underscored Judah's vulnerability and the futility of trusting these nations for protection, a critical lesson in a time of intense geopolitical pressure.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of rebellion against Assyria and misplaced trust in foreign alliances.
c. 715 BC - 700 BC
Ethiopian Dynasty in Egypt
Kushite rulers, from modern-day Sudan, gained control of Egypt, creating a powerful Nubian-Egyptian empire. This alliance posed a significant threat to Assyrian dominance in the region, and both Egypt and Ethiopia would later be targets of Assyrian campaigns.
c. 713 BC— this verse
Tartan Attacks Ashdod
Sargon II of Assyria sends his field commander, Tartan, to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod. This military action signifies Assyria's expanding power and aggressive policy toward the region, directly impacting Judah's strategic considerations.
c. 713 BC
Isaiah's Symbolic Act
The LORD commands Isaiah to remove his prophet's garment (sackcloth) and sandals, walking naked and barefoot for three years as a sign against Egypt and Ethiopia. This dramatic public act symbolizes the future captivity and humiliation of these nations by Assyria.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Campaign Against Judah
Assyrian King Sennacherib invades Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This campaign demonstrates the direct threat of Assyrian military might to Judah itself, highlighting the folly of relying on Egypt for deliverance.
Micah, like Isaiah, walked 'naked and barefoot' as a sign of deep grief and impending judgment for the sins of Israel, highlighting this prophetic practice of symbolic, public lament.
Ezekiel 4:6This passage establishes the prophetic principle of a 'day for a year' when symbolizing future events, which is a key interpretive lens for understanding the duration of Isaiah's symbolic act.
Jeremiah 27:2Jeremiah wore a yoke on his neck as a tangible sign of subjugation to Babylon, similar to how Isaiah’s 'nakedness' symbolized the humiliation and captivity awaiting Egypt and Ethiopia.
2 Kings 1:8This verse describes Elijah wearing a 'hairy garment' and a leather belt, providing context for the 'sackcloth' prophets like Isaiah wore, which was a distinct attire representing their prophetic calling.
John 21:7When the disciple recognized Jesus, he was described as 'naked,' meaning he had on only his undergarment after having put off his outer robe, illustrating the biblical usage of 'naked' to mean 'lightly clothed' or without outer garments.
barnesIsaiah 20:2: "At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot."
By Isaiah - Margin, 'By the hand of Isaiah.' So the Hebrew. That is, by the instrumentality of Isaiah. He sent him to make known the fate of the Egyptians, and the folly of trusting in them on this occasion. Go, and loose the sackcloth - For the meaning of the word "sackcloth," see the note…
bensonIsaiah 20:2: "At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot."
Isaiah 20:2 . Go loose the sackcloth from off thy loins — By the sackcloth is meant either the hairy garment usually worn by the prophets, or a mournful habit, such as was commonly made of sackcloth which he wore in token of his grief for the great calamities that were already come upon Isr…
Isaiah was told to remove his sackcloth, a garment often worn by prophets as a sign of their calling or mourning, and his sandals, also a symbol of grief or captivity. This wasn't about literal nakedness but stripping away the outward signs of his prophetic office to embody the coming shame and captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia. It's a profound demonstration of how God uses visible, even startling, actions to convey His message.
God commissions Isaiah to perform a stark, symbolic act, commanding him to remove his rough prophet's garment and sandals. Isaiah obeys, walking publicly with a visible lack of covering, a striking visual representation of impending defeat and captivity for Egypt and Cush. This action, intended to shock and capture attention, foreshadows the ultimate humiliation and exile that awaits these nations, and by extension, warns Judah against relying on their strength.
God commissions Isaiah to perform a stark, symbolic act, commanding him to remove his rough prophet's garment and sandals. Isaiah obeys, walking publicly with a visible lack of covering, a striking visual representation of impending defeat and captivity for Egypt and Cush. This action, intended to shock and capture attention, foreshadows the ultimate humiliation and exile that awaits these nations, and by extension, warns Judah against relying on their strength.
"at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot." — Isaiah was told to remove his sackcloth, a garment often worn by prophets as a sign of their calling or mourning, and his sandals, also a symbol of grief or captivity. This wasn't about literal naked…
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Last reviewed October 2026