Isa 20:2 | JFB | STEP | 2. by —literally, "by the hand of" (compare ). sackcloth —the loose outer garment of coarse dark hair-cloth worn by mourners ( ) and by prophets, fastened at the waist by a girdle ( ). naked —rather, "uncovered"; he merely put off the outer sackcloth, retaining still the tunic or inner vest ( ); an emblem to show that Egypt should be stripped of its possessions; the very dress of Isaiah was a silent exhortation to repentance.

Isaiah 20:2

2. by—literally, "by the hand of" (compare Eze 3:14).

sackcloth—the loose outer garment of coarse dark hair-cloth worn by mourners (2Sa 3:31) and by prophets, fastened at the waist by a girdle (Mt 3:4; 2Ki 1:8; Zec 13:4).

naked—rather, "uncovered"; he merely put off the outer sackcloth, retaining still the tunic or inner vest (1Sa 19:24; Am 2:16; Joh 21:7); an emblem to show that Egypt should be stripped of its possessions; the very dress of Isaiah was a silent exhortation to repentance.