Isa 20:2, Eze 12:3, 11, 18 | 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.

Ezekiel 12:3

3. stuff for removing—rather, "an exile's outfit," the articles proper to a person going as an exile, a staff and knapsack, with a supply of food and clothing; so "instruments of captivity," Jer 46:19, Margin, that is, the needful equipments for it. His simple announcements having failed, he is symbolically to give them an ocular demonstration conveyed by a word-painting of actions performed in vision.

consider— (De 32:29).

Ezekiel 12:11

11. sign—portent of evil to come (Eze 24:27; Zec 3:8, Margin). Fulfilled (2Ki 25:1-7; Jer 52:1-11).

Ezekiel 12:18

18. Symbolical representation of the famine and fear with which they should eat their scanty morsel, in their exile, and especially at the siege.