Isaiah 20:5

“And they shall be afraid and ashamed, &c.] That is, those that trusted and depended upon the Egyptians and Ethiopians, particularly the Jews after mentioned, shall be “afraid” that it will be their turn next, that they also shall be taken and carried captive; and they shall be “ashamed” that they have put their trust and confidence in those nations, and not in the Lord: of Ethiopia their expectation; from whom they expected assistance and protection, particularly when Tirhakah king of Ethiopia went out against the king of Assyria, that he would have been a match for him, and have overcome him, and so have freed them from such a powerful enemy: and of Egypt their glory; who was their ally,…”

“they--the Philistine allies of Egypt who trusted in it for help against Assyria. A warning to the party among the Jews, who, though Judah was then the subordinate ally of Assyria, were looking to Egypt as a preferable ally (Isa 30:7). Ethiopia was their "expectation"; for Palestine had not yet obtained, but hoped for alliance with it. Egypt was their "glory," that is, boast (Isa 13:19); for the alliance with it was completed.”

“And they shall be afraid - The Jews, or the party or faction among the Jews, that were expecting aid from allied Ethiopia and Egypt. When they shall see them vanquished, they shall apprehend a similar danger to themselves; and they shall be ashamed that they ever confided in a people so little able to aid them, instead of trusting in the arm of God. Egypt their glory - Their boast, as if Egypt was able to save them. The word rendered here ‘glory’ (תפארת tiph'ereth) means properly, “ornament, praise, honor;” and then it may mean the “object” of glory, or that in which people boast or confide. That is its sense here (compare Isaiah 10:12; Isaiah 13:19; Zechariah 12:7). return to 'Top of Page'”

“They - All that shall trust to them. But under this general expression the Israelites, seem to be principally intended. Isaiah 20:6”

“20:5-6 Philistia’s downfall was a warning to the people of Judah, who also relied on Egypt and other alliances rather than on God.”

“afraid: Isa 30:3, Isa 30:5, Isa 30:7, Isa 36:6; Kg2 18:21; Eze 29:6, Eze 29:7 their glory: Isa 2:22; Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24, Jer 17:5; Co1 3:21 Isaiah 20:6”

“But if Egypt and Ethiopia are thus shamefully humbled, what kind of impression will this make upon those who rely upon the great power that is supposed to be both unapproachable and invincible? "And they cry together, and behold themselves deceived by Ethiopia, to which they looked, and by Egypt, in which they gloried. And the inhabitant of this coast-land saith in that day, Behold, thus it happens to those to whom we looked, whither we fled for help to deliver us from the king of Asshur: and how should we, we escape?" אי, which signifies both an island and a coast-land, is used as the name of Philistia and Zep 2:5, and as the name of Phoenicia in Isa 23:2, Isa 23:6; and for this reason…”