Many who search the scriptures may find themselves looking for a specific verse, only to discover it does not seem to exist. This is often the case for those seeking the passage “Isaiah 20:66”. While the book of Isaiah is a cornerstone of prophetic literature, a close look at its text reveals that chapter 20 concludes at the sixth verse. There is no sixty-sixth verse in this chapter, which can be a source of confusion for students of the Bible. Understanding why this reference is sought after, and what the actual chapter contains, can be a fruitful exercise in careful biblical study.
The search for a non-existent verse is more common than one might think. It usually stems from a simple error, a misremembered quote, or information that has been passed along incorrectly. Before we explore those possibilities, it is helpful to ground ourselves in the text that is actually there.
The Prophecy of Isaiah Chapter 20
Isaiah chapter 20 is a short but potent prophetic oracle. It is a symbolic act, a piece of living theater meant to convey a divine message in a way that words alone could not. The chapter sets a specific historical scene: the year that the supreme commander of the Assyrian army, sent by King Sargon, came to Ashdod, fought against it, and captured it.
In this context, the Lord commands the prophet Isaiah to perform a startling act. He is told to remove the sackcloth from his body and the sandals from his feet. For three years, Isaiah was to walk stripped and barefoot. This was not for his own sake, but as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, the ancient kingdom of Ethiopia.
The meaning of this prophetic sign is made clear in the chapter’s closing verses. Isaiah’s state was a preview of what the king of Assyria would do to the Egyptians and Cushites. They too would be led away as captives, stripped and barefoot, to the shame of their nations. The prophecy was a stark warning to the kingdoms of Judah and the surrounding coastal regions who were placing their hope in an alliance with Egypt to protect them from the overwhelming might of the Assyrian empire.
The chapter’s final verse, Isaiah 20:6, captures the despair of those who had misplaced their trust: “In that day the inhabitants of this coastland will say, ‘See, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape?’”
Why Do People Search for Isaiah 20:66?
Since the verse itself is not in the Bible, the search for it points to other phenomena. There are several common reasons why a person might be looking for a scriptural reference that does not exist.
Simple Typographical Errors
The most frequent cause is a simple mistake in typing or writing. A person might have intended to look up a different verse and erred in the numbers. For instance, the intended reference could have been:
- Isaiah 66:20: This verse speaks of the Israelites bringing their own people from all nations as an offering to the Lord in Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 26:20: A very different theme, this verse is a call for God’s people to hide themselves away until His wrath has passed.
- A different book entirely: Perhaps the searcher was thinking of a verse in another prophetic book, such as Jeremiah or Ezekiel, and simply misattributed it to Isaiah.
Without knowing the specific topic the person was hoping to find, it is difficult to determine the intended verse.
The Spread of Misinformation
In the digital age, information spreads with incredible speed, and not all of it is accurate. A non-existent verse can be created, attached to a powerful saying or idea, and shared across social media or in online forums. Once it gains enough traction, people will begin searching for the reference in good faith, attempting to find it in the biblical text. This often happens without any malicious intent, but is simply the result of a quote becoming separated from its source and being assigned an incorrect, yet plausible, scriptural address. [Link: The importance of context in Bible study]
Misremembered Quotes
Memory is a powerful but imperfect tool. It is quite common for people to remember the general idea of a scripture or a specific phrase they once heard in a sermon and associate it with the wrong reference. They may have a distinct spiritual concept in mind, something they feel certain is in the Bible, and attach it to a verse number they vaguely recall. The search for “Isaiah 20:66” could be the result of someone trying to locate a passage on a theme they believe is in the book of Isaiah, with the numbers “20” and “66” holding some significance that is now lost.
A Guide to Verifying Biblical Verses
When you encounter a biblical reference that you cannot find, it presents an opportunity to sharpen your study skills. Rather than giving up, you can use a few simple methods to investigate further.
Use a Concordance: A biblical concordance, whether in a physical book or a digital tool, is your most powerful asset. If you remember even a few key words from the verse you are seeking, you can look them up. A concordance will list every instance of that word in the Bible, allowing you to scan the results for the passage you have in mind. [Link: How to use a concordance]
Check the Chapter Length: If a reference seems questionable, a quick look at the table of contents in a study Bible or a quick online search can tell you how many chapters are in the book and how many verses are in the chapter. This immediately clarifies if the reference, like Isaiah 20:66, is structurally possible.
Broaden Your Search: If you are sure of the topic but not the reference, try searching for the theme. For example, instead of a specific verse number, search for phrases like “God’s promise to the exiles” or “prophecy against Egypt.” This may lead you to the correct chapter and verse. [Link: Major themes in the book of Isaiah]
While the search for Isaiah 20:66 may begin with a dead end, it does not have to end in frustration. It can lead to a deeper look at the actual text of Isaiah 20, a better understanding of how misinformation can spread, and the cultivation of more precise and careful habits of scriptural study. The journey of understanding God’s word is one of continual discovery, where even our errors can become learning opportunities.