en_tn/isa/52/04.md

In the beginning

Here "beginning" refers to the start of Israel's history as they were first becoming a people.

went down to ... Egypt

"went to ... Egypt." It was common to use the phrase "went down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

Assyria has oppressed them

Assyria refers to the people of Assyria. Alternate translation: "the people of Assyria have treated them badly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)