Lexical Summary Maher Shalal Chash Baz: "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey." Original Word: מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Maher-sha-lal-bash-baz From maher and shalal and chuwsh and baz; hasting (is he (the enemy) to the) booty, swift (to the) prey; Maher-Shalal-Chash-Baz; the symbolical name of the son of Isaiah -- Maher-sha-lal-bash-baz. see HEBREW maher see HEBREW shalal see HEBREW chuwsh see HEBREW baz NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom maher, shalal, chush, and baz Definition "swift (is) booty, speedy (is) prey," symbolic name of Isaiah's son NASB Translation Maher-shalal-hash-baz (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז as proper name, masculine Isaiah 8:1,3(literally Swift is booty, speedy is prey). II. מהר ( √ of following; compare probably Assyrian mâru, send, whence tamirtu, tamartu, (missive,) gift, DlHWB 389f.; see NöZMG xl. 1886, 154). Topical Lexicon Name and Narrative Setting Maher-shalal-hash-baz is the divinely appointed name of Isaiah’s second son (Isaiah 8:1, 8:3). Before the child was conceived, the Lord told Isaiah to write the name on a large scroll and summon reliable witnesses to certify it. After the prophetess gave birth, God said, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz, for before the boy knows how to say ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria” (Isaiah 8:3-4). Historical Context The sign was given during the Syro-Ephraimite war (circa 734–732 BC). Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel sought to coerce Ahaz of Judah into their anti-Assyrian alliance (2 Kings 16:5; Isaiah 7:1-2). God used Isaiah’s family to foretell that Assyria would swiftly overthrow both northern powers. Tiglath-Pileser the Third indeed captured Damascus in 732 BC and annexed Israel’s territories (2 Kings 15:29; 16:9), vindicating the prophecy within a short span. Prophetic Meaning The name is a compressed battle cry—“Speed to the spoil! Hurry to the plunder!”—announcing imminent, unstoppable conquest. It guaranteed Judah’s rescue from the northern coalition, yet simultaneously warned that Assyria’s tide would later surge against Judah itself (Isaiah 8:7-8). The child’s growth became a living countdown to judgment, turning domestic life into public prophecy. Relationship to the Immanuel Oracle Maher-shalal-hash-baz stands in parallel with the earlier promised child Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14-16). Both signs hinge on a boy’s early development as a chronological marker for the fall of hostile kings. Immanuel emphasizes God’s presence and ultimate hope, while Maher-shalal-hash-baz stresses the rapid execution of divine judgment. Together they foreshadow the Messiah in whom salvation and judgment converge (Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:34-35). Theological Themes 1. Reliability of Revelation: The prophecy was publicly documented and historically verified (Isaiah 8:1-2, 18). Ministry Applications • Preaching: Demonstrates that God warns clearly and fulfills His word precisely, encouraging balanced proclamation of judgment and grace. Related Scriptures Isaiah 7:14-17; Isaiah 8:7-10; Isaiah 10:5-12; 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Kings 16:9; 2 Chronicles 28:5-6; Micah 1:6-9; Matthew 1:22-23; Hebrews 2:13 Forms and Transliterations בַּֽז׃ בז׃ bazLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 8:1 HEB: שָׁלָ֖ל חָ֥שׁ בַּֽז׃ KJV: pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. INT: letters ordinary Mahershalalhashbaz Isaiah 8:3 |
    |