Isaiah 8:3

And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

And I went {H7126} unto the prophetess {H5031}; and she conceived {H2029}, and bare {H3205} a son {H1121}. Then said {H559} the LORD {H3068} to me, Call {H7121} his name {H8034} Mahershalalhashbaz {H4122}.

Then I had sexual relations with my wife; she became pregnant and gave birth to a son; and ADONAI said to me, "Name him Maher Shalal Hash Baz;

And I had relations with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said Jehovah unto me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

Isaiah 8:3 describes a pivotal moment in the prophet Isaiah's ministry, where God instructs him to engage in a symbolic act—the birth and naming of a child—to deliver a prophetic message to the people of Judah.

Context of Isaiah 8:3

This verse is set during a time of significant political and spiritual crisis in Judah, specifically the Syro-Ephraimite War. King Ahaz of Judah was facing a formidable alliance between Aram (Syria) and Israel (Ephraim), who sought to depose him. God had previously offered Ahaz a sign of deliverance through the birth of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14), but Ahaz refused to ask for one, demonstrating a lack of faith. In response, God continues to give signs, this time through Isaiah's own family. The "prophetess" mentioned is generally understood to be Isaiah's wife, who, by bearing a child with a divinely appointed name, participates directly in God's prophetic communication.

Meaning of Mahershalalhashbaz

The central element of this verse is the instruction to name the son Mahershalalhashbaz. This is not merely a name but a prophetic sentence in Hebrew: Mahershalalhashbaz (מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז) directly translates to "Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty" or "Hurry to the spoil! Rush to the plunder!" This name served as a living prophecy, a constant reminder of God's imminent action. It foretold that before the child would be old enough to speak, the wealth of Damascus (Aram) and Samaria (Ephraim/Israel) would be carried away by the king of Assyria, the very power Ahaz was tempted to rely upon instead of God (see Isaiah 8:4).

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: Even amidst international conflict and political maneuvering, God is in control of all events, orchestrating the rise and fall of nations.
  • Prophetic Signs: God often uses tangible signs, including the birth and naming of children, to confirm His word and convey His messages to humanity. This echoes other symbolic namings in Scripture, such as those found in Hosea 1.
  • Imminent Judgment and Deliverance: The name itself signifies both the swift judgment upon Judah's immediate enemies and, by extension, the eventual judgment that would also come upon Judah itself through Assyria for its lack of faith.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew name Mahershalalhashbaz is a compound of four words: maher (hurry/hasten), shalal (spoil/plunder), chash (hasten/rush), and baz (booty/prey). The repetition of the idea of "haste" and "spoil" emphasizes the speed and certainty of the coming desolation. It's a powerful and memorable prophetic declaration embedded directly into the identity of a child.

Practical Application

Isaiah 8:3 reminds us that God speaks in various ways and that His word is always sure. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or overwhelming, God's plan is unfolding. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of trusting in God's sovereign hand rather than relying on human strategies or alliances. It encourages us to discern God's active involvement in the world, even through seemingly ordinary events like the birth of a child, and to heed His warnings and promises. God’s prophetic word, whether of judgment or salvation, is ultimately for our good, calling us to faith and obedience.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 1:3

    So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

  • Hosea 1:9

    Then said [God], Call his name Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God].

  • 2 Kings 22:14

    So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

  • Isaiah 7:13

    And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Judges 4:4

    ¶ And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

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