English · KJV
H4122

מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז

Mahêr Shâlâl Châsh Baz /mah-hare' shaw-lawl' khawsh baz/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom מַהֵר and שָׁלָל and חוּשׁ and בַּז
Meaninghasting (is he (the enemy) to the) booty, swift (to the) prey; Maher-Shalal-Chash-Baz; the symbolical name of the son of Isaiah
KJV usageMaher-sha-lal-bash-baz.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Mahêr Shâlâl Châsh Baz — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew phrase Mahêr Shâlâl Châsh Baz, represented by H4122, is a symbolic name for the son of Isaiah. Its meaning is "hasting (is he (the enemy) to the) booty, swift (to the) prey." This unique name appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its specific prophetic purpose.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H4122 is given through direct commands from the LORD. First, the LORD H3068 instructed Isaiah to write H3789 "Mahershalalhashbaz" on a great roll as a public witness before the child was conceived Isaiah 8:1. Following the birth of Isaiah's son, the LORD H3068 then commanded him to call H7121 his son's name H8034 Mahershalalhashbaz Isaiah 8:3. This two-step process establishes the name as a deliberate and divine prophecy.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are central to the context of this prophetic name:

  • H3789 kâthab (to write): This action solidifies the name as a pre-ordained message. The LORD's command to write the name on a roll ensures the prophecy is recorded before it is embodied in the child Isaiah 8:1.
  • H7121 qârâʼ (to call): This word signifies the act of formally giving the name. The instruction from the LORD was specifically to call his name Mahershalalhashbaz, linking the child's identity directly to the divine message Isaiah 8:3.
  • H8034 shêm (an appellation, name): This term confirms that the phrase is not merely descriptive but serves as a formal name, a memorial of individuality and a sign from God Isaiah 8:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4122 is found in its function as a direct communication from God.

  • Prophetic Naming: The name itself is a living prophecy. By being commanded first to write H3789 the name and then to call H7121 his son by it, Isaiah participates in a symbolic act where a child's name becomes a divine oracle to the nation (Isaiah 8:1, Isaiah 8:3).
  • Divine Sovereignty: The name originates not with Isaiah, but with Yᵉhôvâh H3068, who said H559 what to name the child. This underscores God's direct intervention and authority in revealing future events.
  • A Living Sign: As a "symbolical name," the child Mahershalalhashbaz served as a constant, public reminder of God's impending judgment, as foretold by the meaning, "hasting to the booty, swift to the prey."

Summary

In summary, H4122 is a powerful example of a prophetic name in scripture. It is not merely a label but a message from God, written and proclaimed at his command. The name Mahêr Shâlâl Châsh Baz, given to Isaiah's son, stands as a testament to God's use of symbolic acts to communicate his sovereign plans and warnings to his people.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun and a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מַהֵר
  • שָׁלָל
  • מַהֵר
  • חָשׁ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H3789 כָּתַב a primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe); describe, record, presc H7121 קָרָא a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly H8034 שֵׁם a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appel H559 אָמַר a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge,

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in Isaiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.