from מַהֵר and שָׁלָל and חוּשׁ and בַּז; 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.
Transliteration:Mahêr Shâlâl Châsh Baz
Pronunciation:mah-hare' shaw-lawl' khawsh baz
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew phrase `{{H4122}}`, *Mahêr Shâlâl Châsh Baz*, is a symbolic name given to Isaiah's son, directly translating to "Hasting to the spoil, swift to the prey." This compound prophetic name is derived from four distinct Hebrew roots:
* מַהֵר (maher), related to `{{H4106}}` (מָהַר), meaning "to hasten" or "to hurry." It conveys a sense of immediacy and speed.
* שָׁלָל (shalal), `{{H7998}}`, meaning "booty," "spoil," or "plunder," referring to goods taken in war.
* חָשׁ (chash), related to `{{H2363}}` (חוּשׁ), also meaning "to hurry" or "to make haste," reinforcing the notion of swiftness.
* בַּז (baz), `{{H962}}`, meaning "prey" or "spoil," similar to שָׁלָל but often emphasizing that which is seized or devoured.
The name functions as a divinely ordained prophetic utterance, encapsulating a message of imminent, rapid plunder and destruction. It is not a common noun or verb but a unique, performative name designed to convey a specific theological and historical truth. Its semantic range is thus confined to its function as a sign of impending judgment and the swiftness with which it would arrive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H4122}}` appears exclusively in the book of Isaiah, specifically in chapters 8:1 and 8:3. Its introduction is deeply embedded in the historical and political turmoil of Judah during the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 734-732 BCE), where the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and Aram (Syria) formed an alliance against Judah, threatening King Ahaz.
In [[Isaiah 8:1]], the Lord commands Isaiah to write this name on a large tablet, emphasizing its public and undeniable nature: "Then the Lord said to me, 'Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, "Maher-shalal-hash-baz."'" This act of writing served as a public declaration, ensuring that the prophecy was recorded and witnessed before its fulfillment. The instruction to use "common characters" (or "a common pen") suggests its accessibility and clarity to all who would read it.
Subsequently, in [[Isaiah 8:3]], the name is given to Isaiah's son: "And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, 'Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.'" The child himself becomes a living, walking sign, a perpetual reminder of the impending divine judgment. The birth of the child and the naming act confirm the certainty and imminence of the prophecy.
The context reveals that this name prophesied the swift and decisive defeat of Damascus (Aram) and Samaria (Ephraim) by the Assyrian Empire. Before the child would be old enough to speak (or, as [[Isaiah 8:4]] clarifies, before he could say "My father" or "My mother"), the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria would be carried away by the king of Assyria. Thus, the name served as both a warning to Judah against trusting in human alliances rather than God, and a divine assurance that their immediate enemies would soon be plundered.
### Related Words & Concepts
The individual components of `{{H4122}}` are rich in meaning and connect to broader biblical themes:
* **Haste/Swiftness:** מַהֵר (`{{H4106}}`) and חָשׁ (`{{H2363}}`) underscore the rapid, unavoidable nature of God's judgment. This concept of divine speed is seen in other contexts of judgment and salvation (e.g., God's swift intervention, or the suddenness of the day of the Lord).
* **Spoil/Prey:** שָׁלָל (`{{H7998}}`) and בַּז (`{{H962}}`) denote the outcome of military conquest – the taking of possessions and lives. This imagery is pervasive in prophetic literature, symbolizing the destruction and desolation inflicted upon nations by divine decree, often through the agency of other nations (e.g., Assyria as God's "rod" in [[Isaiah 10:5]]).
Furthermore, `{{H4122}}` stands in relation to other symbolic names in Isaiah, which serve as living prophecies:
* **Shear-Jashub** (`{{H7610}}`): Isaiah's first son, whose name means "A remnant shall return" ([[Isaiah 7:3]]), symbolizing both judgment and the promise of future restoration.
* **Immanuel** (`{{H6005}}`): "God with us" ([[Isaiah 7:14]], [[Isaiah 8:8]], [[Isaiah 8:10]]), a sign of God's protective presence amidst the threats, and ultimately a messianic prophecy.
These names collectively form a tapestry of divine communication, demonstrating God's active involvement in history, His sovereignty over nations, and His consistent revelation of His plans to His prophets. The concept of a "sign" (אוֹת, `{{H226}}`) is central here, where a person, event, or name serves as a tangible manifestation of God's word.
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H4122}}`, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, is replete with profound theological significance:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Control over History:** The name powerfully asserts God's absolute control over the course of human history and the destiny of nations. Even the rise and fall of powerful empires like Assyria are orchestrated by the Lord to fulfill His purposes. The swiftness of the predicted plunder underscores that no human power can withstand or thwart His decreed will.
2. **Imminence and Certainty of Judgment:** The name serves as an undeniable sign of the immediate and certain judgment awaiting Aram and Ephraim. God's word, spoken through His prophet and embodied in a child's name, is not merely a prediction but a divine decree that will inevitably come to pass. This emphasizes God's faithfulness to His warnings and His justice.
3. **The Nature of Prophecy as a Living Word:** Isaiah's son becomes a living embodiment of God's message. This illustrates how God's word is not abstract but active, tangible, and performative, breaking into human history through concrete signs. It underscores the prophetic tradition where prophets and their families often became object lessons for God's truth.
4. **A Call to Trust in God Alone:** In the broader context of Isaiah 7-8, the name stands in stark contrast to King Ahaz's reliance on human alliances (specifically with Assyria, ironically the very instrument of the predicted judgment). Maher-shalal-hash-baz, alongside Immanuel, presents a choice: fear human enemies and trust in fleeting human power, or fear the Lord and trust in His unfailing presence and promises. The swiftness of the plunder highlights the folly of trusting in those whom God has appointed for destruction.
5. **The Severity of God's Retribution:** The imagery of "spoil" and "prey" vividly portrays the devastating consequences of rejecting God's covenant and leadership. It reminds the audience that God's justice is not merely punitive but also restorative in its ultimate aim, though it often involves severe disciplinary action.
### Summary
`{{H4122}}`, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, meaning "Hasting to the spoil, swift to the prey," is a profound prophetic name given to Isaiah's son. Occurring in [[Isaiah 8:1]] and [[Isaiah 8:3]], it served as a living sign and public declaration of God's imminent and swift judgment upon Damascus and Samaria by the Assyrian Empire. The name's constituent parts emphasize the speed and totality of the impending plunder. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations, the certainty and imminence of His divine judgments, and the active, tangible nature of His prophetic word in human history. It stands as a powerful reminder of the consequences of human unfaithfulness and a call to trust solely in the Lord amidst political turmoil.
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