Meaning and Etymology:
The name Maher-shalal-hash-baz is of Hebrew origin and is one of the longest names found in the Bible. It translates to "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey." This name is significant as it serves as a prophetic sign concerning the imminent plundering of Samaria and Damascus by the Assyrian Empire.

Biblical Context:
Maher-shalal-hash-baz is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah, specifically in Isaiah 8:1-4. The prophet Isaiah is instructed by the LORD to write this name on a large scroll and to have it witnessed by reliable individuals. This act serves as a prophetic message to the people of Judah regarding the swift judgment that will come upon their enemies.

Scriptural Reference:
Isaiah 8:1-4 : "Then the LORD said to me, 'Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses—Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.' 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. For before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.'"

Prophetic Significance:
The birth and naming of Maher-shalal-hash-baz serve as a tangible sign of God's impending judgment and the fulfillment of His word. The prophecy underscores the certainty and swiftness of the Assyrian conquest, emphasizing God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to execute His plans with precision.

Historical Background:
During the time of Isaiah's prophecy, the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the Kingdom of Aram (Damascus) were in alliance against the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Assyrian Empire, under King Tiglath-Pileser III, was expanding its territory and posed a significant threat to the region. Isaiah's prophecy through the naming of his son was a direct message to King Ahaz of Judah, assuring him that the alliance against him would not succeed, as God would use Assyria to bring judgment upon Israel and Aram.

Theological Implications:
Maher-shalal-hash-baz's name and the prophecy associated with it highlight several key theological themes. Firstly, it demonstrates God's control over history and His ability to use even foreign powers to accomplish His purposes. Secondly, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's promises. Lastly, it foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and hope found in God's redemptive plan, which is fully realized in the coming of the Messiah.

Related Figures:
· Isaiah: The prophet who received the message from God and fathered Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
· The Prophetess: Isaiah's wife, who bore Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
· Uriah the Priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah: The witnesses appointed by God to confirm the prophetic message.

Cross-References:
· Isaiah 7:14-16: The prophecy of Immanuel, another sign given to King Ahaz, which parallels the prophecy of Maher-shalal-hash-baz in its message of deliverance and judgment.
· 2 Kings 15:29: Historical account of the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy associated with Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

Maher-shalal-hash-baz stands as a testament to the power of God's word and the certainty of His promises, serving as both a warning and a source of hope for those who trust in Him.Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz

making speed to the spoil; he hastens to the prey

Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz

Haste, spoil, speed to the prey, the name given by Isaiah to one of his sons, for a prophetic intimation of the speedy victory of the Assyrians over Syria and Israel, Isaiah 8:1-3.

Plunder speedeth; spoil hasteth, (Isaiah 8:1-3; Comp. Zephaniah 1:14), a name Isaiah was commanded first to write in large characters on a tablet, and afterwards to give as a symbolical name to a son that was to be born to him (Isaiah 8:1, 3), as denoting the sudden attack on Damascus and Syria by the Assyrian army. MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ

ma'-her-shal'-al-hash'-baz (maher shalal chash baz, "the spoil speedeth; the prey hasteth"): Asymbolic name given to Isaiah's son to signify the sharp destruction of Rezin and Pekah by the Assyrian power (Isaiah 8:1, 3). Compare the Greek idea of Nemesis.

4122. Maher Shalal Chash Baz -- "swift (is) booty, speedy (is) ...
... name of Isaiah's son. Transliteration: Maher Shalal Chash Baz Phonetic Spelling:
(mah-hare' shaw-lawl' khawsh baz) Short Definition: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. ...
/hebrew/4122.htm - 6k

Hence Neither is it Lawful to Accuse those who have Left All...
... began quickly to spoil, and to hasten the prey, according to the name whereby he
was called: as it is written, "Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz: for before ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xiii hence neither is.htm

Everybody's Sermon
... For instance, Isaiah named his child, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, that they might know
that the judgment of the Lord was hastening upon them; and this child was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/everybodys sermon.htm

Matt. I. 22, 23
... How is it then that the prophet said, "Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz?" [232]
Because, when he was born, there was a taking and dividing of spoils ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily v matt i 22.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... Against this an appeal might, with the most perfectpropriety, have been made to
Shear-Jashub, and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, neither of whom can, by any means ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
... Isa.8:1, 11, 12""Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and
write in it with a man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the scriptures.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... Now you, too, may be the Lord's mother. "Take thee a great roll and write in it
with a man's pen Maher-shalal-hash-baz." [632] And when you have gone to the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Mahershalalhashbaz (2 Occurrences)
... army. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ. ma ... Nemesis.
Multi-Version Concordance Mahershalalhashbaz (2 Occurrences). Isaiah ...
/m/mahershalalhashbaz.htm - 8k

Maher-shalal-hash-baz (2 Occurrences)
Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Maher-shalal-hashbaz, Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
Ma'her-shal'al-hash-baz . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ. ...
/m/maher-shalal-hash-baz.htm - 8k

Ma'her-shal'al-hash-baz (2 Occurrences)
Ma'her-shal'al-hash-baz. Maher-shalal-hash-baz, Ma'her-shal'al-hash-baz. Mahlah . ...
Then the Lord said to me, Give him the name Maher-shalal-hash-baz, (See RSV ...
/m/ma'her-shal'al-hash-baz.htm - 7k

Maher (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man's
pen,' For MaherShalalHashBaz;' (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NIV). ...
/m/maher.htm - 6k

Maher-shalal-hashbaz (1 Occurrence)
Maher-shalal-hashbaz. Mahershalalhashbaz, Maher-shalal-hashbaz. Maher-shalal-
hash-baz . ... Mahershalalhashbaz, Maher-shalal-hashbaz. Maher-shalal-hash-baz > ...
/m/maher-shalal-hashbaz.htm - 6k

Baz (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man's
pen,' For MaherShalalHashBaz;' (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV NIV). ...
/b/baz.htm - 6k

Shalal (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man's
pen,' For MaherShalalHashBaz;' (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NIV). ...
/s/shalal.htm - 6k

Hash (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 8:1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet, and write on it with a man's
pen,' For MaherShalalHashBaz;' (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hash.htm - 7k

Name'maher (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 8:3 I went to the prophetess, and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said
Yahweh to me, "Call his name'MaherShalalHashBaz.' (WEB). ...
/n/name'maher.htm - 6k

Uruah
... The same Uriah appears in Isaiah 8:2 as one of the two "faithful witnesses"
taken by Isaiah in the matter of Maher-shalal-hash-baz. ...
/u/uruah.htm - 10k

Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Isaiah | GotQuestions.org

What is a prophetess? Does the Bible mention any prophetesses? | GotQuestions.org

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