Asbury Bible Commentary – c. The sign of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:1-4)
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c. The sign of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:1-4)
c. The sign of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:1-4)

To reinforce the prophecy and to make certain that it is known publicly, God orders Isaiah to write it down in the presence of witnesses. The form the prophecy takes is the name-phrase Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, which means “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil.” This is reinforced by the giving of this name to yet another son, a sign that soon, within the period of two years (time for conception, birth, and the baby’s first words), Isaiah’s prophecy of the destruction of Damascus (Syria) and Samaria (Ephraim/Israel) will have come to pass. Their plunder and spoils will have been carried off by the king of Assyria.