Maher-shalal-hash-baz מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז
Symbolic name given to Isaiah's son, meaning "swift is booty, speedy is prey."
Who is Maher-shalal-hash-baz in the Bible?
Maher-shalal-hash-baz was the symbolic name given to the son of the prophet Isaiah, meaning "swift is booty, speedy is prey" (Isaiah 8:1, 3). God commanded Isaiah to name his child with this prophetic message about the impending Assyrian invasion of Syria and Israel. The child's birth and name served as a sign that before he would be old enough to speak, the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria would be carried away by the king of Assyria. This unusual naming practice demonstrated how God used Isaiah's family circumstances as living prophecies to communicate His coming judgments to His people.
Biography
Maher-shalal-hash-baz was the name given to the son of the prophet Isaiah. The name, which means "swift is booty, speedy is prey," was a prophetic message about the impending Assyrian invasion of Syria and Israel. God instructed Isaiah to write this name on a large scroll and have it witnessed by reliable people. When Isaiah's wife, the prophetess, conceived and gave birth to a son, God commanded Isaiah to name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz. The child's name was a sign that before he would be old enough to say "father" or "mother," the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria would be carried away by the king of Assyria (Isa.8.1, 3).
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentIsaiah 2 verses
- Isaiah 8:1
"Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz."
Study Isaiah → - Isaiah 8:3
"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."
Study Isaiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז | Maher-Shalal-Chash-Baz ; the symbolical name of the son of Isaiah |