Isaiah 8 3

Isaiah 8:3 kjv

And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

Isaiah 8:3 nkjv

Then 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;

Isaiah 8:3 niv

Then I made love to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.

Isaiah 8:3 esv

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;

Isaiah 8:3 nlt

Then I slept with my wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. And the LORD said, "Call him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

Isaiah 8 verses

Isaiah 8 3 Meaning

This verse describes a prophet taking a large writing tablet and writing upon it with a common stylus. The inscription proclaims a swift and certain destruction of enemies.

Isaiah 8 3 Context

Chapter 8 of Isaiah continues the prophet's warning to Judah. In the preceding verses (7:1-9:7), Isaiah is given signs concerning the impending doom brought by the alliance of Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel against Judah. This specific verse (8:3) is part of a significant prophetic act where Isaiah is instructed to take a large writing tablet and a common stylus, inscribing it with a prophetic name for a child. This act signifies God's direct and imminent judgment upon Israel and Syria, demonstrating that their power and plans would be swiftly dismantled by the Assyrian empire. The naming of the child, "Mah-shalal-hash-baz" (meaning "Swift is the plunder, the prey hastens"), and the prophecy concerning him, reinforce the message of imminent devastation. This all occurs during the reign of Ahaz in Judah, a time of political instability and idolatry.

Isaiah 8 3 Word Analysis

• And (Hebrew: וְ - ve): A conjunction, common in Hebrew, linking clauses or items.
• I (Hebrew: אֲנִי - ani): First person singular pronoun, emphasizing personal involvement of the prophet.
• took (Hebrew: לָקַחְתִּי - lakachti): Perfect tense, indicating a completed action; the prophet secured the tablet.
• to (Hebrew: אֶל - el): Preposition indicating direction or destination.
• me (Hebrew: אֶת - et): Indicates the direct object. In this case, the tablet.
• a (Hebrew: לֻחַת - luchath): Refers to a writing tablet or board. The lack of article suggests generality, but in context it's a specific tablet commanded.
• large (Hebrew: גָּדוֹל - gadol): Describes the size, emphasizing the public and prominent nature of the inscription.
• great (Hebrew: גְּדֹלָה - gedolah): Feminine form of gadol, agreeing with 'luchath' (tablet, which is grammatically feminine in Hebrew).
• tablet (Hebrew: לֻחָת - luchath): A board or tablet, often made of wood or clay, used for writing. The term can also refer to stone tablets, but here a more common material is implied.
• and (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• wrote (Hebrew: וָאֶכְתּוֹב - v’echtowv): Imperfect tense, describing an ongoing or repeated action, though here it denotes the inscription of the message.
• on (Hebrew: עַל - al): Preposition indicating location or surface.
• it (Hebrew: בּוֹ - bo): Pronominal suffix referring back to the tablet.
• with (Hebrew: בְּ - b'-): Preposition indicating means or instrument.
• a (Hebrew: מַחֲרָשׂ - macharach): A stylus or pointed instrument used for writing.
• pen (Hebrew: חֹרֵשׁ - chorech): Could mean ploughshare, but here likely signifies a writing stylus or engraver. The term macharach more directly points to a cutting or scraping tool.
• common (Hebrew: חֹרֵשׁ - chorech): Often translated as 'ploughman' or 'engraver', here suggesting an ordinary, non-specialized tool. It implies a writing implement of the common man, readily available.
• pen (Hebrew: חֹרֵשׁ - chorech): Again, chorech here emphasizes the commonality of the writing tool, contrasting with a rare or precious implement. The combined phrase "ordinary stylus" or "plowman's tool" is a valid interpretation. The emphasis is on accessibility and lack of ceremony in the tool.
• stylus (Hebrew: מַחֲרָשׂ - macharach): A sharp instrument used for writing, often on wax tablets. The conjunction here implies it's an 'ordinary' or 'common' one.

Group analysis:The phrase "ordinary stylus" emphasizes that the instrument used is not a special, ornate, or rare one, but something common and accessible, making the prophetic message relevant to all people and highlighting God's message being delivered through simple means. The choice of a large tablet further signifies the public and undeniable nature of the divine declaration.

Isaiah 8 3 Bonus Section

The Hebrew word for stylus, macharach, can also relate to plowing or engraving. This duality hints at God's sovereign action of "plowing through" and engraving His judgment upon His enemies. The very act of writing is a tangible representation of God's word, made manifest for all to see. The naming of children as prophetic signs was a practice sanctioned by God in the Old Testament (e.g., Hosea's children) to convey theological messages. This particular name, "Swift is the plunder, the prey hastens," directly points to the rapid and complete conquest that would befall Israel and Syria by the Assyrians.

Isaiah 8 3 Commentary

The command for Isaiah to use a "large tablet" and an "ordinary stylus" is highly symbolic. It signifies that the prophetic message is not meant to be obscure or limited to a select few, but is a clear and public declaration of God's impending judgment. The ordinariness of the tool underscores that God can use common means and common people to communicate His will. The message inscribed is the name of Isaiah's son, "Mah-shalal-hash-baz," a name that itself is a pronouncement of judgment and spoils, a precursor to the more profound prophecies in later chapters. This act makes the abstract prophecy of judgment concrete and visible to all, anticipating the fall of enemies of Judah.