Isaiah 8

CHAPTER 8Isa 8:1-9:7.The first seven verses of the ninth chapter belong to this section. The eighth chapter continues the subject of the seventh chapter, but at a later period (compare Isa 8:4 with Isa 7:16); implying that the interval till the accomplishment is shorter now than then. The tone of Isa 8:17, 21, 22, expresses calamity more immediate and afflictive than Isa 7:4, 15, 22.1. great—suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all.roll—rather, tablet of wood, metal, or stone (Isa 30:8; Hab 2:2); sometimes coated with wax, upon which characters were traced with a pointed instrument, or iron stylus; skins and papyrus were also used (Isa 19:7).man's pen—that is, in ordinary characters which the humblest can read (so Hab 2:2). Hebrew, enosh means a "common man," is contrasted with the upper ranks (Re 21:17; Ro 3:5). Not in hieroglyphics. The object was that, after the event, all might see that it had been predicted by Isaiah.concerning—the title and subject of the prophecy.Maher-shalal-hash-baz—"They (that is, the Assyrians) hasten to the spoil (namely, to spoil Syria and Samaria), they speed to the prey" [Gesenius]. Otherwise, "The spoil (that is, spoiler) hastens, the rapine speeds forward" [Maurer].

8:1 A roll - Or, a great volume, because the prophecy to be written in it was large, and God would have it written in large and legible characters. Pen - With such a pen as writers use. Concerning - Concerning that thing which is signified by the name of the child, which is here mentioned by way of anticipation.

"\nMoreover the Lord said unto me,.... This is another prophecy, confirming the same thing that was promised in the preceding chapter Isa 7:1; namely, safety to the Jews from the two kings of Syria and Israel, which combined against them:\n\ntake thee a great roll; or volume, a writing book, a roll of parchment, in which form the ancients used to write, Ps 40:7. The Targum renders it, a "table"; a writing table, such an one as Zacharias called for, Lu 1:63 and this was to be a "great" or large one, because much was to be written in it; or what was to be written was to be written in large letters:\n\nand write in it with a man's pen; such as men usually write with; and in such a style and language as may be easily understood by men, even though unlearned; and so clearly and plainly, that he that runs may read; and so the Targum,\n\n"write in it a clear writing;''\n\nvery plain, and explicit, and legible:\n\nconcerning Mahershalalhashbaz; a son of the prophet Isaiah, so called, Isa 8:3 whose name was very significant, and was given him on purpose to express the sudden destruction of the enemies of Judah. The Targum renders it,\n\n"hasten to seize the prey, and to take away the spoil.''\n\nSome translate it, "in hastening the prey, the spoiler hastens"; perhaps it may be better rendered, "hasten to the spoil, hasten to the prey"; as if the words were spoken to the Assyrian monarch, to hasten to the spoil of Damascus and Samaria; and the repetition of the same thing in different words may have respect to the spoils of both, see Isa 8:4 and for the greater confirmation of the thing. Gussetius has a very peculiar fancy about the sense of this text; he observes that \u05d7\u05e8\u05d8, rendered a "pen", signifies some hollow vessel, in which things were put; and supposes that it here designs a man's chest, or some such thing, in which garments might be laid up and reserved: and\n\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9\u05d5\u05df, is the singular of a word used in Isa 3:23, for some sort of luxurious garments wore by women; so that, upon the whole, the reading and sense of the words are, that the prophet is bid to take a large garment of the above sort, and write upon it, putting it into the chest. This for Mahershalalhashbaz; signifying it was to lie there till this child was born; and intimating hereby, that the women, far from battle, would be spoiled of their soft and precious garments, as well as the men be slain in war {m}, though this is more tolerable than the fancy of Huetius {n}, that the whole is an euphemism, in modest terms, expressing the prophet's coition with his wife.\n\n{m} Vid. Comment. Ebr. p. 286. {n} Demonstr. Evangel. prop. 7. parag. 15. p. 352.\n\n\n\n "

8:1-8 The prophet is to write on a large roll, or on a metal tablet, words which meant, Make speed to spoil, hasten to the prey: pointing out that the Assyrian army should come with speed, and make great spoil. Very soon the riches of Damascus and of Samaria, cities then secure and formidable, shall be taken away by the king of Assyria. The prophet pleads with the promised Messiah, who should appear in that land in the fulness of time, and, therefore, as God, would preserve it in the mean time. As a gentle brook is an apt emblem of a mild government, so an overflowing torrent represents a conqueror and tyrant. The invader's success was also described by a bird of prey, stretching its wings over the whole land. Those who reject Christ, will find that what they call liberty is the basest slavery. But no enemy shall pluck the believer out of Emmanuel's hand, or deprive him of his heavenly inheritance.

"\nAnd I took unto me faithful witnesses to record,....