Isaiah 8:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
Moreover the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
Moreover the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גִּלָּי֣וֹן
roll
H1549
גִּלָּי֣וֹן
roll
Strong's:
H1549
Word #:
6 of 15
a tablet for writing (as bare); by analogy, a mirror (as a plate)
גָּד֑וֹל
thee a great
H1419
גָּד֑וֹל
thee a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
7 of 15
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּכְתֹ֤ב
and write
H3789
וּכְתֹ֤ב
and write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
8 of 15
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 30:8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:Isaiah 8:3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.Revelation 21:17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.Revelation 13:18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.Jeremiah 36:2Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.Jeremiah 36:32Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.Jeremiah 36:28Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
Historical Context
Written around 735-732 BC during the Syro-Ephraimite crisis. Public records served as legal witnesses in ancient Near Eastern culture. The tablet would be displayed prominently, likely in the temple courts. This occurred when Syria and Israel allied against Judah, attempting to force Ahaz into their anti-Assyrian coalition. Within three years, as prophesied, both Damascus and Samaria fell to Tiglath-Pileser III (732 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use tangible, public signs to strengthen faith and confirm His word?
- What is the importance of proclamation and public witness in spreading God's truth?
- How does God's control over historical events demonstrate His sovereignty and faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God commands Isaiah to create a public legal document as a prophetic witness. The 'great roll' (large tablet or scroll) and 'man's pen' (ordinary writing) emphasize public accessibility—this prophecy would be clearly visible to all. The name 'Mahershalalhashbaz' means 'speed the spoil, hasten the prey,' prophesying Syria and Israel's imminent defeat by Assyria. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations and His use of prophetic signs to authenticate His word. The public nature reflects the Reformed principle that God's word must be proclaimed openly.