This article may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. (February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

"Maher-shalal-hash-baz"[a] was the second prophetic name mentioned in Isaiah chapter 8[2]–9.

Biblical accounts

The name is mentioned twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in the Book of Isaiah chapter 8:[3]

Isaiah 8:1

Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.[4]

Isaiah 8:3

And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bore a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.[5]

Analysis

The child Maher-shalal-hash-baz is the second prophetic-name child after the birth of Immanuel – traditionally[according to whom?] understood as the son of Abi the bride of king Ahaz, i.e., the future king Hezekiah, by many Jewish commentators[which?], or of another woman. The phrases maher-shalal and hash-baz are synonymous, both meaning approximately "quickly to the plunder". The name Maher-shalal-hash-baz is a reference to the impending plunder of Samaria and Damascus by the king of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser III (734–732 BCE).

Hebrew Transliteration English
מַהֵר‎ ma-hēr hurry or quickly
שָׁלָל‎ šā-lāl loot, spoils, booty
חָשׁ‎ ḥāš he hurries or he hurried
בַּז‎‎ baz prey, spoils

This is often counted the longest name (and word) used in the Bible, though a possible longer name-phrase in Isaiah is found in Isaiah 9:5 "called Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom"[6][7]

The section is also quoted in the Book of Mormon.[8]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ /ˌmeɪhər ʃælæl ˈhæʃ bɑːz/;[1] Hebrew: מַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּז, Mahēr šālāl ḥāš baz – "Hurry to the spoils!" or "He has made haste to the plunder!"

References

  1. ^ churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «mā´her—shăl-ăl—hăsh´bäz»
  2. ^ Isaiah 8:1–3
  3. ^ Strong's Concordance, Hebrew Word 4122. Maher Shalal Chash Baz. Biblehub
  4. ^ Isaiah 8:1 KJV
  5. ^ Isaiah 8:3 KJV
  6. ^ Joseph Herman Hertz, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, 1968. "This clearly indicates that the 'crown prince' is the person referred to. pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom. i.e. Wonderful in counsel is God the mighty, the Everlasting Father, the Ruler of Peace (Rashi and Luzzatto)."
  7. ^ James R. Beck Jesus & personality theory: exploring the five-factor model p11 1999 "When translators come to Isaiah 9:6, they could also leave the name of the promised Messiah in its transliterated state, in which case the name would be even longer than that of Isaiah 8:1: Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom."
  8. ^ 2 Nephi 18:1–4.

External links

Book of Isaiahספר ישעיהו‎Sefer YeshayahuLiber Isaiae
Categories