God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 8:1
1The Lord said to me, “Take a large writing tablet, and write on it with a pen: ‘Maher Shalal Hash Baz’ [The Looting Will Come Quickly; the Prey Will Be Easy].
Isaiah 8:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)The Lord said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then the Lord said to me, "Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, 'Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.'
- New King James Version (NKJV)Moreover the Lord said to me, “Take a large scroll, and write on it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
Context of Isaiah 8:1
The Lord said to me, “Take a large writing tablet, and write on it with a pen: ‘Maher Shalal Hash Baz’ [The Looting Will Come Quickly; the Prey Will Be Easy]. 2I will have these dependable witnesses testify: the priest Uriah and Zechariah (son of Jeberechiah).” 3I slept with the prophet. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. The Lord told me, “Name him Maher Shalal Hash Baz.
Read all of Isaiah 8Isaiah 8:1 word by word
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֵלַ֔י קַח־לְךָ֖ גִּלָּי֣וֹן גָּד֑וֹל וּכְתֹ֤ב עָלָיו֙ בְּחֶ֣רֶט אֱנ֔וֹשׁ לְמַהֵ֥ר שָׁלָ֖ל חָ֥שׁ בַּֽז׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Moreover the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto me, Takeלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
- thee a greatגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- rollגִּלָּיוֹןgillâyôn gilyôn · tabletH1549
- and writeכָּתַבkâthab · to writeH3789
- in it with a man’sאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- penחֶ֫רֶטchereţ · stylusH2747
- concerning Maher–shalal–hash–bazמַהֵר שָׁלָל חָשׁ בַּזmahêr shâlâl châsh baz · Maher-shalal-hash-bazH4122
Cross-references for Isaiah 8:1
- Jeremiah 36:2“Take a scroll, and write on it everything that I have dictated to you about Israel, Judah, and all the other nations from the time I spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today.
- Isaiah 30:8Now, write this on a tablet for them, and inscribe it in a book so that it will be there in the future as a permanent witness.
- Job 19:23“I wish now my words were written. I wish they were inscribed on a scroll.
- Habakkuk 2:2Then the Lord answered me, “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly.
- Revelation 13:18In this situation wisdom is needed. Let the person who has insight figure out the number of the beast, because it is a human number. The beast’s number is 666.
- Revelation 21:17He measured its wall. According to human measurement, which the angel was using, it was 144 cubits.
Commentaries on Isaiah 8:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Take thee a great roll "Take unto thee a large mirror" - The word גליון gillayon is not regularly formed from גלל galal, to roll, but from גלה galah, as פדיון pidyon from פדה padah, כליון killayon from כלה , calah, נקיון nikkayon from נקה nakah, עליון elyon from עלה alah, etc., the י yod supplying the place of the radical ה he . גלה galah signifies to show, to reveal; properly, as Schroederus says, (De Vestitu Mulier. Hebr. p. 294), to render clear and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Take thee a great roll - The word which is here translated roll‘ more properly signifies tablet. So the Chaldee renders it. Those tablets were made of wood, metal, or stone, for the purpose of writing on; see Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2. On these tablets, or smooth plates, writing was performed by cutting the letters with an iron stylus, or small chisel. The process was slow, but the writing was permanent. They sometimes used the skins of animals, or the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Exhortations and warnings. (Is. 8:1-8) Comfort for those who fear God. (Is. 8:9-16) Afflictions to idolaters. (Is. 8:17-22) Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1The name Maher-shalal-hash-baz means “Swift to plunder and quick to carry away.” This name applies to both Judah's enemies (Isaiah 8:4) and Judah itself (8:7–8). Judah trusted Assyria instead of God, and now Assyria would turn against them and nearly destroy them. God was with them (Immanuel; see Isaiah 7:14), but his presence would be harmful if they refused to trust him (see 8:14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-9Is 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 Is 8:4 with Is 7:16); implying that the interval till the accomplishment is shorter now than then. The tone of Is 8:17, 21, 22, expresses calamity more immediate and afflictive than Is 7:4, 15, 22. 1. great--suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all. roll--rather, tablet…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 8:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries