Isaiah 8:3 - Printer Friendly

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;

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.

NASB: So I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. Then the Lord said to me, 'Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz;

CSB: I was then intimate with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The Lord said to me, "Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz,

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.

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

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;

The sequence of events recorded in this passage is as follows: In the presence of two witnesses, Isaiah obeys the voice of the Lord and writes a specific name on a signboard (Isaiah 8:1). Then he goes home and sleeps with his wife, who is called a prophetess. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son.

Some commentators speculate whether Isaiah's first wife had died or that this prophetess is an additional wife. In the previous chapter, which clearly speaking of these same events, Isaiah referred to the woman who would bear this son as a "virgin." This leads to an understanding that she was unmarried at the time (Isaiah 7:14). If that is the case, Isaiah only now takes her as his wife and sleeps with her. This is still consistent with Matthew's application of Isaiah 7:14 to Mary and the birth of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:20–22). Bible scholars call this a "double fulfillment."

It is possible the woman was called a prophetess because she was married to a prophet. Commentators say it is more likely that she also prophesied in Judah on behalf of the Lord. Female prophets are found throughout the Old Testament so this would not come as a surprise to the people of Judah (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; Nehemiah 6:14).

Once the boy is born, the Lord tells Isaiah to call the boy the name that he had earlier written on the sign. The boy is the fulfillment of the prophecy built into his name, which translates to "speeding to the plunder, hurrying to the spoil." As well as the continuation of the prophecy of the destruction that the king of Assyria would soon bring into the region.

In Isaiah 7, the prophet had told King Ahaz the baby would be called Immanuel, which means "God with us." The baby was likely called by both names. The name "Immanuel" will come up once more later in this chapter (Isaiah 8:8). This fulfillment of prophecy through the child's birth served as evidence of "God with us."

Isaiah 8:1–10 continues the prophetic tone of Isaiah 7. The Lord tells Isaiah to write a name on a sign in front of prominent witnesses. Then Isaiah gives that name to a newborn son. Before that son is old enough to speak, Syria and Israel will be wiped out by Assyria. Assyria will then bring destruction to Judah. This is compared to a mighty river flooding over its banks. In poetry, Isaiah tells the people of Judah that their preparations for war will be meaningless and that they will be shattered.

Isaiah 8 begins with the Lord telling Isaiah to write a name on a large sign. Then Isaiah conceives a son, with a woman referred to as the "prophetess," likely his wife. The son is given the name on the sign. Before the son can speak, Judah's enemies will be wiped out by Assyria. Assyria will then bring destruction on Judah. Isaiah must not live in fear and dread as the people do. They will stumble over the stone of the Lord instead of trusting in Him. Isaiah will continue to hope in the Lord. Those who reject God's truth will live in darkness.

The prior chapter included a famous prophecy regarding the virgin birth of Jesus. Isaiah 8 continues to prophesy about the coming destruction of Judah's current enemies: Syria and Israel. Isaiah has a son whose name he has written on a sign. Before that son is old enough to talk, Assyria will destroy Judah's enemies and then bring destruction into Judah. The Lord warns Isaiah to honor God, not live in fear. The people will reject God as their foundation, falling into further sin. But Isaiah declares that he and his family will continue to point toward God's faithfulness. Those who reject God's revelation will live in and frustration and despair. This sets up additional prophecies which connect to the ministry of Christ.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).