Isaiah 8:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God commands Isaiah to write a name on a tablet as a public sign of coming judgment.
The Context of Isaiah 8:1
Isaiah begins his account of a divine instruction to create a visible sign announcing coming political upheaval.
What Does Isaiah 8:1 Mean?
Isaiah receives a direct command from the Lord to take a large scroll and write upon it the name Mahershalalhashbaz—a symbolic name meaning 'speed the spoil, hasten the prey.' This writing is not a private journal but a public declaration, inscribed with a human stylus for all to see.
The act of writing this unusual name serves as a sign. When the name becomes visible in Jerusalem, it will announce that God is moving swiftly toward judgment. Writing the word makes it official, memorable, and undeniable—a physical testimony that God's word precedes the events it predicts.
Isaiah 8:1 in the Original Language
Mahershalalhashbaz (מהר שלל חוש בז), literally 'haste to the spoil/prey'—a name combining speed, plunder, and divine certainty of outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 8:1
What does Isaiah 8:1 mean?
God commands Isaiah to write a name on a tablet as a public sign of coming judgment.
What is the context of Isaiah 8:1?
Isaiah begins his account of a divine instruction to create a visible sign announcing coming political upheaval.