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

Biblical accounts

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

Isaiah 8:1

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

Isaiah 8:3

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

Analysis

The child Maher-shalal-hash-baz is the second prophetic-name child after the birth of Immanuel – traditionally understood as the son of Abi the bride of king Ahaz, i.e., the future king Hezekiah, by many Jewish commentators, 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).

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Hebrew

!Transliteration

!English

|-

| align="right" |

|ma-hēr

|hurry or quickly

|-

| align="right" |

|šā-lāl

|loot, spoils, booty

|-

| align="right" |

|ḥāš

|he hurries or he hurried

|-

| align="right" |

|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 "called Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom".

The section is also quoted in the Book of Mormon.

The actor Mahershala Ali was named Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore at his birth.

See also

  • Isaiah

Notes

References

  • Complete Bible Genealogy
  • The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, New International Version, 1990, pg. 765.