The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 157

EXPOSITION. CHAPTER VIII. with the pen used by ordinary men "-in Vers.1-4.-TBE SIGNOFMAHER-SHALAL- opposition to the implements of an engraver. RASH-BAZ. The sign of Immanuel was re- The tablet was probably to be hang np to view in a public place (comp. eh. xxx. 8), so condite. In its more epiri tual sense it that all might read, and the writing was appealed to faith in an event far diste.nt. therefore to be snoh as was in ordinary use. Even in its literal import, it was not calcu- Conoeming Me.her-she.Ie.1-hash-baz. These le.ted to cheer and encourage more than a were the words which were to be written on few, since neither the maiden nor the ohild the tablet, which was to be otherwise left blank. They would naturally excite curi- was pointed out with any distinctness. A osity, like the strange names placarded in fresh sign we.s therefore given by God's modem streets. The ne.me is literally, goodness to reassure the mass of the people " Plunder speeds, spoil hastens." It has -e. sign about which there was noth.i.ng been imitated by Goethe iu his" He.bebald- obscure or diffioult. Isaiah himself should Eilebeute "(' Faust,' act iv. so. 3). Ver. 2.-And I took unto me ; rather, and have e. son born to him almost immediately, I will ha11e taken for me. It is still God to whom he should give a name indicating who is speaking. Uriah the priest. Pro- the rapid approaoh of the spoiler, and before bably the high priest of the time, mentioned this child should be able to utter the first in 2 Kings xvi. 10-16, as the ready tool of words which childhood ordinarily pro- Ahaz at a later date. Though a bad man, he may have been e. trustworthy witness to nounces, "Father," "Mother," Damasous a fact. Zeoharie.h. Perhaps the father of nnd Se.maria sho•ld be despoiled. Abi or Abijah, Ahe.z's queen(2 Kingsmii. Ver. 1.-Take thee a great roll; re.ther, a 2; 2 Chron. xx.i.x. 1). It would serve to call large tablet. The word is the same as that publio !\ttention still more to the tablet, if used for "mirror" in oh. iii. 23. Write in it bore the names of two suoh emiuent it with a man's pen; i.e. "write upon it pel'BOnB as witnesses. JBAIAtt, L 146 THE BOOK OF THE· PROPHET ISAIAH. [ CH. Vlll. 1-22,