Isaiah 8

Isaiah 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 Isaiah 8:4 with Isaiah 7:16 ); implying that the interval till the accomplishment is shorter now than then. The tone of Isaiah 8:17 Isaiah 8:21 Isaiah 8:22 , expresses calamity more immediate and afflictive than Isaiah 7:4 Isaiah 7:15 Isaiah 7:22 .

1. great--suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all.
roll--rather, tablet of wood, metal, or stone ( Isaiah 30:8 , Habakkuk 2:2 ); sometimes coated with wax, upon which characters were traced with a pointed instrument, or iron stylus; skins and papyrus were also used ( Isaiah 19:7 ).
man's pen--that is, in ordinary characters which the humblest can read (so Habakkuk 2:2 ). Hebrew, enosh means a "common man," is contrasted with the upper ranks ( Revelation 21:17 , Romans 3:5 ). Not in hieroglyphics. The object was that, after the event, all might see that it had been predicted by Isaiah.
concerning--the title and subject of the prophecy.
Maher-shalal-hash-baz--"They (that is, the Assyrians) hasten to the spoil (namely, to spoil Syria and Samaria), they speed to the prey" [GESENIUS]. Otherwise, "The spoil (that is, spoiler) hastens, the rapine speeds forward" [MAURER].

2. I took--rather, "The Lord said to me, that I should take," &c. [MAURER].
Uriah--an accomplice of Ahaz in idolatry, and therefore a witness not likely to assist the prophet of God in getting up a prophecy after the event ( 2 Kings 16:10 ). The witnesses were in order that when the event should come, they might testify that the tablet containing the prophecy had been inscribed with it at the time that it professed.
Zechariah--( 2 Chronicles 29:13 ).

3. prophetess--perhaps the same as the "virgin" ( Isaiah 7:14 ), in the interim married as Isaiah's second wife: this is in the primary and temporary sense. Immanuel is even in this sense distinct from Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Thus nineteen months at least intervene from the prophecy ( Isaiah 7:14 ), nine before the birth of Immanuel, and ten from that time to the birth of Maher-shalal-hash-baz: adding eleven or twelve months before the latter could cry, "Father" ( Isaiah 8:4 ), we have about three years in all, agreeing with Isaiah 7:15 Isaiah 7:16 .

4. before, &c.--within a year.

6. waters of Shiloah . . . softly--Their source is on the southeast of Zion and east of Jerusalem. It means "sent," the water being sent through an aqueduct ( John 9:7 ). Figurative for the mild, though now weak, sway of the house of David; in the highest sense Shiloah expresses the benignant sway of Jehovah in the theocracy, administered through David. Contrast to the violent Euphrates, "the river" that typifies Assyria ( Isaiah 8:7 , Revelation 17:15 ). "This people" refers both to Israel, which preferred an alliance with Rezin of Syria to one with the kings of Judah, and to Judah, a party in which seems to have favored the pretentions of the son of Tabeal against David's line ( Isaiah 7:6 ); also to Judah's desire to seek an Assyrian alliance is included in the censure (compare Isaiah 7:17 ). Isaiah 8:14 shows that both nations are meant; both alike rejected the divine Shiloah. Not "My people," as elsewhere, when God expresses favor, but "this people" ( Isaiah 6:9 ).