Isaiah 8:1

“Moreover the Lord said unto me, &c.] This is another prophecy, confirming the same thing that was promised in the preceding chapter (<230701>Isaiah 7:1-25); namely, safety to the Jews from the two kings of Syria and Israel, which combined against them: take thee a great roll; or volume, a writing book, a roll of parchment, in which form the ancients used to write, (<194007>Psalm 40:7). The Targum renders it, a “table”; a writing table, such an one as Zacharias called for, (<420163>Luke 1:63) and this was to be a “great” or large one, because much was to be written in it; or what was to be written was to be written in large letters: and write in it with a man’s pen; such as men usually write…”

“(Isa. 8:1-9:7) great--suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all. roll--rather, tablet of wood, metal, or stone (Isa 30:8; Hab 2:2); sometimes coated with wax, upon which characters were traced with a pointed instrument, or iron stylus; skins and papyrus were also used (Isa 19:7). man's pen--that is, in ordinary characters which the humblest can read (so Hab 2:2). Hebrew, enosh means a "common man," is contrasted with the upper ranks (Rev 21:17; Rom 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…”

“Take thee a great roll - The word which is here translated ‘roll’ more properly signifies tablet. So the Chaldee renders it. Those tablets were made of wood, metal, or stone, for the purpose of writing on; see Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2. On these tablets, or smooth plates, writing was performed by cutting the letters with an iron stylus, or small chisel. The process was slow, but the writing was permanent. They sometimes used the skins of animals, or the bark of trees, and subsequently the papyrus of Egypt (compare the note at Isaiah 19:7); and it is possible that Isaiah may have used such a roll or volume on this occasion; compare Isaiah 8:16. With a man’s pen - The word “pen” here (חרט…”

“A roll - Or, a great volume, because the prophecy to be written in it was large, and God would have it written in large and legible characters. Pen - With such a pen as writers use. Concerning - Concerning that thing which is signified by the name of the child, which is here mentioned by way of anticipation. Isaiah 8:3”

“8:1 The meaning of the name Maher-shalal-hash-baz (“Swift to plunder and quick to carry away”) applies both to Judah’s enemies (8:4) and to Judah itself (8:7-8). They had trusted Assyria in place of God, and now Assyria would turn on them and all but destroy them. God was with them (Immanuel; see 7:14), but his presence would be destructive if they refused to trust in him (see 8:14).”

“Take thee: Jer 36:2, Jer 36:28, Jer 36:32 write: Isa 30:8; Job 19:23, Job 19:24; Hab 2:2, Hab 2:3 a man's pen: Rev 13:18, Rev 21:17, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, Heb. in making speed to the spoil, he hasteneth the prey, Or, Make speed, etc. hasten, etc Isaiah 8:2”

“In the midst of the Syro-Ephraimitish war, which was not yet at an end, Isaiah received instructions from God to perform a singular prophetic action. "Then Jehovah said to me, Take a large slab, and write upon it with common strokes, 'In Speed Spoil, Booty hastens;' and I will take to me trustworthy witnesses, Uriyah the priest, and Zecharyahu the son of Yeberechyahu." The slab or table (cf., Isa 3:23, where the same word is used to signify a metal mirror) was to be large, to produce the impression of a monument; and the writing upon it was to be "a man's pen" (Cheret 'enōsh), i.e., written in the vulgar, and, so to speak, popular character, consisting of inartistic strokes that could be…”