Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz
TextsWhat is the meaning of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz in the Bible?
A prophetic name given to the son of Isaiah and his wife, translating from Hebrew as 'quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil'.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
The name functions as a literary device in the Book of Isaiah to signal the imminent military defeat of the allied kingdoms of Aram and Israel, helping readers recognize how ancient prophetic literature used personal names to convey geopolitical warnings.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/mahershalalhashbaz/