Isa 8:1-2, Jer 19:10 | JFB | e4.org | 1. great —suitable, for letters large enough to be read by all. roll —rather, tablet of wood, metal, or stone ( ); sometimes coated with wax, upon which characters were traced with a pointed instrument, or iron stylus; skins and papyrus were also used ( ). man's pen —that is, in ordinary characters which the humblest can read (so ). Hebrew, enosh means a "common man," is contrasted with the upper ranks ( ). 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 ].

‏ Isaiah 8:1-2

1. 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 (Re 21:17; Ro 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 (2Ki 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— (2Ch 29:13).

‏ Jeremiah 19:10

10. break . . . bottle—a symbolical action, explained in Jer 19:11.

the men—the elders of the people and of the priests (Jer 19:1; compare Jer 51:63, 64).