Isa 8:1 | JFB | STEP | 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

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].