Biblical Hebrew Forum

["nick lunn" <nick_lunn AT wycliffe.org>]

     Dear All,
     
     In Isaiah 8:1-3 we read of this prophetic name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz, 
     being given to the son of the prophet. It means, 'The prey hastens, 
     the spoil quickens', or something similar.
     
     It is of note that basically the same thing is said twice. The 
     prophecy in question, relating back to chapter 7, concerns the 
     forthcoming overthrow of Damascus and Samaria at the hands of the 
     Assyrians. It seems reasonable to suppose that the prediction consists 
     of a double statement in that there will be a double judgment. If this 
     is so, then could it also be said that 'Maher-shalal' is Hebrew, 
     pertaining to Samaria, and 'hash-baz' is Aramaic (or maybe 
     'Aramaizing' Hebrew) relating to Damascus?
     
     Nick Lunn
     Wycliffe Bible Translators
     Kenya