Isaiah 8:1
Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
Isaiah 8:1 belongs to the first section of Isaiah, which contains the prophecies and historical accounts from the period when Isaiah was active in public affairs of the nation. It was spoken during the reign of King Ahaz as a distinct prophecy given on a particular occasion. Its chapter deals with Ahaz and his stubbornness. Together with chapter 7 it shows the condition of sin and darkness that held God's people at that time.
The verse begins a sign prophecy concerning the coming ruin of Damascus and Samaria by the king of Assyria. The name Maher-shalal-hash-baz written in it is the longest name in the Bible. It means that the spoil speeds and the prey hastens. The age of the child bearing that name marks the short time, probably about three years, before the predicted conquest would take place.
Even in that darkness the passage holds rays of light and hope for the future. Chapters 7 through 9 use this setting of Ahaz and his stubbornness as the basis for prophecy about the coming Deliverer, Christ. The chapter gives most emphatic warning against religious confederacies. Just as military alliances prepared the nations for the great European conflict, religious confederacies prepare the religious world for Armageddon.