Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.
Ver. 1. Take thee a great roll.] Or, Volume; so called either because it was rolled up together like the web upon the pin; or, as others, because it revealeth that unto us which otherwise we knew not. Blasphemous was that jeer of the Jews who called the evangel or gospel Aven gillaion, a volume of vanity. And no better was that of Bishop Bonner's chaplain, who called the Bible, that blessed book, in scorn, his "little pretty God's book." This one small piece of it is here styled grande volumen, a great roll, for the fulness of the matter in fewness of words.
And write in it with a man's pen.] That is, plainly and clearly, a that when it shall be fastened to the gate of the temple, or some way else be exposed to public view, "he that runneth may read it," Hab 2:2 and he that readeth may understand it. And not be so written as that was, Daniel 5:5 ; Dan 5:7 which none could read and unriddle but the prophet himself. Nor be, as Aristotle's Acroamatics, published and yet unpublished. b
Concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.] Make speed to the spoil, hasten the prey; words whereby God calleth the King of Assyria out of his country to take the spoil speedily of Syria and Samaria; both which groaned for his coming, and hanged for his mowing. This was afterwards given for a name to Isaiah's newly born babe, viz., at his circumcision; and that before two sufficient witnesses, who might attest both the child's name and the reason of it, which the prophet likely told them. Such another compound name was Shear-jashub, Isa 7:3 Zorobabel, Hagio-Christophorites, &c, and among us Keep-Sabbath, Hope-still, &c.
a Chald. vertit Scripturam claram see Isa 30:8
b Eκδεδομενος και ουκ εκδεδομενος