The word spoil (shalal in Hebrew) provides the link between the words on the tablet of verse 1 and the devastation of the kingdoms of Syria and Israel through war with Assyria, predicted in this verse.

For before the child knows how is identical with the beginning of 7.16; see the comments there. However, here the Hebrew particle ki rendered for is a logical connector. This verse explains the meaning of the name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Contemporary English Version and Bible en français courant begin with the connector “Because.”

To cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother’: Cry does not mean “weep” here, but simply “call out [to]” or even “be able to say.” Since father and mother are usually some of the first words spoken by a child, the sense of this verse is that the events hinted at in the child’s name will occur within a year or two of his birth; they will happen soon. This is also implied in his name with the Hebrew participle rendered “Maher,” which means “speeds.” Translators should probably use less formal expressions than My father and My mother since the context is that of a little child addressing his parents. Good News Translation has “Mamma” and “Daddy” (similarly Contemporary English Version), which is an acceptable model.

The wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria: The capital cities, Damascus and Samaria, refer to Syria and Israel respectively (see 7.8-9). Wealth is parallel to spoil, which suggests that the wealth of these two nations was obtained largely by plunder from other nations. Alternatively, it could mean that their wealth will be taken as spoil or war treasure by Assyria, so this clause may be rendered “the wealth of Damascus and Samaria will be taken as spoil by the king of Assyria.” This is what Contemporary English Version implies with “the king of Assyria will attack and take everything of value from Damascus and Samaria.” The phrase before the king of Assyria means the Assyrian king’s troops will carry off the spoil. It may be rendered “by the army of the king of Assyria.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Before the child can say ‘Daddy’ or ‘Mommy,’ the wealth of Damascus and Samaria will be carried away as spoil by the king of Assyria.”

• Before the child is able to speak to his father or mother, all the wealth of Damascus and Samaria will be plundered by the king of Assyria.”

• All the wealth of Damascus and Samaria will be plundered by the Assyrian king even before the child is able to say ‘Father’ or ‘Mother.’”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .