For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
Before the boy can say "Father" or "Mother," Assyria will carry off Damascus's wealth and Samaria's spoil.
This verse links the child's infancy to the imminent fall of Judah's northern enemies.
1Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 2And I will appoint for Myself trustworthy witnesses— Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.” 3And I had relations with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 4For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.” 5And the LORD spoke to me further: 6“Because this people has rejected 7the Lord will surely bring against them 8It will pour into Judah, 9Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; 10Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted;