8:1–2 The Lord instructs Isaiah to write a message on a large writing surface (not a “scroll” as in NIV), presumably so that many people can plainly see it. In 3:23 this large surface is a “mirror,” but here it must refer to a polished surface of stone or metal that will clearly reveal the message that Isaiah will write. He is to write the words “to/concerning Mahal-shalal-hash-baz” with an “ordinary pen,” and have his writing witnessed by two people. The two witnesses, as required by Hebrew law (Deut 17:6; 19:15), include Uriah, one of Ahaz’s trusted priests (2 Kgs 16:10), and Zechariah, the father of Ahaz’s wife Abijah (2 Kgs 18:2). These men were probably not supporters of Isaiah. Rather they are most likely hostile witnesses that even Isaiah’s enemies would believe. These men could testify to the people in Judah exactly what Isaiah wrote and when he wrote it. The text does not say if Isaiah explained what these words meant to his witnesses. In fact, at this point there is no reason to believe that Isaiah knew that this would be the name of a new son. The text does not indicate what was to be done with this large tablet over the next several months. Apparently God wanted Isaiah to be able to return to these witnesses, after the child was born and given this name, and ask them to count back the days and witness that Isaiah wrote this approximately nine months earlier.