³ Then I ·went to [^Ceuphemism for sexual relations] the prophetess, and she became ·pregnant [conceived] and had a son. The Lord told me, “Name the boy Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz [v. 1], ⁴ because the king of Assyria will ·take away [carry off] the wealth of Damascus and the ·possessions [spoil; plunder] of Samaria before the boy learns to say ‘my father’ or ‘my mother’ [^Cabout age two; the first stage of the destruction, which culminated in 722 bc; see 7:15–16].”

⁵ Again the Lord spoke to me, saying,