Meaning
Prey pra (baz, Tereph, shalal): "Prey" is frequent in the Old Testament, chiefly as the translation of baz, "spoil," "plunder" (Num 14:3, Num 14:11, Deut 1:39, Isa 10:6, etc.); of Tereph, "prey of wild beasts," "torn thing" (Gen 49:9, Num 23:24, Job 4:11, etc.); of malqoah, "a taking" (Nu 31:11, etc.; Isa 49:24, Isa 49:25); of shalal, "spoil" or "booty" (Jud 5:30 twice; Judg 8:24, Judg 8:25, Isa 10:2, etc.). Maher-shalal-chash-baz (the Revised Version margin "The spoil speedeth, the prey hasteth") was the symbolical name given to a son of Isaiah (Isa 8:1, Isa 8:3). "Prey" does not occur in the New Testament, but is found in the Apoc: Esdras 8:77, "for our sins .... were given up .... for a prey" (pronome); Judith 9:4, 16:5, Macc 7:47, Eccl 27:10 (thera); Judith 5:24 (katabroma).
In the Revised Version (British and American) shalal is generally translated "spoil" (Judg 5:30, Judg 8:24, Judg 8:25, Isa 10:2, etc.), while, conversely, "prey" (noun and verb) is occasionally substituted for "spoil," "booty" (Nu 31:32, ere).
W. L. Walker
