"Zeichen und Sinnbilder"

This thesis examines how the prophets Isaiah's and Hosea's children are made to fulfill a specific prophetic role through their names which reveal the spiritual condition of people. The author explores this remarkable phenomenon and its possible background in Israel's historical traditions and ancient Near Eastern context. He concludes with the theological explanation that these children function primarily as literary figureheads to the people of Israel signifying how JHWH intends to deal with them.