SIGN AND PORTENT — the technical pair for a prophet's ACTED message, where the man himself, or his family, or something he does becomes the oracle. Isaiah says it outright: 'I and the children whom Jehovah has given me are for SIGNS AND PORTENTS in Israel' (8:18) — his sons are named Shear-Yashub, 'a remnant will return,' and Maher-shalal-hash-baz. ⚠ HOSEA'S THREE CHILDREN are the fullest example: Jezreel, Lo-Ruchamah and Lo-Ammi are three sentences of judgment walking around a village for a decade. The same category covers Ezekiel lying on his side, Jeremiah's ruined loincloth and unbroken yoke, and Isaiah walking barefoot for three years. → first discussed at Hosea 1:4