Isaiah 48:9

9 For my name’s sake I will remove my wrath far off: and for my praise I will bridle thee, lest thou shouldst perish.

Isaiah 48:9 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 48:9

For my name's sake will I defer mine anger
From age to age, for those sins which had been committed, and continued in ever since they were a people. The above account of them shows that it was not for any merits of theirs, or any works of righteousness done by them, that he showed favour to them, as afterwards expressed; but for his own name's sake, and because of his glory; because these people were called by his name, and said to be his people, lest therefore his name should be reproached among the Heathen, or he should suffer any diminution of his glory, therefore he did not at once stir up all his wrath, as their sins deserved, but prolonged it from time to time: and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off:
that is, refrain mine anger from thee; or "seal" or "stop my nostrils" {c}, that the smoke of his wrath and anger might not go out from thence to destroy them. The Targum is,

``I will confirm (or establish) thee, that I may not consume thee;''
and this he would do, because of his praise, of the praise of his mercy, grace, and goodness; and that he might have a people to praise him, which he would not, should they be cut off.
FOOTNOTES:

F3 (Kl M xa) "obstruam sive". "obturabo nares tibi", Malvenda, Gataker; so Jarchi.

Isaiah 48:9 In-Context

7 They are created now, and not of old: and before the day, when thou heardest them not, lest thou shouldst say: Behold I knew them.
8 Thou hast neither heard, nor known, neither was thy ear opened of old. For I know that transgressing thou wilt transgress, and I have called thee a transgressor from the womb.
9 For my name’s sake I will remove my wrath far off: and for my praise I will bridle thee, lest thou shouldst perish.
10 Behold I have refined thee, but not as silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of poverty.
11 For my own sake, for my own sake will I do it, that I may not be blasphemed: and I will not give my glory to another.
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