Isaiah 48:9

9 "For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off.

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, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, 'Behold, I knew them.'
8 You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would deal very treacherously, and that from birth you were called a rebel.
9 "For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off.
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.