Isaiah 64:12

12 Wilt Thou refrain Thyself for these things, O LORD? Wilt Thou hold Thy peace and afflict us very sore?

Isaiah 64:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 64:12

Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord?
&c.] From delivering us out of our troubles and miseries, and taking vengeance on our enemies, and showing thy zeal for thine own glory; or, as Kimchi paraphrases it,

``how canst thou contain thyself for these things, and not have mercy?''

how canst thou bear to see Judea, and all its cities, a wilderness; Jerusalem, and the temple of it, in ruins? wilt thou hold thy peace?
or, "be silent"; and not plead thine own cause, and the cause of thy people? and afflict us very sore?
exceedingly, even to extremity; or for ever, as the Targum, thinking it long, as well as heavy. Jerom observes, that the Jews say these words in their synagogues every day; which show that they look upon this prophecy to respect their present case.

Isaiah 64:12 In-Context

10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.

11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with fire; and all our pleasant things are laid waste.

12 Wilt Thou refrain Thyself for these things, O LORD? Wilt Thou hold Thy peace and afflict us very sore?