Isaiah 48:9

KJV

¶ For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.

KJV (with Strong's)

For my name's {H8034} sake will I defer {H748} mine anger {H639}, and for my praise {H8416} will I refrain {H2413} for thee, that I cut thee not off {H3772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yet for the sake of my own reputation I am deferring my anger; for the sake of my praise I am patient with you, so as not to cut you off.

Berean Standard Bible

For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off.

American Standard Version

For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 48:9 reveals God's profound mercy and unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel, despite their persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. Rather than unleashing His deserved wrath and utterly destroying them, God declares His sovereign decision to defer His anger and restrain His judgment. This divine restraint is not based on Israel's merit or righteousness, but solely on God's own intrinsic character, His holy name, and His ultimate desire for His praise to be made known throughout the earth. It underscores His faithfulness to His eternal purposes and His determination to preserve a remnant for His glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 48:9 is strategically placed within the latter half of the book of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), often referred to as the "Book of Consolation" or "Second Isaiah." This section primarily addresses the exiles in Babylon, offering hope and promises of restoration. However, before delivering comfort, God meticulously confronts Israel's deep-seated rebellion, idolatry, and spiritual deafness, as detailed in [Isaiah 48:1-8](/isaiah/48-1 "Isaiah 48:1-8 - Israel's Stubbornness and Idolatry"). The preceding verses highlight their hypocrisy, claiming allegiance to God while practicing idolatry. Against this backdrop of human failure, verse 9 emerges as a pivotal declaration of God's unilateral grace, explaining *why* He has not utterly consumed them despite their deserving judgment. It sets the stage for the subsequent promises of deliverance and the unveiling of God's redemptive plan through the Suffering Servant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for this prophetic message is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national humiliation and spiritual crisis for Israel. Having been conquered and deported, many Israelites questioned God's power and faithfulness, or assimilated into the idolatrous culture of Babylon. The cultural context of the ancient Near East often saw a nation's god as being defeated when its people were conquered. Isaiah 48:9 directly counters this notion, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and His active control over historical events, including Israel's captivity. Furthermore, the concept of acting "for my name's sake" was deeply significant; a name represented one's character, reputation, and authority. For God to act for His name's sake meant upholding His divine honor and demonstrating His unique identity as the one true God, distinct from the impotent idols of Babylon.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Glory**, revealing that His ultimate motivation for action is the vindication of His own character and the display of His unparalleled power, not human merit. This is a recurring theme, seen also in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God Acts for His Holy Name's Sake"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Patience and Mercy**, demonstrating God's remarkable forbearance in withholding the full measure of His just wrath. Despite Israel's persistent provocation, God's nature is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love," a truth echoed in [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion and Mercy"). Finally, the verse underscores **God's Unwavering Covenant Faithfulness and the Preservation of Israel**. His promise "that I cut thee not off" reinforces His commitment to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring the continued existence of His chosen people and the eventual fulfillment of His redemptive plan, which includes the coming of the Messiah, as foreshadowed throughout Isaiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **name's (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** This word signifies more than a mere appellation; it encompasses God's entire character, reputation, authority, and honor. When God acts "for my name's sake," it means He acts to uphold His intrinsic nature, to demonstrate His unique divine attributes, and to ensure His glory is recognized. His actions are not contingent on human worthiness but on His own unchanging being.
* **defer (Hebrew, _ʼârak'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be long" or "to make long," this term implies a deliberate stretching out or prolonging of time before acting. In this context, it refers to God's intentional decision to lengthen the period before His anger fully erupts, signifying His patience and forbearance rather than immediate, deserved judgment.
* **cut thee not off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This powerful verb means "to cut off, down, or asunder," and by implication, "to destroy or consume." It is also famously used for "making a covenant" (literally, cutting flesh and passing between pieces). Here, in the negative, it signifies God's absolute commitment to prevent the utter destruction or complete annihilation of Israel. It underscores His covenant faithfulness, ensuring the preservation of His people despite their egregious sins, so that His larger redemptive plan can unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For my name's sake will I defer mine anger":** This clause establishes God's primary motivation for His actions. His decision to withhold immediate, devastating judgment is not a response to Israel's repentance or merit, but is entirely rooted in His own divine character and reputation. To act otherwise, to utterly destroy His chosen people, would seemingly contradict His promises or diminish His glory in the eyes of the nations. Thus, His patience is a demonstration of His self-consistency and sovereignty.
* **"and for my praise will I refrain for thee":** This second clause reinforces the divine motivation through synonymous parallelism. "For my praise" reiterates that God's ultimate goal is His own glorification. His restraint is an act that will ultimately bring Him honor and recognition. The word "refrain" (from _châṭam_, to stop or restrain) emphasizes God's deliberate control over His righteous indignation, a conscious choice to hold back the deserved punishment for Israel's benefit.
* **"that I cut thee not off":** This final clause states the direct consequence and purpose of God's deferral and refraining. The ultimate aim of His mercy is the preservation of Israel. Despite their rebellion, God will not allow them to be utterly annihilated or removed from His covenant people. This promise is a powerful affirmation of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring the continuity of His people through whom His redemptive plan for humanity would ultimately be realized.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 48:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, particularly **synonymous parallelism**, where "For my name's sake will I defer mine anger" is echoed and reinforced by "and for my praise will I refrain for thee." This repetition emphasizes the singular, divine motivation behind God's actions. **Anthropomorphism** is also evident in the portrayal of God having "anger" and being able to "defer" or "refrain" it, attributing human emotions and actions to God to make His divine attributes comprehensible to a human audience. Furthermore, the phrase "cut thee not off" utilizes **covenant language**, referencing the solemnity and binding nature of God's commitment to Israel, even when they break their side of the covenant. The entire verse serves as a powerful **declaration of divine grace**, contrasting God's unmerited favor with Israel's unworthiness, thereby magnifying God's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 48:9 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of God's grace and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes. It profoundly illustrates that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon human performance, but is rooted in His own immutable character and His ultimate desire for His glory to be revealed. This verse teaches us that even in the face of profound human sin and rebellion, God's love and covenant promises prevail, driven by His self-exalting love for His own name. It challenges any notion of human merit as the basis for divine favor, instead pointing to God's sovereign initiative in preserving His people for the sake of His overarching plan of salvation.

* [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God Acts for His Holy Name's Sake")
* [Psalm 103:8-10](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8-10 - The Lord's Compassion and Steadfast Love")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Come to an End")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 48:9 offers profound comfort and a vital reorientation for believers today. It reminds us that our standing before God, our preservation, and our hope are not dependent on our flawless obedience or consistent righteousness, but entirely on God's unchanging character and His commitment to His own glory. This truth should humble us, fostering deep gratitude for His unmerited favor, and free us from the burden of earning His love. When we falter, as Israel did, we can find solace in knowing that God's patience is immense and His mercies are new every morning. This divine patience should also inspire us to extend similar grace, forbearance, and forgiveness to others, reflecting the very character of the God we worship. Ultimately, resting in God's sovereign purpose, which He accomplishes for His own name's sake, provides an unshakable foundation for faith, even amidst personal failures or global turmoil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's motivation (His name's sake) deepen your trust in Him, especially during times of personal failure or when you feel unworthy?**
* **In what specific ways can you apply God's patience and restraint, as described in this verse, to your relationships with family, friends, or even adversaries?**
* **How does this verse challenge any tendency you might have to rely on your own performance or merit for God's approval, rather than resting in His sovereign grace?**

### FAQ
**Why does God act "for my name's sake" instead of purely for humanity's merit?**

Answer: God acts "for my name's sake" (or "for my praise") primarily because He is the ultimate reality and the source of all goodness. His glory is not an egoistic demand but the highest good, the revelation of His perfect character. If God were to act solely based on human merit, His actions would be inconsistent and ultimately limited by our fluctuating obedience. By acting for His name's sake, He ensures that His faithfulness, power, and love are consistently displayed, revealing His unchanging nature. This also prevents humanity from boasting in its own righteousness, directing all praise and honor back to the one true God, as seen in passages like [Romans 3:27](/romans/3-27 "Romans 3:27 - No Room for Boasting"). It underscores that salvation and preservation are gifts of His grace, not wages earned.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 48:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "anger" that God defers and the "cutting off" that He refrains from inflicting upon His people were fully absorbed and averted through the sacrificial death of His Son. God's commitment to His "name's sake" and "praise" culminates in the cross, where His righteousness and love are perfectly demonstrated. In Christ, God's holiness, which demands judgment for sin, is upheld, while His mercy, which desires to preserve, is lavishly poured out. Jesus became the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world, so that those who believe in Him would not be cut off but have eternal life, as beautifully articulated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"). Through His atoning work, God's name is glorified, and His praise is magnified, as He reconciles a rebellious humanity to Himself, not based on their merit, but solely on the perfect sacrifice of His Son. The new covenant established in Christ ensures that God's people, now defined by faith in Him, will never be utterly cut off, but are eternally preserved for His glory, becoming a people for His own possession, to proclaim His praises ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 106:8

Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Psalms 78:38

But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

Psalms 143:11

Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Psalms 79:9

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

Isaiah 37:35

For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Psalms 103:8

The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Psalms 103:10

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.