Isaiah 48:11
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The repetition of "for my own sake" isn't just emphasis; it highlights that God's actions are driven by the absolute necessity of preserving His own character and reputation. He can't allow His name to be profaned or His glory to be attributed to anyone else, as this would contradict His very being.
God is about to reveal his mighty plan of delivering his people from exile in Babylon. He's been speaking to them about their unfaithfulness and how their actions dishonor Him, but now He emphasizes that His ultimate motivation for their salvation isn't their merit, but His own honor. This divine declaration underscores that His actions are driven by His character and reputation, ensuring His name is not profaned and His glory remains His alone.
Why does God repeat Himself here? What does this emphatic statement reveal about His motivations?
Isaiah 48:11 begins with a powerful, repeated declaration: "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it." This isn't just poetic emphasis; it points to the ultimate reason for God's actions.
God's Primary Concern: His Name and Glory
The verse explains why it's for His own sake: "for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another." God's deepest concern is the integrity of His own name and the preservation of His glory. This isn't about ego; it's about the reality of who He is and the truth of His power and faithfulness.
When God's people fail to live up to their calling, they can bring reproach upon His name. Idolatry, in particular, is seen as giving God's glory to others (idols), which is an unbearable offense to Him. Therefore, God intervenes, not primarily for the sake of His people's immediate comfort, but to uphold His own honor and demonstrate His true identity. It’s a declaration that His reputation is paramount.
What does it mean for God's name to be 'profaned,' and how does He act to prevent it?
The phrase "for how should my name be profaned?" (or 'desecrated,' 'blasphemed') reveals a crucial aspect of God's character and actions. It implies that the continued actions or circumstances of His people could lead to others speaking evil of Him.
The Accusation Against God
When God's chosen people fall into sin or face judgment, especially if they are captured by other nations, those nations might mock God. They could say:
This is a direct attack on God's power, faithfulness, and very nature. It's a defamation that God cannot and will not tolerate.
God's Action as Vindication
Understand the original words
shem · Hebrew Noun
The reputation and essential character of God; it represents His revealed presence, authority, and the honor due to Him by all creation. To profane it is to treat it as common or to falsely associate it with something unworthy.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The manifestation of God's majesty, holiness, and divine presence. It is the inherent weight and brilliance of His being that belongs to Him alone and cannot be shared with idols or created things.
This passage emerges from the deep trauma of the Babylonian exile. God's people had been exiled because they profaned His name through idolatry and disobedience. Now, as God promises their return and restoration, He emphasizes that this act of salvation is not for their merit but for His own glory. He will not allow His name to be associated with failure or be given to other gods, proving His unique power and faithfulness despite His people's failings.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its citizens and scattering them. This event serves as a stark warning about divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon conquers Judah. The first wave of exiles, including young men of noble birth like Daniel, are taken to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
After a rebellion, more Judeans are deported to Babylon, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. This event further solidifies Babylonian dominance.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, the center of Israelite worship and national identity. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, marking a low point for the nation.
This passage echoes the sentiment of divine exclusivity by stating God will not tolerate rivals, directly relating to Isaiah's declaration that His glory will not be given to another.
Psalm 115:1This psalm addresses the potential for God's name to be profaned, asking 'Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”' This aligns with Isaiah's concern about His name being polluted.
Isaiah 42:8This verse is a direct parallel, stating 'I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I will not give to another.' It reinforces the core message of Isaiah 48:11 about God's unique identity and indivisible glory.
Ezekiel 36:22-23Here, God declares He will act for the sake of His holy name, which the people of Israel had profaned. This resonates with Isaiah's assertion that His actions are 'for my own sake' to prevent His name from being polluted.
barnesIsaiah 48:11: "For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another."
For mine own sake - (See Isaiah 48:9 ). The expression here is repeated to denote emphasis. He had thrown them into the furnace of affliction on his own account, that is, in order that his own name should not be profaned by their irreligion and idolatry, and that the glory which was due to him should not be given to idols. For how should my name…
pooleIsaiah 48:11: "For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another."
Will I do it; this great work of delivering my people out of Babylon. My name is here fitly supplied, both out of Isaiah 48:9 , where it is expressed, and out of the following clause of this verse, where he saith, my glory, which is equivalent to it. The sense is, If I should not spare and deliver my people, my name would be sadly profaned and b…
The repetition of "for my own sake" isn't just emphasis; it highlights that God's actions are driven by the absolute necessity of preserving His own character and reputation. He can't allow His name to be profaned or His glory to be attributed to anyone else, as this would contradict His very being.
God is about to reveal his mighty plan of delivering his people from exile in Babylon. He's been speaking to them about their unfaithfulness and how their actions dishonor Him, but now He emphasizes that His ultimate motivation for their salvation isn't their merit, but His own honor. This divine declaration underscores that His actions are driven by His character and reputation, ensuring His name is not profaned and His glory remains His alone.
God is about to reveal his mighty plan of delivering his people from exile in Babylon. He's been speaking to them about their unfaithfulness and how their actions dishonor Him, but now He emphasizes that His ultimate motivation for their salvation isn't their merit, but His own honor. This divine declaration underscores that His actions are driven by His character and reputation, ensuring His name is not profaned and His glory remains His alone.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 48:11 is available in the Sola app.
God's intervention, therefore, is an act of self-vindication. He acts to prove that He is indeed God, that His promises are true, and that His power is unmatched. This is why He declares, "I will not give my glory to another." His glory is His intrinsic worth and the honor due to Him, and He will not allow it to be transferred to idols or attributed to false gods.
c. 550-539 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, forming a powerful empire that eventually challenges and conquers Babylon.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon. This event paves the way for the return of the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the end of the Babylonian exile.
"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." — The repetition of "for my own sake" isn't just emphasis; it highlights that God's actions are driven by the absolute necessity of preserving His own character and reputation. He can't allow His name…
