“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God isn't holding back His anger simply because Israel is finally behaving. Instead, He's doing it for His own reputation and glory, ensuring that His faithfulness and power are recognized through His continued mercy. This shows that even when we don't deserve it, God's actions are rooted in His character, which He will not compromise.
“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is speaking directly to the people of Israel, revealing that despite their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion, He will not completely abandon them. He's explaining that His restraint of anger and judgment is not because they deserve it, but for His own glory and the vindication of His name, ensuring they are not utterly destroyed. This divine patience is set against the backdrop of their continued sinfulness, highlighting God’s mercy in the face of their repeated transgressions.
Why does God hold back His anger, even when His people are unfaithful? It's not primarily about their worthiness, but about His own magnificent character.
This verse reveals a profound truth about God's motivations. While Israel was undeniably deserving of judgment for their sins, God chose to defer His anger. The primary reason? Not for their sake, but 'for my name's sake' and 'for my praise.'
God's Character is the Driving Force
This doesn't mean God ignores sin, but it highlights that His covenantal faithfulness and the ultimate display of His glory are paramount in His dealings with humanity.
God holds back His ultimate judgment, but what does that mean for those who are still in their sin? His restraint isn't an excuse for complacency.
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Isaiah 48:9 presents God's deferral of anger not as a final pardon, but as a deliberate choice to avoid complete annihilation, creating an opportunity. The phrase 'that I may not cut you off' is crucial.
Averted Destruction, Not Undeserved Favor
Understand the original words
shemi · Hebrew Noun
The name of God represents His character, nature, reputation, and presence. Acting for His "name's sake" means God acts in accordance with His own glory and unchanging faithfulness rather than human merit.
he'erakti appi · Hebrew Verb
In this context, to hold back or postpone the execution of judgment. It highlights God's patience and mercy in not dealing with humanity according to their sins.
This passage speaks directly to the people of Judah during the Babylonian exile, especially after the devastating destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. God's enduring faithfulness, demonstrated by His decision to ultimately spare His people and bring them back, is not based on their merit but on His own glorious name and the promises He made.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting its people, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. Jerusalem's temple is despoiled.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces finally destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, leveling the city and exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This is the nadir of Israel's national and religious life.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great, leader of the Persian Empire, conquers Babylon. This geopolitical shift creates an opportunity for the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus for Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from exile.
This passage highlights the concern that God's enemies might blaspheme His name if He were to destroy Israel, which is a direct parallel to the 'name's sake' mentioned in Isaiah.
Ezekiel 20:9This verse echoes the sentiment of acting 'for my name's sake' to prevent its profanation among the nations, directly aligning with the motivation stated in Isaiah 48:9.
Romans 9:17Paul quotes Exodus 9:16, which states God raised Pharaoh 'for this purpose, to show my power and to make my name proclaimed throughout all the earth,' demonstrating God's consistent action for the sake of His reputation and glory.
Psalm 106:8This Psalm recounts God's deliverance of Israel 'for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power,' showing a long-standing pattern of God acting for His own glory and reputation.
Jeremiah 14:7This verse is a prayer acknowledging that though Israel's iniquities cry out against them, God should act 'for your name's sake,' and not make void his covenant, showing the plea for God to act for His own honor.
barnesIsaiah 48:9: "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."
For my name's sake - (See the notes at Isaiah 43:25 ; compare Isaiah 66:5 ). It is possible that the design of this verse may be, to answer an objection. 'If the character of the nation is such, it might be said, 'why should God desire to restore them again to their own land? If their sins have been so great as to make these heavy judgments proper, why not suffer them t…
bensonIsaiah 48:9: "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."
Isaiah 48:9-11 . For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger — Although thou dost justly deserve my hottest anger and most dreadful judgments, which also, if thou repentest not, I will in due time inflict, yet at present I will spare thee, and deliver thee out of captivity, not for thy sake, but merely for my own sake, and for the vindication of my name, that I may be pr…
God isn't holding back His anger simply because Israel is finally behaving. Instead, He's doing it for His own reputation and glory, ensuring that His faithfulness and power are recognized through His continued mercy. This shows that even when we don't deserve it, God's actions are rooted in His character, which He will not compromise.
God is speaking directly to the people of Israel, revealing that despite their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion, He will not completely abandon them. He's explaining that His restraint of anger and judgment is not because they deserve it, but for His own glory and the vindication of His name, ensuring they are not utterly destroyed. This divine patience is set against the backdrop of their continued sinfulness, highlighting God’s mercy in the face of their repeated transgressions.
God is speaking directly to the people of Israel, revealing that despite their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion, He will not completely abandon them. He's explaining that His restraint of anger and judgment is not because they deserve it, but for His own glory and the vindication of His name, ensuring they are not utterly destroyed. This divine patience is set against the backdrop of their continued sinfulness, highlighting God’s mercy in the face of their repeated transgressions.
"“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." — God isn't holding back His anger simply because Israel is finally behaving. Instead, He's doing it for His own reputation and glory, ensuring that His faithfulness and power are recognized through…
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Last reviewed October 2026