Old Testament
Isaiah 48:9
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
For my name's sake, I will hold back my anger, and for my praise, I will restrain myself for you, so that I do not cut you off.
Compare translations
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.
What Isaiah 48:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God expresses His commitment to His people despite their shortcomings. He indicates that His anger is held back not because they deserve it, but for the sake of His own name and reputation. God prioritizes His glory and the relationship with His people over immediate judgment. This reflects His mercy and patience, showing that He desires to give them a chance to repent and turn back to Him. The phrase 'cut you off' suggests a complete separation, which God is willing to avoid for the sake of His praise. This highlights the tension between divine justice and mercy, illustrating that while God is just, He also desires to show grace and maintain a relationship with His people. It serves as a reminder that God's actions are often motivated by His character and purpose rather than human merit.
How to apply Isaiah 48:9 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on God's mercy in our own lives. When we face challenges or feel distant from God, we can remember that He is patient and desires to maintain a relationship with us. We should strive to respond to His grace with repentance and gratitude, recognizing His love and commitment to us.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 48:9
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 48:9
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 48:9 mean?
Isaiah 48:9 means that God is holding back His anger towards His people not because they deserve it, but for the sake of His own name and reputation. It highlights His mercy and desire to maintain a relationship with them.
What is the meaning of 'cut you off' in Isaiah 48:9?
The phrase 'cut you off' in Isaiah 48:9 refers to a complete separation from God. It indicates that God is willing to avoid this separation to preserve His relationship with His people.
How does Isaiah 48:9 reflect God's mercy?
Isaiah 48:9 reflects God's mercy by showing that He chooses to restrain His anger and not punish His people immediately. This demonstrates His desire to give them an opportunity to turn back to Him.
What themes are present in Isaiah 48:9?
The themes present in Isaiah 48:9 include God's mercy, divine patience, the importance of His glory, the call for repentance, and the balance between judgment and grace.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.