God defends His name to safeguard His honor and remind people of His unmatched holiness.
Isaiah prophesied during the late 8th to early 7th century BC (approximately 740-681 BC) when the kingdom of Judah faced significant threats from surrounding nations. In speaking of the LORD’s defense of His reputation, the prophet declares: “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.” (v.11). This statement underlines God’s passionate commitment to uphold His holiness, preventing detractors from desecrating His name. By emphasizing “for My own sake” twice, the LORD underscores that no external factor compels Him more than His own nature and promise, reflecting His righteousness as well as His jealous care over His divine honor. In the broader context of Isaiah 48, the LORD confronts His people’s stubbornness but assures them of deliverance, ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone, not to any idol or human power.
The phrase “For how can My name be profaned?” (v.11) captures God’s protective stance over His reputation. In biblical thought, a good name and glory are intertwined with authority and worship, and the LORD refuses to allow false deities or human pride to appropriate what is rightfully His (Exodus 20:3). Linking this to the New Testament, Jesus also places supreme importance on God’s name and will (Matthew 6:9), echoing the principle that the Father’s reputation remains sacred and beyond reproach. Throughout scripture, when God acts for His name’s sake, it affirms His consistency, trustworthiness, and unwavering fidelity to the covenant He established with His people.
Furthermore, “And My glory I will not give to another” (v.11) highlights God’s singular devotion to preserving His renown. In Isaiah’s day, Judah was tempted to align itself with political powers or to rely on idols, but the LORD reveals He alone deserves worship. This truth foreshadows the New Testament’s proclamation that all praise belongs to God through Jesus Christ, who shares in the Father’s glory yet calls us to humbly submit ourselves to the Father’s will (John 17:1). As in Isaiah’s prophecy, every hint of human pride or idolatry must yield to the glory of a sovereign and holy God.
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Isaiah 48:11 meaning
Isaiah prophesied during the late 8th to early 7th century BC (approximately 740-681 BC) when the kingdom of Judah faced significant threats from surrounding nations. In speaking of the LORD’s defense of His reputation, the prophet declares: “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.” (v.11). This statement underlines God’s passionate commitment to uphold His holiness, preventing detractors from desecrating His name. By emphasizing “for My own sake” twice, the LORD underscores that no external factor compels Him more than His own nature and promise, reflecting His righteousness as well as His jealous care over His divine honor. In the broader context of Isaiah 48, the LORD confronts His people’s stubbornness but assures them of deliverance, ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone, not to any idol or human power.
The phrase “For how can My name be profaned?” (v.11) captures God’s protective stance over His reputation. In biblical thought, a good name and glory are intertwined with authority and worship, and the LORD refuses to allow false deities or human pride to appropriate what is rightfully His (Exodus 20:3). Linking this to the New Testament, Jesus also places supreme importance on God’s name and will (Matthew 6:9), echoing the principle that the Father’s reputation remains sacred and beyond reproach. Throughout scripture, when God acts for His name’s sake, it affirms His consistency, trustworthiness, and unwavering fidelity to the covenant He established with His people.
Furthermore, “And My glory I will not give to another” (v.11) highlights God’s singular devotion to preserving His renown. In Isaiah’s day, Judah was tempted to align itself with political powers or to rely on idols, but the LORD reveals He alone deserves worship. This truth foreshadows the New Testament’s proclamation that all praise belongs to God through Jesus Christ, who shares in the Father’s glory yet calls us to humbly submit ourselves to the Father’s will (John 17:1). As in Isaiah’s prophecy, every hint of human pride or idolatry must yield to the glory of a sovereign and holy God.