Commentary for Isaiah 48:9

I defer My anger Heb. (אַאֲרִיךְ אַפִּי). Despite the future form, it is an expression of the present.

For My name’s sake, Israel is called the people of the Lord.

and My praise is that I restrain My wrath Heb. אֶחֱטָם. And this is My praise, that I restrain My wrath for you. אֶחֱטָם is an expression of חֹטֶם, a nose. I will close My nose not to allow the smoke of My nostrils to go out and not to be angry with you, for, when one is angry, smoke comes out of his nostrils, as Scripture states (Ps. 18:9): “Smoke rose in His nose.” Likewise, every expression of ‘kindling of anger’ (חֲרוֹן אַף) is an expression of the heating of the nose, (Job. 42:7) “My anger was kindled (חָרָה אַפִּי).” Comp. also (ibid. 30:30) “And my bones were burnt (חָרָה) from heat.” My nose was heated (נִחַר) from much heat.”

אחטם Wrath,¹²A. V., Will I defer mine anger. It is hap. leg.; comp. אף═חטם nose in Rabbinical Literature. Supply אאריך before אחטם : I will defer my wrath; also למען for the sake of is to be repeated before תהלתי : and for the sake of my praise.