Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
What have I here ... that my people is taken away for nought? - i:e., what am I called on to do? The fact "that my people is taken away (into captivity; Isaiah 49:24-25) for nought" (by gratuitous oppression, Isaiah 52:4: also Isaiah 52:3, where see note) demands my interposition.
They that rule over them - "rule" or 'tyrannize over them' (Hebrew, moshªlaayw (H4910)); namely, Babylon, literal and mystical.
Make them to howl - or, raise a cry of exultation over them (Maurer and Lowth). But yalal (H3213) is a mournful howl, rather then an exulting cry. And the Rabbis make the verb ( yªhowlaaluw (H3213)) here active, 'make them to howl.''
And my name continually every day (is) blasphemed namely in Babylon; God's reason for delivering And my name continually every day (is) blasphemed - namely, in Babylon; God's reason for delivering His people, not their goodness, but for the sake of His holy name (Ezekiel 20:9; Ezekiel 20:14).