Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
But he, being full of compassion - literally, "But he, merciful," That is, he was ready to forgive them.
Forgave their iniquity - literally, Atoned for, expiated, covered over their iniquity. There is connected with the word the idea of expiation or atonement, as the ground of pardon.
And destroyed them not - Did not cut them off in their repeated acts of rebellion. He bore with them, and spared them.
Yea, many a time turned he his anger away - literally, He multiplied to turn his anger away. That is, he did it repeatedly. There were frequent occasions on their journey for doing this, and he did it.
And did not stir up all his wrath - literally, Did not excite, or arouse all his anger. His anger was stayed or mitigated, and they were suffered still to live.
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