Ezekiel 20:14

KJV

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

KJV (with Strong's)

But I wrought {H6213} for my name's {H8034} sake, that it should not be polluted {H2490} before {H5869} the heathen {H1471}, in whose sight {H5869} I brought them out {H3318}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But concern for my own reputation kept me from letting it be profaned in the sight of the nations who had seen when I brought them out.

Berean Standard Bible

But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

American Standard Version

But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:14 encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's actions toward Israel, particularly His restraint from utterly destroying them despite their persistent rebellion, were primarily motivated by His zealous commitment to His own holy name and reputation among the surrounding pagan nations. This divine self-vindication ensured that His power and faithfulness, so dramatically displayed in the Exodus, would not be profaned or misunderstood by those who witnessed His dealings with His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy and somber historical review in [Ezekiel chapter 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellious History"), where God recounts Israel's relentless spiritual infidelity from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness wanderings, and into the Promised Land. The chapter opens with elders of Israel seeking counsel from the Lord, to which God responds by laying bare the nation's idolatrous past and present. Verse 14 specifically refers to God's dealings with the first generation of Israelites in the wilderness, explaining why He did not consume them despite their repeated provocations and violations of His laws, particularly the Sabbath and idolatry, as detailed in [Ezekiel 20:13](/ezekiel/20-13 "Ezekiel 20:13 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness"). This divine forbearance, driven by His name's sake, is a recurring theme throughout this historical survey, highlighting God's consistent character despite human failure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), speaking to a people who had been removed from their land due to their unfaithfulness. The historical backdrop of Ezekiel 20:14 is the wilderness generation following the Exodus from Egypt. The Exodus itself was a monumental display of Yahweh's power over the gods of Egypt and a public demonstration to all surrounding nations that Israel's God was uniquely sovereign (cf. [Exodus 14:18](/exodus/14-18 "Exodus 14:18 - God's Glory in the Red Sea")). In the ancient Near East, the reputation and power of a god were often judged by the prosperity and fate of their people. Had God annihilated Israel in the wilderness, the "heathen" nations would have interpreted this not as a just judgment for Israel's sin, but as a sign of Yahweh's weakness or inability to complete His initial act of deliverance, thereby "polluting" or profaning His name in their sight.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 20:14 powerfully underscores several core theological themes. Firstly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty and Glory**, asserting that His ultimate motivation is His own intrinsic character and the sanctity of His name, rather than human merit or deservingness. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Sanctity of God's Name**, which represents His entire being, authority, and power. God's zealous protection of His holiness means He will not allow His reputation to be dishonored or treated as common by the Gentile nations. Thirdly, it reveals **Divine Restraint and Mercy**, demonstrating that despite Israel's egregious sins and repeated provocations, God often withheld His full wrath. This restraint was not indifference to sin but a deliberate act of mercy, rooted in His covenant promises and His commitment to His own name (cf. [Psalm 106:8](/psalm/106-8 "Psalm 106:8 - God Saves for His Name's Sake")). Finally, the verse speaks to Israel's role as a **Witness to the Nations**. Their very existence and God's dealings with them were intended to be a testimony to the surrounding pagan cultures, underscoring Yahweh's unique power, faithfulness, and holiness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wrought (Hebrew, _‘âsâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In this context, it conveys God's active, intentional, and sovereign performance of His will. It's not a passive observation but a decisive intervention and execution of His plan, specifically in restraining judgment and preserving Israel.
* **name's (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** More than a mere appellation, _shêm_ here represents God's entire character, reputation, authority, and manifest presence. To act "for my name's sake" means God's actions are intrinsically tied to preserving His honor, demonstrating His unique power, and upholding His covenant faithfulness before all creation. It is about His self-revelation and the recognition of His unparalleled divinity.
* **polluted (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** This word carries the strong sense of profaning, desecrating, or violating something sacred, treating it as common or unholy. In this verse, it means God's name would be dishonored, made contemptible, or treated as powerless by the pagan nations if He were to utterly destroy His chosen people whom He had so powerfully delivered from Egypt. God's concern was not merely for His own pride, but for the recognition of His unique holiness and power in a world filled with false gods.
* **heathen (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This term refers to a "foreign nation" or "Gentile." In the Old Testament, it often denotes the non-Israelite nations, typically those who did not worship Yahweh. God's concern for His name extended beyond Israel to the perception of His power and character among these pagan peoples, who were witnesses to His mighty acts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I wrought for my name's sake,"**: This opening clause establishes God's primary motivation. His actions, particularly His restraint from judgment, are not based on Israel's merit or righteousness, but solely on His own divine character and the necessity of upholding His glory. It underscores God's self-sufficiency and His ultimate commitment to His own honor.
* **"that it should not be polluted before the heathen,"**: This explains the purpose of God's action. He acted to prevent His holy name—His reputation, power, and unique identity as the one true God—from being desecrated, dishonored, or treated as common by the pagan nations. These nations were observing God's dealings with Israel, and any perceived failure on God's part would have undermined His divine authority in their eyes.
* **"in whose sight I brought them out."**: This final clause specifies the particular historical event that would have been profaned. The "bringing them out" refers to the Exodus from Egypt, a public, miraculous, and undeniable demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to both Israel and the surrounding nations. Had God allowed Israel to perish in the wilderness, the very event that established His name among the nations would have been rendered meaningless or even mocked by the "heathen," implying God was unable to complete what He started.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:14 employs several powerful literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "my name's sake," where God speaks of His reputation as if it could be "polluted" or honored, reflecting a human-like concern for standing and renown. This allows human readers to grasp the profound importance God places on His character and how it is perceived. The concept of God acting "for my name's sake" also demonstrates **Divine Pathos**, revealing God's deep concern for His own glory and the proper recognition of His unique holiness in a world prone to idolatry. There is also a clear **Contrast** established between Israel's persistent rebellion and God's unwavering faithfulness, highlighting the unilateral nature of God's covenant commitment. Finally, **Metonymy** is present in the use of "name" to represent God's entire being, character, and authority, rather than just a linguistic label.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:14 reveals a foundational theological principle: God's ultimate motivation in all His dealings, particularly His redemptive acts and His patient forbearance, is the vindication and glorification of His own holy name. This is not a matter of divine ego, but a necessary outworking of His perfect character, ensuring that His unique sovereignty, power, and faithfulness are recognized by all creation. This truth underscores that salvation is not primarily about human merit, but about God's inherent commitment to His own glory and the display of His attributes. It teaches us that God's plan of salvation is ultimately designed to magnify Himself, demonstrating His justice, mercy, and wisdom before a watching world, both human and spiritual.

* [Psalm 106:8](/psalm/106-8 "Psalm 106:8 - God Saves for His Name's Sake")
* [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "Isaiah 48:11 - God's Glory Alone")
* [Romans 9:17](/romans/9-17 "Romans 9:17 - God's Purpose in Pharaoh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:14 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God's faithfulness to us is not contingent upon our perfect obedience, but upon His steadfast character and His unwavering commitment to His own glory. This liberates us from the burden of earning His favor and anchors our hope in His unchangeable nature. As those who bear the name of Christ, our lives are meant to be a reflection of His character, and our conduct can either glorify or inadvertently dishonor His name before a watching world. This verse calls us to live with an acute awareness that our actions have implications for God's reputation among those who do not know Him. Furthermore, it encourages us to trust in God's profound patience and longsuffering, recognizing that He often restrains judgment and extends grace, not because He overlooks sin, but because His greater redemptive purposes and the ultimate display of His glory are at stake.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's motivation "for His name's sake" deepen your appreciation for His mercy and patience in your own life?**
* **In what specific ways might your daily actions or attitudes inadvertently "pollute" or dishonor God's name before others?**
* **How can you more intentionally live in a way that actively glorifies God's name in your family, workplace, and community?**
* **What comfort can you draw from the truth that God's commitment to His own glory is the ultimate guarantee of His faithfulness to His people?**

### FAQ

**Why is God so concerned with His "name" and its "pollution"?**

Answer: God's "name" in biblical thought is not merely a label but represents His entire character, attributes, authority, and manifest presence. When the Bible speaks of God acting for His "name's sake," it means He acts to uphold His own perfect holiness, justice, power, and faithfulness. The concern for His name's "pollution" (or profanation) is not divine ego, but a necessary outworking of His nature as the one true God. If His chosen people, whom He had miraculously delivered, were utterly destroyed in the sight of pagan nations, it would imply that their God was weak, unfaithful, or unable to complete His purposes. This would diminish His glory and lead others to worship false gods, which is an affront to His unique divinity. God's concern for His name is ultimately a concern for the recognition of His unique glory and the salvation of people who would otherwise remain in spiritual darkness. This is why God's concern for His name is intrinsically linked to His redemptive plan for all nations (cf. [Psalm 67:2](/psalm/67-2 "Psalm 67:2 - God's Way Known on Earth")).

**Does this mean God doesn't care about our sin, as long as His name is glorified?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Ezekiel 20:14 does not imply indifference to sin; rather, it highlights the depth of God's mercy and His sovereign plan despite sin. Throughout [Ezekiel chapter 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellious History"), God repeatedly condemns Israel's idolatry and rebellion, stating that their sins deserved utter destruction. His restraint was an act of divine patience, not condonation of their wickedness. The very reason His name would be "polluted" is because their sin made them unworthy of His continued favor, yet He chose to preserve them for a greater purpose—to demonstrate His unique power and faithfulness to the nations. God is holy and just, and sin always incurs His wrath. However, His ultimate plan for His glory often involves extending grace and demonstrating His power through redemption, rather than immediate, complete judgment (cf. [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament principle of God acting "for my name's sake" culminates in God's redemptive plan through His Son, where His glory is most perfectly displayed and His name most fully vindicated. Jesus Himself declared that His entire mission was to glorify the Father's name ([John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father")). On the cross, God's name was supremely upheld, as His perfect justice was satisfied through Christ's sacrifice for sin, and His boundless mercy was simultaneously poured out, demonstrating that He is both just and the justifier of those who believe ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and Justifier")). The death and resurrection of Jesus prevented God's name from being "polluted" by humanity's sin, providing the ultimate solution for a rebellious people without compromising divine holiness. Through Christ, God's power to save is made manifest to all nations, fulfilling the implicit witness of Israel. Ultimately, God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation")). Thus, the concern for God's name expressed in Ezekiel finds its glorious and eternal resolution in the exaltation of Christ, through whom God's glory shines brightest ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ the Radiance of God's Glory")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 20:9

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they [were], in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 36:22

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

Ezekiel 36:23

And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 20:22

Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

Ephesians 1:12

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.