Ezekiel 20:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless I withdrew {H7725} mine hand {H3027}, and wrought {H6213} for my name's {H8034} sake, that it should not be polluted {H2490} in the sight {H5869} of the heathen {H1471}, in whose sight {H5869} I brought them forth {H3318}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, I withdrew my hand and allowed concern for my own reputation to keep 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 withheld My hand and 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

Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:22 encapsulates a profound principle of divine governance, revealing God's unwavering commitment to His own glory amidst Israel's persistent rebellion in the wilderness. Despite their repeated acts of idolatry and disobedience, God chose to restrain His full judgment, not due to any merit on their part, but to prevent the desecration of His holy name in the eyes of the surrounding pagan nations who had witnessed His mighty acts of deliverance. This verse underscores the foundational truth that God's ultimate motivation for His actions is the preservation and manifestation of His own divine reputation and honor, ensuring His power and faithfulness are never misrepresented or diminished.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20 presents a sweeping historical sermon delivered by the prophet to the elders of Israel during their Babylonian exile. The chapter meticulously recounts Israel's long history of rebellion against Yahweh, beginning from their time in Egypt, continuing through the wilderness wanderings, and extending into their settlement in the Promised Land. God repeatedly highlights how, at each stage, His people provoked Him with idolatry, disobedience to His statutes, and profanation of His Sabbaths. Verse 22 specifically refers to a critical juncture during the wilderness period, following the initial generation's rebellion. Despite witnessing the severe consequences of their fathers' unfaithfulness (e.g., the divine decree that the first generation would die in the wilderness, as detailed in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment")), the succeeding generation continued in similar patterns of disobedience. This verse emphasizes a specific instance of God's remarkable divine restraint, where He chose to withhold the full measure of His deserved wrath, illustrating a recurring theme of His long-suffering patience throughout the biblical narrative of Israel's unfaithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel 20:22 is the forty-year wilderness journey following Israel's miraculous [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea") and the covenant established at Mount Sinai. This period was intended to be a time of forming Israel into a holy nation, learning absolute dependence and obedience to Yahweh. However, they consistently failed, often yearning for the idolatrous practices they had known in Egypt or adopting the pagan customs of the surrounding peoples. The "heathen" mentioned are the various non-Israelite nations—such as the Canaanites, Edomites, and other tribal groups—who observed Israel's dramatic deliverance from a superpower like Egypt and their subsequent journey. In the ancient Near East, the power and reputation of a nation's god were intimately linked to the fate and prosperity of that nation. If Yahweh, who had so powerfully delivered Israel, were to utterly destroy them in the wilderness, it could be interpreted by these watching nations as a sign of His weakness, inability to sustain His people, or capriciousness. Such an interpretation would have brought immense dishonor to Yahweh's name. Thus, God's actions, including His restraint, were not solely for Israel's preservation but were fundamentally aimed at upholding His unique power, sovereignty, and faithfulness among the pantheon of ancient world deities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching theological themes prevalent in Ezekiel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **God's Sovereignty and Reputation**. The phrase "wrought for my name's sake" (or "for my name's sake I acted") highlights that God's ultimate motivation for His actions, even His restraint, is the preservation and glorification of His own holy character and reputation. This is a central biblical truth, echoed in passages like [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "Isaiah 48:11 - God's Glory Undivided"), where God declares, "My glory I will not give to another." Secondly, the verse emphasizes God's concern for **Preventing the Profanation of His Name**. The Hebrew term for "polluted" (châlal) signifies defilement, desecration, or treating something holy as common. God's restraint ensured that His power and faithfulness, so dramatically displayed during the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Departure"), would not be misinterpreted or blasphemed by the "heathen" who had witnessed His mighty hand. This theme is also powerfully articulated in [Moses' intercession in Numbers 14:15-16](/numbers/14-15 "Moses' Plea for God's Reputation"), where Moses appeals to God's concern for His reputation among the Egyptians. Finally, Ezekiel 20:22 powerfully illustrates **Divine Forbearance and Long-Suffering Patience**. Despite Israel's persistent provocation and their deserving of immediate, severe judgment, God's mercy and steadfast love prevailed, demonstrating His infinite patience and His unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes, even when His people proved consistently unfaithful.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **withdrew (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root signifies "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat." In this context, it describes God's deliberate act of holding back or restraining His hand of judgment. It implies a conscious, sovereign decision to avert a previously intended or deserved punitive action, emphasizing divine mercy and patience over immediate retribution.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** A primitive word, "yâd" refers to "a hand (the open one, indicating power, means, direction, etc.)." Beyond its literal anatomical meaning, "hand" is a profound anthropomorphism for God's power, authority, active intervention, and presence. When God "withdrew His hand," it means He held back His active intervention of judgment or destruction, demonstrating a deliberate restraint of His mighty, destructive power.
* **polluted (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** This primitive root means "to bore, i.e., to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin." In Ezekiel 20:22, "polluted" carries the strong sense of profaning, desecrating, or demeaning something holy. God's ultimate concern was that His name, which represents His holy character, attributes, and reputation, would not be treated as common, dishonored, or blasphemed by the pagan nations if He were to utterly destroy Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand,"**: This opening clause highlights God's sovereign and deliberate act of restraint. Despite the overwhelming evidence of Israel's continued rebellion and their deserving of severe judgment, God chose not to unleash the full measure of His wrath. The "hand" here is an anthropomorphic representation of God's power and capacity for judgment, indicating His conscious decision to hold back from destroying His people.
* **"and wrought for my name's sake,"**: This is the pivotal theological motivation for God's restraint. God's actions, including His decision to withhold judgment, were not primarily based on Israel's merit or for their immediate benefit, but were fundamentally aimed at upholding His own reputation, honor, and glory. His "name" encapsulates His entire being, His character, His attributes, and His covenant faithfulness. He acted in a way that would supremely honor Himself.
* **"that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen,"**: This clause provides the specific reason for God acting "for my name's sake." Had God consumed Israel entirely in the wilderness, the surrounding pagan nations, who had witnessed His mighty deliverance from Egypt, might have concluded that the God of Israel was weak, capricious, or unable to sustain His people. Such a conclusion would have profaned, desecrated, or diminished the honor due to His holy name among those who did not yet know Him.
* **"in whose sight I brought them forth."**: This final clause reiterates the context and emphasizes the specific audience for God's actions. The "heathen" had been direct witnesses to the Exodus, God's powerful and miraculous act of bringing Israel out of Egypt. Their prior awareness of God's initial mighty deeds made it even more crucial that His subsequent actions concerning Israel's fate did not diminish His glory or bring His name into disrepute in their eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:22 masterfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in the phrase "I withdrew mine hand," which attributes a human limb and action (withdrawing a hand) to God. This device makes God's actions more comprehensible and relatable to human readers, vividly portraying His deliberate restraint of His immense power. The phrase "for my name's sake" functions as a powerful **Theological Motif**, a recurring and central theme throughout the Old Testament that consistently emphasizes God's ultimate concern for His own glory, honor, and reputation. This motif underscores the divine impetus behind God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign actions in history. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "in the sight of the heathen" (or "in whose sight") serves to emphasize the external, non-Israelite audience for God's actions. This repetition highlights God's pervasive concern for how His character and power are perceived by those outside the covenant community, reinforcing the idea that God's glory is not confined to Israel but is meant to be displayed to all nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:22 offers a profound revelation of God's intrinsic holiness and His unwavering commitment to His own glory. It teaches us that God's actions, including His acts of forbearance and judgment, are not primarily contingent upon human faithfulness but are rooted in His unchanging character and His sovereign purpose to magnify His name throughout creation. His restraint, even in the face of egregious and persistent rebellion, is a testament to His long-suffering love, yet it is ultimately directed by His self-exaltation. This truth challenges anthropocentric views of God, reminding us that while He deeply loves humanity and desires their redemption, His primary motivation is always the vindication of His own righteous and holy name before all creation. It demonstrates that God's covenant faithfulness is not a response to Israel's merit, but a demonstration of His own integrity and commitment to His divine plan, which inherently includes revealing His glory to the nations.

* [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "Isaiah 48:11 - God's Unshared Glory")
* [Numbers 14:15-16](/numbers/14-15 "Numbers 14:15-16 - Moses' Appeal for God's Name")
* [Psalm 106:8](/psalm/106-8 "Psalm 106:8 - God's Deliverance for His Name's Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:22 provides profound insights for contemporary believers, fundamentally reframing our understanding of God's ultimate purpose: His own glory. This perspective challenges us to see all of life—our trials, blessings, and even divine discipline—as ultimately orchestrated to display God's character and magnify His name. For us, this means that our lives should also be lived "for His name's sake," actively seeking to honor Him in all we do, thereby reflecting His character to a watching world. It calls us to a life of worship and obedience rooted not in what we gain, but in who God is. Moreover, this verse offers immense comfort: God's faithfulness to His promises and His people is not dependent on our perfection, but on His unchanging nature and His unwavering commitment to His own glorious name. When we falter, His restraint and patience, demonstrated for the sake of His name, assure us of His steadfast love and His commitment to His redemptive plan, even when we are unfaithful. This should inspire both profound humility and unwavering confidence in His sovereign care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that God acts "for His name's sake" change your perspective on difficult circumstances in your life or in the world?**
* **In what ways might your own actions, or the collective actions of the church, "pollute" or honor God's name in the sight of unbelievers?**
* **How can you more intentionally live your life "for God's name's sake" in your daily decisions, relationships, and work?**

### FAQ

**Why does God act "for His name's sake" instead of solely for His people's benefit?**

Answer: God acts "for His name's sake" because His glory and reputation are paramount. While He deeply loves His people and desires their well-being, His ultimate purpose transcends human benefit; it is the manifestation of His own perfect character and attributes. If God were to destroy Israel entirely in the wilderness, after having miraculously delivered them from Egypt, the surrounding nations ("the heathen") might have concluded that the God of Israel was weak or unable to save His people, thereby bringing dishonor to His name. Thus, God's restraint, as seen in [Ezekiel 20:22](/ezekiel/20-22 "Ezekiel 20:22 - God's Restraint for His Name's Sake"), was a profound demonstration of His power, faithfulness, and sovereignty, ensuring that His name would not be profaned. This doesn't imply a lack of care for His people, but rather that His care is always consistent with His own divine nature and ultimate glory.

**What does it mean for God's name to be "polluted" or "profaned"?**

Answer: For God's name to be "polluted" or "profaned" (Hebrew: _châlal_) means for it to be treated as common, dishonored, or brought into disrepute. God's "name" in Scripture represents His entire being, His character, His attributes, and His reputation. When Israel, as God's covenant people, engaged in idolatry or disobedience, they implicitly suggested that God was not worthy of their exclusive worship, or that He was unable to sustain them. If God had then destroyed them, it could have led the pagan nations to believe that Yahweh was either powerless or capricious, thereby diminishing His glory in their eyes. This would have been a profanation of His holy name. God's actions, including His forbearance, are always aimed at upholding the sanctity and honor of His name, ensuring that He is recognized as the one true, powerful, and faithful God, as seen in passages like [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Do Not Profane God's Name").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:22, with its profound emphasis on God acting "for His name's sake" to prevent profanation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While God restrained His wrath in the Old Testament to preserve His name from being dishonored by the nations, the cross of Christ is the definitive act where God's name is not merely preserved but supremely glorified and eternally vindicated. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, God perfectly demonstrated both His unwavering justice (His righteous wrath against sin) and His boundless love (His gracious provision for salvation). Had God simply overlooked sin, His name would have been truly "polluted" as unrighteous, indifferent to evil, or lacking in holiness. Instead, in Christ, God satisfied the full demands of His own holiness and justice, maintaining His absolute integrity and ensuring His name remained unblemished. The death of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who bore the sin of the world, allowed God to be both "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Justice and Justification")). This divine act of propitiation, where Christ's blood cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Blood")), ensures that God's name is not only unpolluted but eternally exalted. Furthermore, the exaltation of Jesus to the highest place, where "every knee should bow... 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 - Christ's Exaltation")), is the ultimate display of God's name being honored and glorified among all creation, far surpassing what was achieved through His forbearance with ancient Israel.

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 20:14

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

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.

Psalms 78:38

But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

Isaiah 48:9

¶ For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.

Isaiah 48:11

For mine own sake, [even] for mine own sake, will I do [it]: for how should [my name] be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Jeremiah 14:21

Do not abhor [us], for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

Ezekiel 20:17

Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.