Ezekiel 36:20

And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These [are] the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

And when they entered {H935} unto the heathen {H1471}, whither they went {H935}, they profaned {H2490} my holy {H6944} name {H8034}, when they said {H559} to them, These are the people {H5971} of the LORD {H3068}, and are gone forth {H3318} out of his land {H776}.

When they came to the nations they were going to, they profaned my holy name; so that people said of them, 'These are ADONAI's people, who have been exiled from his land.'

And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’

And when they came unto the nations, whither they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of Jehovah, and are gone forth out of his land.

Ezekiel 36:20 addresses a profound concern of God regarding His reputation among the nations, stemming from the exile of His chosen people, Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during the Babylonian captivity, a period when the people of Israel were exiled from their homeland due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. In the ancient Near East, the defeat and exile of a nation were often interpreted as a sign that their god was weaker than the god(s) of the conquering nation. When the Israelites entered among the "heathen" (Gentiles) in Babylon, their defeated state led the surrounding nations to question the power and faithfulness of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Profaning of God's Holy Name: The core message is that Israel's actions and subsequent exile caused God's holy name to be dishonored. The Hebrew word for "profaned" is chalal, meaning to defile, desecrate, or make common. Instead of being seen as the mighty, sovereign God who protects His people, the LORD was perceived by the Gentiles as a deity unable to keep His people in their land, implying weakness or abandonment. This misrepresentation brought shame to His divine character.
  • God's Reputation and Glory: God's "name" represents His entire being, character, and authority. Israel, as God's chosen people, was meant to be a testimony to His greatness among the nations, a light to the Gentiles. Their failure and subsequent judgment inadvertently turned them into a source of dishonor for the very God they were meant to glorify.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse powerfully illustrates that the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness extended beyond their personal suffering. Their sin had cosmic implications, affecting how God was perceived in the world. This highlights the seriousness of living a life worthy of the calling one has received.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "profaned my holy name" is central. The Hebrew term chalal (חָלַל) conveys a sense of making something sacred common or defiled. God's name, which is inherently holy and set apart, was treated as ordinary or even contemptible by the Gentiles because of Israel's condition. This stood in direct opposition to God's command for His people to be holy as He is holy and to honor His name.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 36:20 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. As followers of Christ, our lives are a testimony to the God we serve. Our actions, attitudes, and choices can either bring honor or dishonor to God's name in the eyes of the world. When Christians live inconsistently with their faith, it can cause unbelievers to question the power, truth, or goodness of God. Conversely, when we let our light shine before men through our good works and faithful living, we bring glory to God (see 1 Peter 2:12). This verse sets the stage for God's subsequent promise in Ezekiel to restore Israel, not for their sake, but for the vindication of His own holy name, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His glory, as seen in Ezekiel 36:22-23.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 2:24

    For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

  • Isaiah 52:5

    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.

  • Jeremiah 33:24

    Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

  • Exodus 32:11

    And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

  • Exodus 32:13

    Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.

  • Daniel 3:15

    Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

  • 2 Kings 18:35

    Who [are] they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?

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