Ezekiel 36:21

But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

But I had pity {H2550} for mine holy {H6944} name {H8034}, which the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} had profaned {H2490} among the heathen {H1471}, whither they went {H935}.

But I am concerned about my holy name, which the house of Isra'el is profaning among the nations where they have gone.

But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone.

But I had regard for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, whither they went.

Ezekiel 36:21 (KJV) reveals a profound motivation behind God's future actions concerning the exiled house of Israel: His own holy name. This verse is central to understanding God's character and the divine rationale for the promised restoration of Israel, which unfolds in the subsequent verses of Ezekiel 36.

Context

This verse is part of a significant prophetic discourse in Ezekiel, delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon around the 6th century BC. The people had been removed from their land due to their persistent sin and idolatry, a judgment foretold by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel himself. Their dispersion among the "heathen" (Gentile nations) inadvertently led to the profanation of God's name. The nations, witnessing Israel's plight, might have concluded that their God was either powerless to protect them or unjust in His dealings. However, God clarifies that His forthcoming intervention and promised gathering of Israel from the nations is not primarily due to Israel's merit, but out of His own sovereign concern for His reputation and holiness.

Key Themes

  • God's Jealousy for His Name: The primary motivation for God's actions here is not Israel's righteousness, but His deep concern for the honor of His "holy name." This demonstrates God's ultimate commitment to His own glory and character, which had been misrepresented and dishonored by Israel's conduct among the Gentiles.
  • The Profanation of God's Name: Israel, by their unfaithfulness and subsequent exile, caused God's name to be "profaned" or defiled among the nations. Their actions, or lack thereof, reflected poorly on the God they claimed to serve, leading the surrounding cultures to question His power or goodness. This concept is also echoed in the New Testament, as seen in Romans 2:24.
  • Divine Pity and Sovereignty: While God is just in punishing Israel's sin, His "pity" here is not a sentimental emotion but a resolute determination to uphold His own divine standard and vindicate His character before the world. It emphasizes His sovereign right and power to act independently of human merit.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "profaned" is chalal (חָלַל), which means to defile, pollute, or make common. It implies a stripping away of holiness or sacredness. When applied to God's name, it means that Israel's actions caused His sacred, set-apart name to be treated as ordinary or even contemptible by the Gentile nations. God's "holy name" (shem qodesh) signifies His entire being, character, and power – all that He is and represents. Its profanation was a direct assault on His very essence.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 36:21 serves as a powerful reminder that our lives as believers reflect upon the God we serve. Just as ancient Israel's conduct affected God's reputation among the nations, so too do our actions, words, and attitudes impact how the world perceives Christianity and, by extension, God Himself. This verse calls us to live lives that honor God's name, striving for holiness and integrity. It also offers comfort, showing that even when we fail, God remains faithful to His own character and purposes, often acting for His name's sake to bring about His perfect will, as promised in the very next verse.

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.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 74:18

    ¶ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

  • 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 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.

  • Deuteronomy 32:26

    ¶ I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

  • Deuteronomy 32:27

    Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, [and] lest they should say, Our hand [is] high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

  • Isaiah 37:35

    For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

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