Ezekiel 36:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:21 unveils the profound and sovereign motivation behind God's promised restoration of Israel from exile: it is not rooted in Israel's merit, but solely in the vindication of His own holy name. Despite the house of Israel's persistent sin and subsequent dispersion among the Gentile nations, which inadvertently caused God's reputation to be dishonored, the Lord declares His compassionate resolve to act. His ultimate purpose is to demonstrate His power, faithfulness, and absolute holiness before all the world by gathering His people, cleansing them, and restoring the honor due to His sacred identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36:21 is a pivotal verse, marking a significant transition in the book of Ezekiel from prophecies of judgment and desolation (Ezekiel 1-33) to those of restoration and hope (Ezekiel 34-48). It is situated within a discourse concerning the desolation of the land of Israel due to the people's defilement (Ezekiel 36:1-15) and immediately precedes the glorious promises of national restoration, spiritual renewal, and the regathering of Israel from the nations (Ezekiel 36:22-38). This verse serves as the theological linchpin, explaining *why* God will act in such a redemptive manner. It firmly establishes that His motivation is primarily for His own glory and the vindication of His holy name, which Israel's unfaithfulness had profaned. It sets the immutable stage for the new covenant promises of a new heart and Spirit found later in [this chapter](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Restoration of Israel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BC, following the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC. Israel's exile was a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry, injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness, as foretold by prophets like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Seventy Years of Captivity"). Their dispersion among the "heathen" (Gentile nations) was not merely a physical displacement but also a profound theological crisis. In the ancient Near East, the fate of a nation was often seen as a direct reflection of the power, character, and efficacy of its god. Thus, Israel's defeat and exile led the surrounding nations to conclude that the God of Israel was either weak, unable to protect His people, or unjust in His dealings. This perception, though erroneous, effectively "profaned" God's name, treating His sacred identity as common or contemptible. God's declaration in this verse directly addresses this cultural context, asserting His sovereign right and power to act for His own reputation and glory.
* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several foundational theological themes that resonate throughout Scripture. First, it highlights **God's ultimate concern for His own glory and the holiness of His name**. God's actions are not contingent on human merit or worthiness but are rooted in His unchanging character and unwavering commitment to His own honor. Second, it powerfully illustrates **the concept of the profanation of God's name**, where Israel's unfaithful conduct among the Gentiles brought dishonor to the God they represented. This theme emphasizes that the behavior of God's people directly impacts how He is perceived by the world, as also noted in [Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed by Gentiles"). Third, the verse reveals **divine pity (or compassion) as a resolute determination to uphold His divine standard**, rather than a mere sentimental emotion. This profound pity drives God's sovereign intervention to restore His people and vindicate His character, laying the groundwork for the promises of spiritual renewal and a new covenant, where God will put His Spirit within them and cause them to walk in His statutes, as described in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pity (Hebrew, _châmal'_):** This verb (H2550) signifies to commiserate, to spare, or to have compassion. In this context, God's "pity" is not a weak or sentimental emotion but a strong, active resolve rooted in His character. It denotes His unwillingness to allow His name to remain dishonored, compelling Him to act decisively to restore its sanctity, demonstrating His faithfulness to Himself and His own divine standard.
* **holy (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** This noun (H6944) refers to something sacred, set apart, or consecrated, implying purity and distinctness from the common or profane. When combined with "name" (H8034, _shêm'_), it emphasizes God's unique, transcendent, and unapproachable nature. Thus, "my holy name" signifies all that God is in His absolute purity, power, and distinctness from all other gods and created things.
* **profaned (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** This verb (H2490) is a primitive root meaning to bore, wound, dissolve, or figuratively, to profane, defile, pollute, or make common. It implies stripping away holiness or sacredness, treating something sacred as ordinary or contemptible. When Israel "profaned" God's holy name, their unfaithful actions and subsequent judgment caused His sacred identity to be treated as ordinary, powerless, or even contemptible by the Gentile nations (H1471, _gôwy'_), thereby diminishing His glory in their eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I had pity":** This opening phrase signals a divine initiative rooted in God's unchanging character. Despite Israel's unworthiness and their direct role in bringing about their own judgment, God's action is not punitive but redemptive, driven by a deep, active concern for His own integrity and the honor of His being. It highlights His sovereign freedom to act for His own purposes.
* **"for mine holy name":** This clause reveals the ultimate and singular motivation for God's intervention. His concern is not primarily for Israel's comfort or restoration for their sake, but for the honor and vindication of His own character and reputation, which is intrinsically tied to His "holy name." This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and His inherent commitment to His own glory above all else.
* **"which the house of Israel had profaned":** This directly attributes the dishonor to Israel's actions and covenant unfaithfulness. Their idolatry, disobedience, and subsequent exile led to a profound misrepresentation of God's character among the nations, causing His sacred name to be treated as common, weak, or even contemptible. This highlights the serious consequences of Israel's failure to live up to their covenant responsibilities and reflect God's holiness to the world.
* **"among the heathen, whither they went":** This specifies the context and scope of the profanation. Israel's dispersion among the Gentile nations (H1471, _gôwy'_) exposed God's name to the scrutiny and misinterpretation of those who did not know Him. The nations, witnessing Israel's plight and apparent abandonment by their God, drew conclusions about God's power and justice that were contrary to His true nature, thereby intensifying the dishonor to His name and necessitating divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:21 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful and profound message. **Anthropomorphism** is clearly evident in the phrase "I had pity," attributing a human emotion of compassion or commiseration to God. While God is transcendent and beyond human limitations, this expression helps human readers grasp His active concern and resolute determination to act on behalf of His own honor. The phrase "mine **holy name**" functions as a profound example of **metonymy**, where "name" stands in for God's entire being, character, reputation, authority, and essence. The profanation of His name is thus understood not merely as a verbal slight but as an assault on His very person and divine identity. There is also a clear **contrast** established between God's inherent, unchangeable holiness and the profaning, unfaithful actions of His people, highlighting the immense gravity of Israel's sin and the divine imperative for God to act to restore His own honor. Furthermore, the recurring emphasis on God's "name" throughout Ezekiel, particularly in chapters 36 and 39, serves as a powerful form of **repetition** that underscores its centrality to God's redemptive plan and His ultimate self-vindication before all creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:21 articulates a foundational biblical truth: God's ultimate concern is the glory and holiness of His own name. This principle is not unique to Ezekiel but is woven throughout the fabric of Scripture, from the Exodus narrative, where God delivers Israel to make His name known (e.g., [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Name Proclaimed")), to the New Testament, where the Father's name is glorified through the Son (e.g., [John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Father, Glorify Your Name")). The profanation of God's name by His people underscores the weighty responsibility placed upon those who bear His name and represent Him to the world. Yet, it also reveals God's unwavering commitment to His own character, demonstrating that even when His people fail spectacularly, His purposes will prevail, and His name will ultimately be vindicated before all creation. This divine resolve ensures that His covenant promises, including those of restoration and spiritual renewal, will be fulfilled, not because of human worthiness, but solely for His own glory and the demonstration of His faithfulness.

* [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Moses Pleads for God's Name")
* [Isaiah 48:9-11](/isaiah/48-9 "Isaiah 48:9-11 - For My Name's Sake")
* [Romans 2:24](/romans/2-24 "Romans 2:24 - God's Name Blasphemed by Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:21 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to consider how our lives reflect upon the God we claim to serve. Just as ancient Israel's conduct among the nations inadvertently brought dishonor to God's name, so too do our actions, words, and attitudes in the public square and private sphere impact how the world perceives Christianity and, by extension, God Himself. This verse calls us to a life of intentional holiness and integrity, recognizing that our primary calling is to glorify God's name in all that we do. It compels us to examine whether our lives are a consistent testament to His power, goodness, and truth, or if they, by inconsistency, compromise, or outright disobedience, inadvertently "profane" His sacred identity. Moreover, this passage offers immense comfort and hope, reminding us that even in our failures and shortcomings, God remains utterly faithful to His own character and purposes. His ultimate concern for His name means that He will act to vindicate Himself, often working through our weaknesses to display His strength and grace, ensuring that His perfect will is accomplished for His glory and the ultimate good of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might my daily actions, words, or attitudes inadvertently "profane" God's name in the eyes of those who do not know Him, or even within the believing community?**
* **How does understanding God's ultimate concern for His own "holy name" deepen my appreciation for His sovereignty and grace, especially when I consider my own unworthiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to live in a way that more intentionally honors and glorifies God's name in my personal, professional, and spiritual spheres, becoming a true reflection of His character?**

### FAQ
**Why is God so concerned with His "name" in this verse and throughout Scripture?**

Answer: God's "name" in biblical theology is far more than a mere label; it represents His entire being, character, attributes, authority, and reputation. When the Bible speaks of God's concern for His name, it means He is concerned for His own intrinsic holiness, glory, and the accurate perception of who He is by all creation. In Ezekiel 36:21, Israel's unfaithfulness caused the Gentile nations to draw false conclusions about God – perhaps that He was weak, unjust, or unable to protect His people. This effectively "profaned" His name, treating His sacred identity as common or contemptible. God's concern for His name, therefore, is His resolute determination to vindicate His true character, to demonstrate His power and justice, and to ensure that His glory is recognized among all peoples. This is a consistent theme from the [Ten Commandments, which forbid misusing His name](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - Do Not Misuse God's Name"), to the prayer Jesus taught His disciples, "Hallowed be your name" ([Matthew 6:9](/matthew/6-9 "Matthew 6:9 - Hallowed Be Your Name")). God acts for His name's sake because His name is inseparable from His very being and His ultimate purpose to be glorified.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:21, with its profound emphasis on God acting for the sake of His holy name, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Throughout history, humanity, beginning with Israel, consistently profaned God's name through sin, disobedience, and idolatry, bringing dishonor to the Creator. Yet, Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly glorified the Father's name through His obedient life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection. In His high priestly prayer, Jesus declared, "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world" ([John 17:6](/john/17-6 "John 17:6 - Jesus Manifests the Father's Name")), and prayed, "Father, glorify your name" ([John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Father, Glorify Your Name")). The "pity" God had for His name, which led Him to restore Israel, culminates in Christ's work on the cross, where the ultimate profanation of God's holiness (human sin) was dealt with definitively, and God's perfect righteousness and justice were gloriously displayed. The new covenant promised in Ezekiel 36, where God would give a new heart and put His Spirit within His people ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")), is inaugurated through Christ's sacrifice and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ([Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost")). Through this new covenant, believers are empowered to live lives that truly honor God's name, becoming a people who genuinely reflect His holiness among the nations, thereby fulfilling God's ancient promise to vindicate His name through His redeemed people in Christ.

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

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.