Ezekiel 36:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will sanctify {H6942} my great {H1419} name {H8034}, which was profaned {H2490} among the heathen {H1471}, which ye have profaned {H2490} in the midst {H8432} of them; and the heathen {H1471} shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, when I shall be sanctified {H6942} in you before their eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will set apart my great name to be regarded as holy, since it has been profaned in the nations - you profaned it among them. The nations will know that I am ADONAI,' says Adonai ELOHIM, 'when, before their eyes, I am set apart through you to be regarded as holy.

Berean Standard Bible

I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when I show My holiness in you before their eyes.

American Standard Version

And I will sanctify my great name, which hath been profaned among the nations, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, saith the Lord Jehovah, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:23 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering commitment to restore His own holy name, which had been desecrated by Israel's unfaithfulness and subsequent exile among the nations. This pivotal verse reveals that God's forthcoming actions of restoration and spiritual renewal for His people are not primarily motivated by their merit, but by His zeal for His own glory and reputation. It asserts that through His redemptive work in Israel, the surrounding Gentile nations will ultimately come to know and acknowledge Him as the sovereign LORD, thereby vindicating His character and power before all eyes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36:23 is situated within a broader prophetic oracle (Ezekiel 36:16-38) concerning the restoration of Israel, following extensive chapters detailing their sin, judgment, and exile. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 36:16-20) recount how Israel's idolatry and moral defilement in their own land led to their dispersion among the nations, where their presence, as God's chosen people in exile, caused His holy name to be profaned in the eyes of the Gentiles. God's declaration in verse 23 directly responds to this desecration, setting the stage for the glorious promises of spiritual transformation and return to the land that follow, including the giving of a new heart and a new spirit in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit"). The entire chapter emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in restoration, driven by His character rather than Israel's worthiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel was delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the Babylonian captivity (early 6th century BCE). The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BCE, and the subsequent exile, were seen by surrounding nations as evidence of the weakness or defeat of Israel's God. In the ancient Near East, the reputation of a deity was inextricably linked to the prosperity and power of their people. Thus, Israel's defeat and dispersion led the "heathen" (Gentile nations) to mock or dismiss the God of Israel, thereby "profaning" His name. God's promise to "sanctify" His name implies a public demonstration of His power and faithfulness that would reverse this perception, asserting His supremacy over all other gods and nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights **God's paramount concern for His own glory and name**, which is the ultimate motivation for His actions, even in the salvation of His people. This theme resonates with passages like [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "Isaiah 48:11 - God Acts for His Own Sake"), where God declares, "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act." Secondly, it underscores the **profanation of God's name** by His people's unfaithfulness, demonstrating the serious implications of covenant disobedience. Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **God's vindication and self-revelation to the nations**, emphasizing that His redemptive work in Israel has a universal scope. The recurring phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" throughout Ezekiel, as seen in [Ezekiel 37:13](/ezekiel/37-13 "Ezekiel 37:13 - Knowing the LORD through Resurrection"), points to God's ultimate aim of making His true identity and power known to all peoples, not just Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** H6942. This primitive root means to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); to appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, or purify. In this context, God's act of "sanctifying" His name means to restore it to its rightful, exalted, and holy status. It is an active demonstration of His holiness and power, cleansing it from the defilement it suffered due to Israel's actions and the subsequent mockery of the nations.
* **Profaned (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** H2490. This root means to bore, wound, dissolve, or figuratively, to profane (a person, place, or thing), to break (one's word), or to treat as common. It stands in stark contrast to "sanctify." Israel's unfaithfulness and exile caused God's name to be treated as ordinary, contemptible, or even mocked by the surrounding "heathen," thereby diminishing its perceived honor and authority.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** H8034. This word refers to an appellation, a mark or memorial of individuality, and by implication, honor, authority, and character. In biblical theology, God's "name" is not merely a label but represents His entire being, His revealed character, His reputation, His power, and His covenant faithfulness. To profane His name is to dishonor His very essence; to sanctify it is to reveal His true, glorious nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will sanctify my great name,"**: This opening clause establishes God's sovereign initiative and primary motivation. His "great name" encapsulates His entire being, power, and reputation, which He Himself will vindicate and elevate to its proper holy status.
* **"which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them;"**: This section highlights the dual source of the name's desecration. Firstly, it was profaned "among the heathen" (Gentile nations) who witnessed Israel's defeat and exile, interpreting it as God's weakness. Secondly, and more culpably, it was Israel themselves ("which ye have profaned") who, through their disobedience and idolatry, brought dishonor upon God's name even before their dispersion.
* **"and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD,"**: This clause declares the ultimate outcome of God's sanctifying work. The Gentile nations, who previously mocked or misunderstood Him, will come to a profound, experiential knowledge of His true identity as YHWH (the covenant-keeping, self-existent God), affirmed by the authoritative declaration, "saith the Lord GOD."
* **"when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes."**: This final phrase reveals the means by which God's name will be sanctified and made known. It is "in you" (Israel) and "before their eyes" (the eyes of the heathen) that God's redemptive power and holiness will be demonstrated. Israel's restoration, purification, and transformation will serve as a visible, undeniable testimony to God's character and power, compelling the nations to acknowledge Him.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the repeated use of "profaned" and "sanctify," creating a stark contrast and emphasizing the central conflict and resolution of the verse. The phrase "profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them" highlights the dual culpability and the widespread nature of the dishonor. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the concept of God's "name" being profaned and sanctified, attributing human-like qualities (honor, reputation) to the divine. This allows for a relatable understanding of God's concern for His glory. The verse also functions as a powerful **prophetic declaration**, marked by the authoritative "saith the Lord GOD," which imbues the promise with divine certainty and solemnity. Finally, the entire verse is a form of **divine vindication**, where God asserts His intent to clear His name and demonstrate His sovereignty to a watching world, transforming a situation of shame into one of glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:23 is a cornerstone for understanding God's ultimate motivation in salvation history: the glorification of His own name. It reveals that while God deeply loves His people and desires their restoration, His actions are fundamentally rooted in His unshakeable commitment to His own holiness and reputation. This divine self-interest is not selfish but serves as the bedrock of all covenant promises, ensuring that His faithfulness will prevail despite human failure. The verse underscores the profound responsibility of God's people to bear His name worthily, for their conduct directly impacts how the world perceives their God. Ultimately, it points to a future where God's true identity and power will be undeniably revealed to all nations through His redemptive work.

* [Leviticus 22:32](/leviticus/22-32 "Leviticus 22:32 - Do Not Profane My Holy Name")
* [Isaiah 48:11](/isaiah/48-11 "Isaiah 48:11 - God Acts for His Own Sake")
* [Psalm 115:1](/psalm/115-1 "Psalm 115:1 - Not to Us, O LORD, But to Your Name Be Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:23 offers a profound challenge and comfort to believers today. It reminds us that our lives, as those who bear the name of Christ, are not merely personal journeys but public testimonies that either honor or dishonor God's "great name." When we live in disobedience, hypocrisy, or compromise, we risk "profaning" the very name we claim to serve, causing those outside the faith to question the power and reality of our God. Conversely, when we walk in faithfulness, humility, and love, transformed by His Spirit, our lives become a living demonstration of His holiness and power, causing others to "know that He is the LORD." This verse also provides immense comfort, assuring us that even when we fail, God's commitment to His own glory is unwavering. He will ultimately accomplish His purposes and vindicate His name, often working through our very brokenness to display His redemptive power. This should inspire us to live with intentionality, seeking to glorify God in every aspect of our lives, knowing that our witness has eternal implications for how the world perceives Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my actions, attitudes, or words inadvertently "profane" God's name in the eyes of those around me?**
* **How can my daily life, transformed by God's Spirit, actively "sanctify" His great name before others?**
* **What does it mean for me to live as a visible testimony to God's character and power in my community and beyond?**
* **How does the assurance that God will ultimately sanctify His own name, despite human failure, impact my trust and hope in Him?**

### FAQ

**Why is God so concerned about His "name" being sanctified?**

Answer: In biblical thought, God's "name" represents His entire character, reputation, authority, and very being. It's not just a label but the sum total of who He is and how He has revealed Himself. When His name is "profaned," it means His character is misrepresented, His authority is questioned, and His power is doubted, especially by those who do not know Him. God's concern for His name is therefore a concern for His own glory and for the accurate understanding of His divine nature. He acts to "sanctify" it to demonstrate His holiness, power, and faithfulness, proving that He truly is the sovereign God, not a weak or defeated deity. This vindication of His name is essential for His universal reign and for all creation to acknowledge Him.

**How did Israel "profane" God's name among the heathen?**

Answer: Israel profaned God's name primarily through their disobedience to His covenant laws, their idolatry, and their moral corruption while living in the land God had given them. As God's chosen people, they were meant to be a holy nation that reflected His character to the surrounding world. When they engaged in the same sins as the pagan nations, and subsequently suffered judgment and exile, the "heathen" concluded that Israel's God was either unable to protect them or was no different from their own defeated deities. This brought reproach upon God's name, making Him appear weak or unfaithful. Ezekiel 36:17-20 details how their conduct and their subsequent dispersion caused God's name to be "profaned" wherever they went.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:23 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While God promised to sanctify His name in Israel, the complete and perfect sanctification of God's great name occurred through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Humanity, represented by Israel, had continually profaned God's name through sin. But in Christ, God's name was perfectly honored and glorified. Jesus Himself prayed, "Father, glorify Your name" ([John 12:28](/john/12-28 "John 12:28 - Jesus Prays for God's Name to Be Glorified")), and His entire mission was to reveal the Father and make His name known ([John 17:6](/john/17-6 "John 17:6 - Jesus Has Revealed God's Name")). The cross, though appearing as weakness to the world, was God's ultimate demonstration of holiness, justice, and love, where His name was supremely vindicated. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the sin that profaned God's name was dealt with once and for all. Now, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live lives that genuinely "sanctify" God's name before a watching world, fulfilling the promise of God being sanctified "in you before their eyes" ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into His Image")). The church, as the new Israel, is called to be a people through whom God's great name is honored and His glory displayed to all nations, anticipating the day when "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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 20:41

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.

Ezekiel 39:7

So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not [let them] pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

Isaiah 5:16

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Ezekiel 39:28

Then shall they know that I [am] the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 126:1

¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.