Ezekiel 36:23

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.

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}.

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.

I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nationsโ€”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.

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

Ezekiel 36:23 is a pivotal verse in the prophetic book of Ezekiel, declaring God's unwavering commitment to restore His holy name among the nations. It emphasizes that God's actions are driven not by Israel's merit, but by His own divine character and reputation, which had been dishonored by His people's actions and subsequent exile.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Ezekiel 36, where God promises a future restoration for the scattered house of Israel. Following chapters that detail Israel's sin and the judgment of exile, God now reveals His plan for their return and spiritual renewal. The preceding verses lament how Israel's unfaithfulness among the nations had caused God's name to be "profaned" or defiled. This verse sets the stage for the glorious promises of a new covenant, a new heart, and the indwelling of God's Spirit, as seen in Ezekiel 36:26-27. God's primary motivation for this restoration is the vindication of His own holy name before a watching world, rather than Israel's inherent righteousness.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereignty and Glory: The verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate concern for His own "great name." He acts decisively to "sanctify" or make holy what was defiled, demonstrating His absolute control and the supremacy of His glory. This echoes sentiments found in other prophets, such as Isaiah 48:11, where God declares He acts for His own sake.
  • Profanation of God's Name: Israel, as God's chosen people, was meant to represent Him to the world. Their disobedience, idolatry, and subsequent judgment (exile) led the surrounding "heathen" nations to question God's power and faithfulness, thus "profaning" His name. Their actions made God seem weak or unable to protect His people.
  • Vindication and Sanctification: God promises, "I will sanctify my great name." This is an active work of God to demonstrate His holiness and power. By restoring Israel and transforming them, God will reveal His true character to the nations, proving that He is indeed the mighty and faithful LORD.
  • Witness to the Nations: A crucial outcome is that "the heathen shall know that I am the LORD." God's redemptive work in Israel is not just for Israel's benefit but also serves as a powerful testimony to the Gentile world. This theme of God making Himself known to all nations is central to biblical prophecy, as seen in Ezekiel 37:13 and beyond.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Sanctify" (ืงึธื“ึทืฉื - qadash): This Hebrew word means to make holy, set apart, or treat as sacred. It implies a restoration to its rightful, exalted status.
  • "Profaned" (ื—ึธืœึทืœ - chalal): The opposite of sanctify, this term means to defile, pollute, or treat as common or contemptible. Israel's actions and exile caused God's name to be treated as ordinary or even mocked by the surrounding nations.
  • "LORD" (ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” - YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His covenant promises. The declaration "they shall know that I am the LORD" is a recurring motif in Ezekiel, emphasizing God's self-revelation.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 36:23 offers profound insights for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that God's glory and the honor of His name are paramount. Our lives, as followers of Christ, are meant to reflect His holiness. When we live in disobedience, it can inadvertently bring reproach upon God's name among those who do not know Him. Conversely, living a life transformed by God's Spirit, as promised in the new covenant, serves as a powerful witness to the world, causing others to "know that He is the LORD." This verse provides assurance of God's faithfulness to His purposes, even when His people fail, and encourages us to live in a way that truly sanctifies His great name before all eyes.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 20:41 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • 1 Peter 2:9 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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