Ezekiel 36:23

23 But I will show everyone how holy my great name is. You have treated it as if it were not holy. So I will use you to show the nations how holy I am. Then they will know that I am the Lord," announces the LORD and King.

Ezekiel 36:23 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 36:23

And I will sanctify my great name
The same with his holy name; for his greatness lies in his holiness; which name he sanctifies when he clears it from all charges and imputations; when he makes it appear to be holy and himself to be glorious in holiness; when he vindicates the honour of his name, not in a way of punishment, as he justly might, but in a way of grace and mercy; he sanctifies his name when he proclaims it, a God gracious and merciful; for it was in this way and manner he determined to make himself illustrious and glorious, and do honour to his name: which was profaned among the Heathen, which ye have profaned in the
midst of them;
this is repeated again and again, to show the heinousness of this sin, how ill he took it at their hands, and what a concern it gave him: and the Heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when
I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes;
when the Lord shall fulfil his promises, and deliver his people; when he shall sanctify, justify, and save them; and he shall be sanctified, served, and worshipped by them, and among them: it will be taken notice of by infidels themselves; and they shall hereby know, and be obliged to acknowledge, that the God of Israel is the only Lord God; that he is true and faithful to his word, righteous and holy, in his ways, the Lord God omniscient and omnipotent.

Ezekiel 36:23 In-Context

21 I was concerned about my holy name. The people of Israel treated it as if it were not holy. They did it everywhere they went among the nations.
22 "But tell the people of Israel, 'The LORD and King speaks. He says, "People of Israel, I will not take action for your benefit. Instead, I will act for the honor of my holy name. You have treated it as if it were not holy. You did it everywhere you went among the nations.
23 But I will show everyone how holy my great name is. You have treated it as if it were not holy. So I will use you to show the nations how holy I am. Then they will know that I am the Lord," announces the LORD and King.
24 " ' "I will take you out of the nations. I will gather you together from all of the countries. I will bring you back into your own land.
25 " ' "I will sprinkle pure water on you. Then you will be 'clean.' I will make you completely pure and clean. I will take all of the statues of your gods away from you.
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