Ezekiel 36:23

23 "I will 1vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the 2nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the Lord GOD, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.

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 "But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
23 "I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD ," declares the Lord GOD, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
24 "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.
25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Isaiah 5:16; Ezekiel 20:41; Ezekiel 38:23; Ezekiel 39:7, 25
  • 2. Psalms 102:15; Psalms 126:2
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