Ezekiel 36:23

23 And I will consecrate my great name, which [was] profaned among the nations [and] which you have profaned in the midst of them, and the nations will know that I [am] Yahweh!" ' [a] declaration of the Lord Yahweh, {when I show myself holy} {before} their eyes.

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 And I was concerned for {my holy name}, which, the house [of] Israel defiled among the nations {to which they went}.

22 "Therefore thus say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "{Not for your sake} [am] I about to act, house of Israel, {but} {for my holy name}, which you defiled among the nations {to which you went}.

23 And I will consecrate my great name, which [was] profaned among the nations [and] which you have profaned in the midst of them, and the nations will know that I [am] Yahweh!" ' [a] declaration of the Lord Yahweh, {when I show myself holy} {before} their eyes.

24 " 'And I will take you from the nations, and I will gather you from all of the lands, and I will bring you to your land.

25 And I will sprinkle on you pure water, and you will be clean from all of your uncleanness, and I will cleanse you from all of your idols.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "at/in showing/to show self holy my"
• [b] Literally "to their eyes"