Ezekiel 20:22

22 But I held back my anger. I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored in full view of the nations who watched as I brought the Israelites out.

Ezekiel 20:22 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:22

Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand
When it was stretched out against them, as in the above instance, and did not utterly consume them. The Targum is,

``and I turned away the stroke of my might:''

and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the
sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
(See Gill on Ezekiel 20:9) and (See Gill on Ezekiel 20:14).

Ezekiel 20:22 In-Context

20 Keep my Sabbaths holy, and they will be a sign between me and you. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God."

21 "'But the children turned against me. They did not live by my rules, nor were they careful to obey my laws, by which people will live if they obey them. They dishonored my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my anger against them in the desert.

22 But I held back my anger. I acted for the sake of my name so it would not be dishonored in full view of the nations who watched as I brought the Israelites out.

23 And in the desert I swore to the Israelites that I would scatter them among the nations and spread them among the countries,

24 because they had not obeyed my laws. They had rejected my rules and dishonored my Sabbaths and worshiped the idols of their parents.