Ezekiel 20 22

Ezekiel 20:22 kjv

Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, 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.

Ezekiel 20:22 nkjv

Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 20:22 niv

But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 20:22 esv

But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 20:22 nlt

Nevertheless, I withdrew my judgment against them to protect the honor of my name before the nations that had seen my power in bringing them out of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 22 Meaning

Despite the repeated and severe rebellion of the Israelites, God restrained His destructive judgment. His decision to show mercy and preserve them was not based on their merit but driven solely by His commitment to protect the holiness and integrity of His divine name. This was paramount, as His reputation as the sovereign and faithful God had been publicly established before the surrounding Gentile nations when He delivered Israel from Egypt. To destroy His people in their sight would have discredited His power and promises.

Ezekiel 20 22 Context

Ezekiel chapter 20 presents a stern historical review of Israel’s perpetual rebellion against God, recounted to the elders who sought counsel. From their time in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land, the people consistently despised God’s statutes and profaned His Sabbaths and idols. In verse 21, God details a new level of provocation by the second generation in the wilderness, who also refused to obey His laws. Verse 22 acts as a crucial turning point within this narrative, explaining why divine judgment, which was threatened multiple times, did not utterly consume them. It highlights God’s sovereign choice to hold back His wrath, not because of Israel’s righteousness, but because of His concern for His own holy Name among the nations who had witnessed His powerful acts of redemption. This serves as a precursor to His ultimate, sovereign acts of restoration, again "for His name's sake."

Ezekiel 20 22 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (וָאָשׁוֹב - wa'âshob): This conjunction signifies a strong contrast or reversal of expected action. Despite the rebellion outlined in the preceding verses, God chose a different course. It implies a moment of divine deliberation where mercy prevailed over deserved judgment.
• I withdrew (וָאָשׁוֹב - wa'âshob; root שׁוּב - shûv): Meaning "I turned back," "I restored," or "I withheld." Here, it directly translates to God holding back His hand from fully executing His judgment or cutting them off entirely, rather than allowing His wrath to continue unhindered.
• My hand (יָדִי - yâdî): Symbolically represents God's power, authority, and ability to act, particularly in judgment or intervention. Withdrawing it means restraining His punitive action.
• and acted (וָאֶעֱשֶׂה - wa'e'eseh): Signifies a deliberate, positive intervention. God chose to do something specific – to preserve His name – rather than to do nothing or unleash full wrath. It’s an act of divine volition.
• for the sake of (לְמַעַן - l^ema'an): A crucial preposition denoting purpose, cause, or reason. It explicitly states the motivation behind God's action, clearly directing it towards His name and not Israel's worthiness.
• My name (שְׁמִי - sh^emî): Refers to God's entire being, character, reputation, authority, and identity. It is His revealed essence. Protecting His name is protecting who He is, His truthfulness, power, and holiness.
• that it should not be profaned (לְבִלְתִּי חַלֵּל - l^ebiltî ḥallel): Profaned (חָלַל - ḥalal) means "to make common, to defile, desecrate, cheapen." God sought to prevent His holy reputation from being degraded or devalued in the eyes of observers, lest they perceive Him as weak, fickle, or incapable.
• in the sight of (בְּעֵינֵי - b^e'einê): Emphasizes visibility and public witness. The Gentiles were observers, and God's actions had external implications. His character was being publicly displayed and evaluated.
• the Gentiles (הַגּוֹיִם - hagoyim): The non-Israelite nations; often seen as ungodly, yet vital witnesses to God's self-revelation. Their perception mattered for God’s larger redemptive plan.
• in whose sight (אֲשֶׁר בְּעֵינֵיהֶם - 'asher b^e'eineyhem): Reiteration of the visibility of the audience, stressing their awareness of previous events.
• I had brought them out (הוֹצֵאתִים - hotse'etim): Directly refers to the Exodus from Egypt. This public, miraculous deliverance was a foundational event where God displayed His power and established His covenant name (YHWH) before the world.

Words-Group Analysis

• "Nevertheless I withdrew My hand": This phrase captures the essence of divine forbearance. Despite having every right and reason to bring final judgment, God chose self-restraint. It underscores His sovereignty and longsuffering, a core aspect of His character (Exo 34:6).
• "and acted for the sake of My name": This explicitly states God’s primary motivation. It refutes any notion that Israel's obedience or merit was the cause of their preservation. God's glory and integrity were at stake, showing a higher purpose in His redemptive history.
• "that it should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles": This grouping highlights the broader, universal scope of God’s redemptive work. His reputation and the testimony of His character were paramount not just to Israel but to all nations, establishing a foundation for His later self-revelation through Christ (Isa 49:6).
• "in whose sight I had brought them out": This firmly connects the present act of divine restraint to the initial, public act of the Exodus. The miraculous deliverance had made God’s power and faithfulness known. A subsequent destruction of Israel in the wilderness would undermine the message of that earlier act in the eyes of those same Gentile observers, contradicting God's revealed character.

Ezekiel 20 22 Bonus section

• Theological Sophistication: This verse displays a deep theological truth often misunderstood: God’s ultimate purpose centers on His own glory and Name, not merely on human well-being or convenience. However, His Name is inextricably linked to His goodness, faithfulness, and justice, which ultimately benefits humanity. It clarifies that His saving acts are grace-driven by His self-identity, not a reward for human virtue.
• Polemic against Idolatry: By asserting that He acts "for My name's sake" in a world of polytheism, God implicitly distinguishes Himself from local, powerless deities. The profanation of a pagan god's name implied that the god was weak or had been conquered. God's act ensures His uniqueness and sovereign power are not questioned, in stark contrast to the gods of Egypt or Canaan.
• A Recurring Motif: The theme of God acting for His Name’s sake is not unique to Ezekiel 20. It runs through the Old Testament as a critical theological explanation for why God continues to uphold His covenant promises despite Israel's consistent failures. This recurring motif laid the groundwork for understanding the ultimate divine intervention in Christ, where God's Name is most perfectly glorified and upheld.

Ezekiel 20 22 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:22 profoundly reveals God's consistent motive in dealing with Israel's chronic rebellion: the preservation of His own holy Name. Time and again, despite provocation that warranted utter destruction, God's intervention was motivated by His character and public testimony. To the original exilic audience, this offered both conviction (about their ongoing sin) and hope (in God's steadfast commitment to His Name). This foundational principle implies God's redemptive actions are never arbitrary or reactive to human merit, but rooted in His unchanging divine identity. For instance, when individuals claim Christ, their actions reflect on Him; hence, God equips believers to live lives that honor His name, showing forth His light (Matt 5:16). A father disciplining his child often does so not merely for punishment, but to teach honor and prevent their actions from shaming the family name. Similarly, God's restraint here was to prevent His name from being "shamed" or reduced to nothing among those who were observing.