But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God’s action in bringing Israel out of Egypt wasn't primarily about their worthiness, but about His own reputation. He acted to prevent the surrounding nations from seeing Him as a God who couldn't keep His promises or lacked the power to follow through, thereby preserving the integrity of His name among them.
But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is addressing the elders of Israel, recounting their repeated rebellions in the wilderness and their continued disobedience even after experiencing His mighty acts. He's explaining that despite their persistent sinfulness, He didn't utterly destroy them because His reputation was at stake among the nations who witnessed His power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. This divine restraint, driven by God's own glory, is the reason He continued to spare them, not their own merit.
Why does God save His people? It might seem like it's all about us, but this verse points to a deeper motivation.
Ezekiel 20:9 reveals that God's actions, even when saving His people, are primarily driven by concern for His own reputation, His 'name.' This isn't about arrogance, but about His character and the truth of who He is.
The Weight of God's Name
God's name represents His very being, His attributes, His promises, and His character as He has revealed it. When the prophet says God acted 'for the sake of my name,' he means God acted to uphold His truthfulness and power in the eyes of the world.
Protecting His Glory
The nations surrounding Israel were watching. If God had allowed Israel to be destroyed or remain enslaved in Egypt due to their sin, the nations would have concluded that the God of Israel was either a liar (unable to keep His promises) or powerless. This would have 'profaned' or defiled His name, meaning it would have brought Him reproach and dishonor.
God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, and the demonstration of His power in their rescue, was essential to preserve the integrity and glory of His name among all peoples.
The deliverance from Egypt wasn't a private event. It was a cosmic spectacle designed to reveal God's power and faithfulness.
The verse highlights that God made Himself known to the nations by bringing Israel out of Egypt. This was not just an act of rescue for the Israelites; it was a public demonstration of divine power and covenant faithfulness.
Ask a follow-up
God Revealed Through Miracles
God didn't just open a door for Israel to leave; He poured out His power through miraculous signs and wonders. These events were not meant to be hidden. They were meant to be seen and acknowledged by the Egyptians and any other nations who heard about them.
A Witness to All Peoples
Ezekiel states God 'made himself known... in the sight of the nations.' This means the Exodus served as undeniable proof to the surrounding peoples that the God of Israel was real, powerful, and committed to His chosen people. Their deliverance was a testament to His character that transcended national borders.
Understand the original words
chalal · Hebrew Verb
To treat something sacred with disrespect or to treat it as common. For God's name to be profaned is for His reputation and glory to be obscured, dishonored, or blasphemed among men.
Ezekiel's prophecy highlights that God's primary motivation for sparing Israel, even in their rebellion, was His own reputation. The miraculous Exodus from Egypt was the foundational event where God revealed Himself, and any further destruction of His people would have been seen by the nations as God's failure, thus profaning His holy name.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
God powerfully delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, performing numerous miracles. This event was meant to reveal God's power and faithfulness to Israel and the surrounding nations.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
Following the Exodus, the Israelites wandered in the Sinai wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. During this time, they repeatedly sinned and tested God.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Led by Joshua, the Israelites entered and began conquering the Promised Land, fulfilling God's covenant promises.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
Under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, Israel became a prominent kingdom, with its status and God's name known more widely.
931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the unified kingdom split into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south, leading to further spiritual decline.
722 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The powerful Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them. This event served as a warning to Judah.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, exiling most of the people of Judah. Ezekiel prophesied during this period.
Moses pleads with God to relent from destroying Israel, appealing directly to God's 'name' and reputation among the Egyptians.
Deuteronomy 9:28This passage echoes the same concern that God's power and faithfulness would be questioned by the Egyptians if He were to destroy Israel.
Isaiah 48:11God declares He will act for His own glory and will not give His glory to another, aligning with Ezekiel's theme of acting for the sake of His name.
Romans 2:24This New Testament passage warns that the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of the disobedience of His people, reflecting the core concern in Ezekiel 20:9.
cambridgeEzekiel 20:9: "But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt."
9 . for my name’s sake ] This idea, very common in this prophet, also in Isaiah 40-66, does not appear in the earlier prophets, except Isaiah 37:35 . Cf. however, Deuteronomy 9:28-29 ; Jeremiah 14:7 ; Jeremiah 14:21 ; Isaiah 43:25 ; Isaiah 48:9 ; Isaiah 48:11 . Jehovah’s name expr…
calvinEzekiel 20:9: "But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt."
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
Et feci propter nomen meum ne profanaretur in oculis gentium, in quibus…
God’s action in bringing Israel out of Egypt wasn't primarily about their worthiness, but about His own reputation. He acted to prevent the surrounding nations from seeing Him as a God who couldn't keep His promises or lacked the power to follow through, thereby preserving the integrity of His name among them.
God is addressing the elders of Israel, recounting their repeated rebellions in the wilderness and their continued disobedience even after experiencing His mighty acts. He's explaining that despite their persistent sinfulness, He didn't utterly destroy them because His reputation was at stake among the nations who witnessed His power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. This divine restraint, driven by God's own glory, is the reason He continued to spare them, not their own merit.
God is addressing the elders of Israel, recounting their repeated rebellions in the wilderness and their continued disobedience even after experiencing His mighty acts. He's explaining that despite their persistent sinfulness, He didn't utterly destroy them because His reputation was at stake among the nations who witnessed His power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. This divine restraint, driven by God's own glory, is the reason He continued to spare them, not their own merit.
"But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt." — God’s action in bringing Israel out of Egypt wasn't primarily about their worthiness, but about His own reputation. He acted to prevent the surrounding nations from seeing Him as a God who couldn't k…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026