Ezekiel 36:20
But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The real kicker here isn't just that Israel's exile made them look bad, but that the reason it was so bad was the assumption of the nations: they viewed God as purely local, so Israel's defeat meant their God was weak and unable to protect them. This verse highlights how deeply intertwined Israel's actions were with the world's perception of God's power and faithfulness.
As Israel lived in exile among the nations, their very presence became a reproach. The surrounding peoples saw that this "chosen people" had been driven from their land and mocked them, questioning the power and faithfulness of their God, Jehovah. This situation brought shame not only on Israel but, more importantly, on God's holy name, leading Him to declare His intent to restore them for His own glory.
Understand the original words
chalal · Hebrew Verb
To treat something sacred with irreverence or to treat the holy as if it were common or profane. It involves lowering the status of what God has set apart as special, thereby failing to give God the honor and weight that His reputation demands.
qodesh shem · Hebrew Noun phrase
A designation of God's essential character: His moral perfection, purity, and separateness from all that is corrupt. His name represents His reputation, glory, and the sum of His revealed character, which demands reverent treatment by all humanity.
This verse powerfully captures the shame and divine anger experienced when God's chosen people, through their disobedience, become a reproach among the nations, leading people to question God's power and character.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event demonstrated that God's protection was not guaranteed if His people strayed from His ways.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of its people, including members of the royal family and skilled workers, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, after a rebellion. The exiles lived among the Babylonians, witnessing firsthand the surrounding nations' understanding of their God.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population. This catastrophic event intensified the shame and reproach the Judeans faced among the nations.
bensonEzekiel 36:20: "And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land."
Ezekiel 36:20 . When they entered unto the heathen, they profaned my holy name — 1st, By their evil practices they brought a scandal on God’s name, and gave occasion to the heathen to say, See what profligate wretches these are, who call themselves Jehovah’s peculiar people; judge what sort of a God…
clarkeEzekiel 36:20: "And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land."
And when they entered unto the heathen - So bad were they, and so deeply fallen, that they profaned the Lord's name among the heathen; and, on their account, the true God was blasphemed. These, say they, are the people of Jehovah! O what an abominable people are these! and what a being must that God…
The real kicker here isn't just that Israel's exile made them look bad, but that the reason it was so bad was the assumption of the nations: they viewed God as purely local, so Israel's defeat meant their God was weak and unable to protect them. This verse highlights how deeply intertwined Israel's actions were with the world's perception of God's power and faithfulness.
As Israel lived in exile among the nations, their very presence became a reproach. The surrounding peoples saw that this "chosen people" had been driven from their land and mocked them, questioning the power and faithfulness of their God, Jehovah. This situation brought shame not only on Israel but, more importantly, on God's holy name, leading Him to declare His intent to restore them for His own glory.
As Israel lived in exile among the nations, their very presence became a reproach. The surrounding peoples saw that this "chosen people" had been driven from their land and mocked them, questioning the power and faithfulness of their God, Jehovah. This situation brought shame not only on Israel but, more importantly, on God's holy name, leading Him to declare His intent to restore them for His own glory.
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c. 571 BC
Ezekiel's Oracles of Restoration
Ezekiel delivers prophecies of hope and restoration to the exiles, emphasizing that God's ultimate purpose was to vindicate His holy name and regather His people.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of some Jewish exiles to Judah.
"But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.’" — The real kicker here isn't just that Israel's exile made them look bad, but that the reason it was so bad was the assumption of the nations: they viewed God as purely local, so Israel's defeat mean…
