Israel

Ezekiel 36:16-23

Ezekiel · ~586 BC · Status: Disputed · Evidence weight: 60%
“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.”
King James Version · the opening — all 8 verses are below
More of Ezekiel 36 on this siteEzekiel 36:1-15 · Ezekiel 36:24 · Ezekiel 36:25-32 · Ezekiel 36:26 · Ezekiel 36:33-38

God's motivation for regathering Israel as his holy name's vindication before the nations, not for Israel's merit.

Read the whole passage — all 8 verses (KJV)

36:16Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

36:17Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

36:18Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:

36:19And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.

36:20And 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.

36:21But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

36:22Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

36:23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Fulfillment References

Romans 11:28-29 Philippians 2:9-11 Acts 4:12

How Traditions Read This Prophecy

Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalGod will act 'not for your sakes... but for mine holy name's sake' — to sanctify His great Name, profaned among the nations, by gathering and cleansing Israel. The vindication of the Name is the engine of redemption; and that Name, sanctified before all nations, is revealed in the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:12; Phil. 2:9-11). God redeems His people for the glory of His own Name — the saving Name of Jesus.
JewishGod restores Israel for the sake of His holy Name (kiddush ha-Shem), which the exile had profaned among the nations; His honor, not Israel's merit, drives the rescue.
CatholicGod's redemption for the glory of His Name, fulfilled in the sanctification of the Name in Christ; grace, not merit.
ProtestantSalvation by grace for God's Name's sake, not human worthiness — a clear statement of unmerited redemption.
AcademicEzekiel's distinctive 'for my name's sake' theology; the profaning and hallowing of the divine Name among the nations is the oracle's hinge.
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