Therefore 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.

EZEKIEL 36:22KJV
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Ezekiel 36:22 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 36:22 mean?

Ezekiel 36:22 says that God’s reason for acting toward Israel is the standing of his holy name among the nations. The people have brought dishonor on that name while living among other peoples, and God’s coming action addresses that dishonor.

God tells Ezekiel to deliver this message to the “house of Israel,” meaning the people of Israel. After God expresses concern for his name in verse 21, verse 22 makes that concern the reason for what he is about to do.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 36:22

  • “name’s” — שֵׁם (shem): A name can mean more than a way to identify someone; it can also carry the sense of reputation. Here, God’s name is connected with how the nations regard him.
  • “profaned” — חָלַל (ḥalal): This word can carry the sense of treating something holy as ordinary or dishonored. Israel’s conduct among the nations has brought God’s holy name into disrepute.
  • “heathen” — גּוֹיִם (goyim): The word means “nations” or “peoples.” In this verse, the KJV uses “heathen” for the other nations among whom Israel had gone.

Why Ezekiel 36:22 matters

  • The verse points beyond Israel to the nations watching. Verse 23 says the nations will know who God is when he shows the holiness of his name before them.
  • The action in view includes bringing Israel home. Verse 24 speaks of gathering the people from the countries and bringing them into their own land, giving a concrete setting for “I do” in verse 22.

Where else these words appear

“profaned” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
  • Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;