Ezekiel 20:14
New International Version
But 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.

New Living Translation
But again I held back in order to protect the honor of my name before the nations who had seen my power in bringing Israel out of Egypt.

English Standard Version
But I 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.

Berean Standard Bible
But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

King James Bible
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

New King James Version
But I acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.

New American Standard Bible
But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be defiled before the eyes of the nations, before whose eyes I had brought them out.

NASB 1995
“But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out.

NASB 1977
“But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out.

Amplified Bible
But I acted for My Name’s sake, that it would not be profaned in the sight of the [pagan] nations in whose sight I had brought them out [of slavery].

Christian Standard Bible
But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But I acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

American Standard Version
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Contemporary English Version
But that would have disgraced me, because many other nations had seen me bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

English Revised Version
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But I acted so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out [of Egypt].

Good News Translation
But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt.

International Standard Version
I did this so my reputation wouldn't be tarnished among the nations in whose presence I had brought them out.

Majority Standard Bible
But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

NET Bible
I acted for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

New Heart English Bible
But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Webster's Bible Translation
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

World English Bible
But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I do [it] for My Name’s sake, "" Not to defile [it] before the eyes of the nations, "" Before whose eyes I brought them forth.

Young's Literal Translation
And I do it for My name's sake, Not to pollute it before the eyes of the nations, Before whose eyes I brought them forth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall do for sake of my name, that it was not polluted before the eyes of the nations which I brought them forth before their eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I spared them for the sake of my name, lest it should be profaned before the nations, from which I brought them out, in their sight.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But I acted for the sake of my name, lest it be violated before the Gentiles, from whom I cast them out, in their sight.

New American Bible
but I acted for the sake of my name, so it would not be desecrated in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

New Revised Standard Version
But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But I pitied them for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose presence I brought them out.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I had pity because of my name, that it would not be defiled before the eyes of the nations, because I brought them out in their sight
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But I wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But I wrought so that my name should not be at all profaned before the Gentiles, before whose eyes I brought them out.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Rebellion in Egypt
13Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. 14But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. 15Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—…

Cross References
Exodus 32:12
Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.

Numbers 14:13-16
But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ...

Deuteronomy 9:28
Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’

Psalm 106:8
Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.

Isaiah 48:9-11
For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off. / See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. / For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.

Jeremiah 14:7
Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.

Ezekiel 36:22-23
Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. / I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when I show My holiness in you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 39:7
So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

Isaiah 37:35
‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

1 Samuel 12:22
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

2 Kings 19:34
I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

Isaiah 43:25
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.

Isaiah 63:12-14
who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, / who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? / Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.

Romans 2:24
As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

Ezekiel 20:9,22
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…

Ezekiel 36:22,23
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…

Ephesians 1:6,12
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved…

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Acted Acting Eyes Forth Heathen Honour Name's Nations Pollute Polluted Profaned Sake Sight Unclean Worked Wrought
Ezekiel 20
1. God refuses to be consulted by the elders of Israel
4. He shows the story of their rebellions in Egypt
19. in the desert
27. and in the land
33. He promises to gather them by the Gospel
45. Under the name of a forest he shows the destruction of Jerusalem














But I acted
This phrase underscores God's proactive intervention in the history of Israel. The Hebrew root for "acted" is עָשָׂה (asah), which means to do, make, or accomplish. It reflects God's sovereign will and purposeful actions. In the context of Ezekiel, God is not passive; He is actively involved in the unfolding of His divine plan. This reminds us that God is not indifferent to the plight of His people or the state of the world. His actions are deliberate and aimed at fulfilling His promises and purposes.

for the sake of My name
The "name" of God in Hebrew is שֵׁם (shem), which signifies more than just a label; it represents His character, reputation, and authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a name was deeply tied to one's identity and honor. God's concern for His name indicates His desire to maintain His holiness and integrity. This phrase emphasizes that God's actions are ultimately for His glory and the preservation of His divine reputation among the nations. It serves as a reminder that God's ultimate purpose is to reveal His holiness and righteousness to the world.

that it should not be profaned
The term "profaned" comes from the Hebrew חָלַל (chalal), meaning to defile or desecrate. In the biblical context, to profane God's name is to treat it with irreverence or disrespect. God's concern here is that His name should not be dishonored among the nations. This highlights the importance of God's holiness and the expectation that His people reflect His character. It serves as a call to believers to live in a way that honors God and upholds His reputation.

in the eyes of the nations
The "nations" refer to the Gentile peoples surrounding Israel. In Hebrew, the word is גּוֹיִם (goyim), often used to denote those outside the covenant community of Israel. God's actions are not only for the benefit of Israel but also as a testimony to the surrounding nations. This phrase underscores the missional aspect of God's dealings with Israel; they are to be a light to the nations, demonstrating God's power and holiness. It reminds us of the global scope of God's redemptive plan.

in whose sight I had brought them out
This phrase refers to the historical event of the Exodus, where God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Hebrew root for "brought out" is יָצָא (yatsa), meaning to go out or bring forth. This act of deliverance was witnessed by the nations and served as a powerful demonstration of God's might and faithfulness. It is a reminder of God's past faithfulness and His ability to save and deliver His people. The Exodus is a foundational event that points to God's redemptive work throughout history, culminating in the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But I acted
וָאֶעֱשֶׂ֖ה (wā·’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for the sake
לְמַ֣עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Preposition
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

of My name,
שְׁמִ֑י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

so that it would not
לְבִלְתִּ֤י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

be profaned
הֵחֵל֙ (hê·ḥêl)
Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

in the eyes
לְעֵינֵ֣י (lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of the nations
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

in whose
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

sight
לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃ (lə·‘ê·nê·hem)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

I had brought them out.
הוֹצֵאתִ֖ים (hō·w·ṣê·ṯîm)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:14 But I worked for my name's sake (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 20:13
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