Ezekiel 36:20
New International Version
And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the LORD’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’

New Living Translation
But when they were scattered among the nations, they brought shame on my holy name. For the nations said, ‘These are the people of the LORD, but he couldn’t keep them safe in his own land!’

English Standard Version
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.’

Berean Standard Bible
And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they have gone out of His land.’

New American Standard Bible
When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they have left His land.’

NASB 1995
“When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’

NASB 1977
“When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they came to the nations to which they came. And they profaned My holy name because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh; yet they have come out of His land.’

Amplified Bible
When they came to the nations wherever they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’

Christian Standard Bible
When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave his land in exile.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.’

American Standard Version
And when they came unto the nations, whither they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of Jehovah, and are gone forth out of his land.

Contemporary English Version
Wherever they went, my name was disgraced, because foreigners insulted my people by saying I had forced them out of their own land.

English Revised Version
And when they came unto the nations, whither they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But wherever they went among the nations, they dishonored my holy name. People said about them, 'These are the LORD's people, yet they had to leave his land.'

Good News Translation
Wherever they went, they brought disgrace on my holy name, because people would say, 'These are the people of the LORD, but they had to leave his land.'

International Standard Version
Nevertheless, when they arrived in those nations, they continued to profane my holy name. It was said about them, 'These are the LORD's people, even though they've left his land.'

Majority Standard Bible
And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ?These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.?

NET Bible
But when they arrived in the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name. It was said of them, 'These are the people of the LORD, yet they have departed from his land.'

New Heart English Bible
When they came to the nations, where they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, 'These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they entered among 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.

World English Bible
When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, ‘These are Yahweh’s people, and have left his land.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And one goes to the nations to where they have gone, "" And they defile My holy Name by saying to them, "" These [are] the people of YHWH, "" And they have gone forth from His land.

Young's Literal Translation
And one goeth in unto the nations whither they have gone, And they pollute My holy name by saying to them, The people of Jehovah are these, And from His land they have gone forth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will come to the nations where they came in there, and they will profane my holy name in saying to them, These the people of Jehovah, and they went forth from their land.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they entered among the nations whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when it was said of them: This is the people of the Lord, and they are come forth out of his land.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they walked among the Gentiles, to whom they had entered, they defiled my holy name, though it was being said about them: ‘This is the people of the Lord,’ and ‘They went forth from his land.’

New American Bible
But when they came to the nations, where they went, they desecrated my holy name, for people said of them: “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land.”

New Revised Standard Version
But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that it was said of them, “These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they went to live among the Gentiles, wherever they went, they profaned my holy name; and the Gentiles said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and now they are gone out of his land.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they went to the place of the Gentiles and they defiled The Name of my holiness, and the Gentiles were saying to them: ‘These are the people of God, and they have gone out from his land’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when they came unto the nations, whither they came, they profaned My holy name; in that men said of them: These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of His land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they went in among the nations, among which they went, and they profaned my holy name, while it was said of them, These are the people of the Lord, and they came forth out of his land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A New Heart and Spirit
19I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered throughout the lands. I judged them according to their ways and deeds. 20 And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ 21But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone.…

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

Isaiah 52:5
And now what have I here? declares the LORD. For My people have been taken without cause; those who rule them taunt, declares the LORD, and My name is blasphemed continually all day long.

Jeremiah 33:9
So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it.

Ezekiel 20:9
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

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.

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 36:32
It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD—let it be known to you. Be ashamed and disgraced for your ways, O house of Israel!

Ezekiel 16:27
Therefore I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct.

Ezekiel 16:57
before your wickedness was uncovered? Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom and all those around her, and by the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you.

Ezekiel 22:16
And when you have defiled yourself in the eyes of the nations, then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

Ezekiel 36:21
But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone.

Ezekiel 36:23
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 36:24
For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land.

Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.


Treasury of Scripture

And when they entered to the heathen, where 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.

Isaiah 52:5
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.

Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

These

Exodus 32:11-13
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? …

Numbers 14:15,16
Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, …

Joshua 7:9
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?

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Entered Forth Heathen Holy Lord's Nations Pollute Profaned These Wherever Whither
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Entered Forth Heathen Holy Lord's Nations Pollute Profaned These Wherever Whither
Ezekiel 36
1. The land of Israel is comforted, by destruction of the heathen, who spitefully used it
8. and by the blessings of God promised unto it
16. Israel was rejected for their sin
21. and shall be restored without their desert
25. The blessings of Christ's kingdom














And wherever they went among the nations
This phrase highlights the dispersion of the Israelites among various nations. The Hebrew root for "nations" is "goyim," which often refers to Gentile nations. Historically, this dispersion was a result of the Babylonian exile, a significant event where the Israelites were taken from their homeland due to their disobedience to God. This scattering among the nations was not just a physical relocation but also a spiritual and cultural challenge, as they were surrounded by pagan practices and beliefs.

they profaned My holy name
The word "profaned" comes from the Hebrew "chalal," meaning to defile or pollute. In a conservative Christian perspective, this indicates a serious breach of the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Israelites, by their actions and the perception of the surrounding nations, brought dishonor to God's name. The "holy name" of God is a representation of His character and reputation. In biblical times, a name was more than just an identifier; it encapsulated the essence and authority of the person. Thus, profaning God's name was a grave offense, as it misrepresented His holiness and righteousness to the world.

for it was said of them
This phrase introduces the perception and commentary of the surrounding nations regarding the Israelites. It underscores the importance of witness and testimony in the life of God's people. The actions of the Israelites were not in isolation; they were observed and commented upon by others, affecting how God's name was viewed among the nations.

‘These are the people of the LORD
The term "people of the LORD" signifies a special relationship and identity. The Hebrew word for "people" is "am," which denotes a collective group bound by common identity and purpose. The Israelites were chosen by God to be His representatives on earth, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). This identity was meant to reflect God's glory and draw others to Him. However, their failure to live according to His statutes led to a contradiction between their identity and their actions.

yet they had to leave His land
The phrase "His land" refers to the Promised Land, a significant element in the covenant between God and Israel. The land was not just a physical territory but a symbol of God's promise and blessing. The Hebrew word for "land" is "eretz," which can also mean earth or territory. The departure from the land was a direct consequence of their disobedience and a fulfillment of the warnings given by the prophets. It served as a tangible reminder of the broken covenant and the need for repentance and restoration.

(20) When they said to them.--We are not here to understand that the Israelites profaned God's name among the heathen in the way spoken of in Romans 2:24, though this also may have been done; but they profaned it by the very fact of their captivity, the consequence of their former sins. The heathen regarded Jehovah as merely the national God of the Israelites, and seeing them dispersed, in distress, and in captivity, concluded that He was unable to protect them. Hence, for the vindication of His name (Ezekiel 36:21-24) God would restore His people to their land.

Verse 20. - They profaned my holy Name; or, the name of my holiness. According to Kliefoth, the subject of the verb is "the heathen," but expositors generally regard it as "the house of Israel" of ver. 17. Plumptre thinks that "while grammatically the words may refer to either the heathen or the exiles of Israel, possibly the sentence was purposely left vague, so as to describe the fact in which both were sharers," and cites in support of this view similar constructions in Isaiah 55:5 and Romans 2:24. What led to the profanation of Jehovah's Name by the heathen was the arrival among them, not of the news of the calamity which had befallen Israel (Kliefoth, Hengstenberg), but of the house of Israel itself; and the actual profanation lay in this, that, having beheld the exiles, they said, These are the people of the Lord, and they are gone forth out of his land. As the heathen recognized only local divinities, they concluded Jehovah had either behaved capriciously towards his people and east them off (comp. Jeremiah 23:40; Jeremiah 29:18; Jeremiah 33:24), or had proved unequal to the task of protecting them so that they had been driven off (comp. Ezekiel 20:5, etc.; Numbers 14:16; Jeremiah 14:9). In either case, the honor of Jehovah had been lessened in the minds and tarnished by the words of the heathen, and inasmuch as this result had been brought about by Israel's sin, on Israel properly the blame lay.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And wherever
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they went
בָּ֣אוּ (bā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

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

they profaned
וַֽיְחַלְּל֖וּ (way·ḥal·lə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

My holy
קָדְשִׁ֑י (qāḏ·šî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

name,
שֵׁ֣ם (šêm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

because it was said
בֶּאֱמֹ֤ר (be·’ĕ·mōr)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

of them
לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

‘These
אֵ֔לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

yet they had to leave
יָצָֽאוּ׃ (yā·ṣā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

His land.’
וּמֵאַרְצ֖וֹ (ū·mê·’ar·ṣōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 36:20 When they came to the nations where (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 36:19
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