Ezekiel 36:22

A New Heart and a New Spirit · Ezekiel 36:16–38
Read Ezekiel 36

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Therefore say to the house of Israel, thus says the Lord YHWH: It is not for your sake that I am doing this, O house of Israel, for but the name of My holiness, which you have profaned among the nations to which you have gone in there.
Latin
Idcirco dices domui Israël: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Non propter vos ego faciam, domus Israël, sed propter nomen sanctum meum, quod polluistis in gentibus ad quas intrastis.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

God sent Israel into exile because he cared about his holiness. He wanted to protect the honor of his holy name, so he planned to bring them back to their land. Israel did not earn this return from exile; it showed the Lord's holiness and power to other nations. Israel could not stay outside the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants forever.

  • Ezekiel reminded the people of their guilt and their need for God to change their hearts. In the future, God would cleanse his people.

  • In the Old Testament, objects and people are divided into "clean" and "unclean," "sacred" and "profane" categories (see “Clean, Unclean, and Holy” Theme Note).

    God made Israel clean, but the Gentile nations remained unclean. Israel became unclean due to bloodshed and idolatry, which defiled the land. Because they acted like unclean nations, it was fitting for Israel to be scattered among them as punishment. In the future, God would make them clean so he could dwell among them again. Other nations, seeing his holiness in his people, would know he is the Holy One.

    In the New Testament, God’s redemption through Christ redefines the lines between clean and unclean (see Acts 10:15). The Gentiles are no longer outside of God’s grace. They, too, can receive the Holy Spirit and become clean. Jews and Gentiles together now form the one people of God in Christ.

    Those in Christ Jesus are not only clean but also holy because of his priesthood. Therefore, they can come boldly into God’s presence and experience his grace (Hebrews 12:18–29).

Events

Parallels

Romans 8:9–11 Galatians 5:16–26

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of New

Topics

God: Glory of God: Holiness of Motive: Ascribed to God Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Blessing and Restoration