The defilement of the people described in order to its removal.Ezekiel 36:20They profaned my holy name - Caused it to be dishonored by the pagan who said in scorn, “This is the people of God.” The pagan, seeing the miserable state of the exiles, fancied that Yahweh was no more than a national god, powerless to protect his subjects. read more
Ezekiel 36:17-19. When the house of Israel dwelt in their own land In fulness of bread, ease, and security, as they did in days past; they defiled it Rendered it abominable before God, and uncomfortable to themselves; by their own way and by their doings By the way of their own choice, their wicked way, forsaking my law, despising my counsel, deserting my worship and temple; and by their unholy conversation and unrighteous practices. Their way was before me as the uncleanness of a... read more
For the sake of God’s holy name (36:16-38)God had driven the people of Israel out of their land because their sins had made them unclean in his sight (16-19). Onlooking nations, however, did not see it that way. They mocked God, saying that the removal of Israel from its land showed that he was weak. He could not save his people from the superior gods of the nations (20-21).Therefore, God will correct this misunderstanding and restore his honour by bringing Israel back to its land (22-24). He... read more
land = soil. they defiled it , &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 15:19 ; Leviticus 18:25 , Leviticus 18:27 , Leviticus 18:30 . Numbers 35:33 , Numbers 35:34 ). App-92 . as the uncleanness , &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 15:19 ; Leviticus 15:18 , Leviticus 15:19 , &c.) read more
I poured, &o. Sea Ezekiel 7:8 ; Ezekiel 7:14 , Ezekiel 7:19 ; Ezekiel 21:31 . Compare 2 Chronicles 34:21 , 2 Chronicles 34:25 .Jeremiah 7:20 ; Jeremiah 44:6 , &c. idols = dirty idols read more
"Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their doings: their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Wherefore I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood which they had poured out upon the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols; and I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and... read more
17. removed woman— ( :-, &c.). read more
18, 19. The reason for their removal was their sin, which God's holiness could not let pass unpunished; just as a woman's legal uncleanness was the reason for her being separated from the congregation. read more
The Lord told Ezekiel that when the Israelites had lived in the Promised Land they had defiled it by the way they lived. They resembled a woman during her menstrual period who defiled everything she touched (cf. Leviticus 15:19-23; Isaiah 64:6). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 36:17
Their way was before me . Their ways and doings, i.e. their violent deeds and idolatrous practices ( Ezekiel 36:18 ), were as morally loathsome in Jehovah's sight as the uncleanness of a woman in her separation was materially disgusting. The comparison may have been derived from Isaiah 64:6 , but was as likely to have been original, seeing Ezekiel was a priest-prophet, to whom the details of the Levitical Law must have been familiar (comp. Ezekiel 18:6 ; Le 15:19). read more