I had pity for mille holy Name . Havernick, after the LXX ; wrongly renders, "I spared (them, i.e. Israel) for my holy Name s sake; but the preposition for or "upon" following the verb usually marks the object upon which the action of the verb terminates (see Ezekiel 16:5 ). Gesenius translates, "I will be sparing of my holy Name;" i.e. I will care for its honor. read more
God saving for his own Name's sake. I. A PRINCIPLE OF DIVINE ACTION . We are here admitted to the secret council-chamber of heaven. The inner motive of God's activity is revealed to us. He shows on what grounds he proceeds in redeeming man. Man is redeemed for the sake of God's Name, and not on account of any human deserts and claims. 1. God ' s faithfulness . A person's good name is associated with his keeping his word. If a man has put his name to a document, he must... read more
Not for your sakes … but for mine holy Name's sake . Thus Jehovah repudiates the claim of merit on Israel's part (comp. Ezekiel 36:32 ); and if Israel had no claim on Jehovah for deliverance from the Babylonish exile any more than she had at first to be put in possession of Canaan ( Deuteronomy 9:6 ), much less has fallen man a claim on God for salvation from the condemnation and dominion of sin ( Romans 11:6 ; Ephesians 2:8-10 ). As the essential holiness and righteousness of God... read more
I will sanctify my great Name ; i.e. the name of my holiness ( Deuteronomy 28:58 ; Psalms 8:1 ; Malachi 1:11 ). As Israel's dispersion had caused that Name to be profaned, so Israel's restoration would secure that it should be magnified among the heathen ( Ezekiel 38:23 ), who should learn from this event that their previous ideas of Jehovah, as a feeble and local divinity, had been wrong. The question whether your eyes, as in the Hebrew text, or "their eyes," as in many ancient... read more
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
I had pity for mine holy name - Render it: I “had” a pitiful regard to “Mine Holy Name.” 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
Ezekiel 36:20. When they entered unto the heathen, they profaned my holy name 1st, By their evil practices they brought a scandal on God’s name, and gave occasion to the heathen to say, See what profligate wretches these are, who call themselves Jehovah’s peculiar people; judge what sort of a God he is who has such worshippers. The Jews were no credit to their profession wherever they went; but, on the contrary, a reproach to it, and the name of God and his holy religion was blasphemed... read more
Ezekiel 36:21-23. But I had pity for my holy name That is, as it is expressed Ezekiel 20:9, I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted, or brought into disgrace, among the heathen: I preserved, reformed, brought back my people from captivity, and re-established them in their own land, for the honour of my mercy, truth, and power. Say, I do not do this for your sakes, &c. The promises I make in your favour are not owing to any desert of yours, but purely to... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 36:20-24
Profanation and pity. The conjunction is somewhat singular. Israel has profaned God's Name. Upon this suggestion the Lord, pitying his own Name, resolves to sanctify it, and to this end, and not for Israel's deserts, succors and restores his people. The several steps in this progress of thought should be attentively traced. I. THE ISRAELITES HAVE PROFANED GOD 'S NAME AMONG THE HEATHEN . They are universally known as the people of Jehovah. When exiled from their land,... read more