Ezekiel 36:23 —

“And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.’”

 

📬This Passage Breakdown is written in response to a subscriber request from Darrell T., Sherman, Texas.

 

📜 Background, Setting & Purpose

 

✍️ Author

 

Ezekiel, a prophet of God ministering among the Jewish exiles.

 

👥 Written To

 

The house of Israel, specifically those in Babylonian captivity.

 

⏲️ When

 

Approximately 593–571 B.C., during Israel’s exile.

 

🌍 Setting & Purpose of Ezekiel (book-level)

 

Ezekiel was sent to Israel at a time of severe national judgment. Jerusalem had fallen, the temple was destroyed, and Israel had been scattered among the nations because of persistent rebellion.

 

Ezekiel 36 is a restoration chapter. It looks beyond judgment to Israel’s future regathering, cleansing, spiritual renewal, and ultimate restoration in the land. This chapter is not about the Church. It is about God vindicating His name through Israel in the sight of the nations.

 

📖 Immediate Context (Ezekiel 36:16–22)

 

Before verse 23, God explains why Israel was scattered:

 

• Israel defiled the land 
• God poured out His wrath 
• Israel was scattered among the nations 

 

But then God makes something unmistakably clear:

 

Israel’s restoration will not be because Israel deserves it.

 

It will be because God’s name has been profaned among the nations.

 

✨ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown

 

“And I will sanctify My great name…”

 

God is the subject.
God is the actor.
God is the one who restores. 

Israel’s future restoration is rooted in God’s holiness, not Israel’s performance.

 

“…which has been profaned among the nations…”

 

Because Israel bore God’s name, their disobedience caused the nations to mock the God of Israel.

 

Israel’s failure reflected poorly on the LORD in the eyes of the world.

 

“…which you have profaned in their midst…”

 

God does not excuse Israel’s sin.

 

Israel was responsible for misrepresenting God before the nations.

 

“…and the nations shall know that I am the LORD…”

 

This is the purpose clause.

 

Israel’s restoration has a global goal:

 

• God’s reputation 
• God’s glory 
• God’s name being vindicated 

 

“…when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.”

 

God will sanctify His name through Israel, publicly and visibly.

 

This is not spiritualized.
This is not invisible.
This is not private.

 

It is national, earthly, and observable.

 

❌ What This Verse Does Not Mean

 

• Not that Israel earns restoration 
• Not that the Church replaces Israel 
• Not that this refers to individual salvation 
• Not that this is fulfilled in the Church Age 

 

✅ What This Verse Does Mean

 

• God’s promises to Israel are unconditional 
• Israel’s restoration is for God’s glory 
• God will publicly vindicate His name 
• The nations will recognize the LORD through Israel 

 

🔗 Cross-References for Going Deeper

 

Ezekiel 36:24–28 — Regathering and spiritual renewal
Ezekiel 37 — National resurrection of Israel
Isaiah 52:5–6 — God’s name blasphemed among the nations
Zechariah 12:10 — Israel’s future repentance
Romans 11:25–29 — God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable

 

📘 Doctrinal Summary

 

Ezekiel 36:23 declares that Israel’s future restoration is grounded not in Israel’s worthiness but in God’s commitment to His own holy name. Though Israel profaned the LORD among the nations, God promises to vindicate His name by restoring, cleansing, and renewing Israel before the eyes of the world. This passage affirms that God’s covenant purposes for Israel remain intact and will be fulfilled exactly as promised. Any theology that removes Israel from this plan undermines the very reason God gives for their restoration—His glory among the nations.