Ezekiel 20:44
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙
And ye shall know
H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙
And ye shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בַּעֲשׂוֹתִ֥י
when I have wrought
H6213
בַּעֲשׂוֹתִ֥י
when I have wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אִתְּכֶ֖ם
H854
אִתְּכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
לְמַ֣עַן
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
שְׁמִ֑י
with you for my name's
H8034
שְׁמִ֑י
with you for my name's
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לֹא֩
H3808
לֹא֩
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כְדַרְכֵיכֶ֨ם
ways
H1870
כְדַרְכֵיכֶ֨ם
ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 18
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָרָעִ֜ים
sake not according to your wicked
H7451
הָרָעִ֜ים
sake not according to your wicked
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
11 of 18
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
וְכַעֲלִילֽוֹתֵיכֶ֤ם
doings
H5949
וְכַעֲלִילֽוֹתֵיכֶ֤ם
doings
Strong's:
H5949
Word #:
12 of 18
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
הַנִּשְׁחָתוֹת֙
nor according to your corrupt
H7843
הַנִּשְׁחָתוֹת֙
nor according to your corrupt
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
13 of 18
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
בֵּ֣ית
O ye house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
O ye house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Ezekiel 24:24Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.Psalms 115:1Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.Ezekiel 20:22Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.Ezekiel 20:9But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.Ezekiel 20:14But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.Ephesians 1:6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.1 Timothy 1:16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Historical Context
This principle appears throughout Scripture: God chose Israel not for their greatness but His love (Deuteronomy 7:7-8), delivered them from Egypt for His name's sake (Psalm 106:8), and restored them despite unworthiness (Ezekiel 36:22-32). New Covenant salvation in Christ follows the same pattern—saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that God saves for His name's sake, not our worthiness, humble us?
- What does this teach about the nature of grace and the motivation for God's redemptive work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.' The climax: recognition that salvation is 'for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways.' God acts despite their unworthiness, based on His character, not theirs. This is pure grace—undeserved favor. Their wickedness would merit destruction; God's grace brings restoration. The pattern of Scripture: salvation is entirely of the Lord.