Ezekiel 20:9
But 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.
Original Language Analysis
וָאַ֙עַשׂ֙
But I wrought
H6213
וָאַ֙עַשׂ֙
But I wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְמַ֣עַן
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
שְׁמִ֔י
for my name's
H8034
שְׁמִ֔י
for my name's
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
3 of 17
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
הֵחֵ֛ל
sake that it should not be polluted
H2490
הֵחֵ֛ל
sake that it should not be polluted
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
before
H5869
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
before
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
7 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נוֹדַ֤עְתִּי
I made myself known
H3045
נוֹדַ֤עְתִּי
I made myself known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
before
H5869
לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם
before
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
14 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם
unto them in bringing them forth
H3318
לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם
unto them in bringing them forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Ezekiel 39:7So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.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.Exodus 32:12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.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.Deuteronomy 9:28Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.1 Samuel 12:22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.1 Samuel 4:8Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
Historical Context
Exodus narratives emphasize God acting 'that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD' (Exodus 7:5, 14:4, 18). God's name (reputation, character) would be vindicated through the exodus. This principle appears throughout Scripture—God acts for His own glory (Isaiah 48:9-11, Ezekiel 36:22-23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that God acts for His glory change our view of salvation?
- What comfort comes from knowing God's faithfulness depends on His character, not ours?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'But 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.' Despite Israel's rebellion (verse 8), God delivered them 'for my name's sake.' God's reputation among nations was at stake. Having publicly revealed Himself, failure to deliver would suggest weakness or unfaithfulness. God's glory motivates His actions even when His people are unfaithful.