But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.
Parallel translations
- WEB But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, where they went.
- BSB But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone.
- NKJV But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.
- NASB But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
- NLT Then I was concerned for my holy name, on which my people brought shame among the nations.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God acted out of regard for His holy name, which Israel had profaned among the nations. His own glory, not Israel's merit, motivates His mercy.
Overview
Despite Israel's failure, God 'had respect' for His holy name. The honor of His name becomes the foundation for redemption. This God-centered motive runs through Scripture and culminates in the gospel, where God saves sinners to the praise of His glorious grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Isa 48:9For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
- Ps 74:18Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
- Ezek 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.
- Deut 32:26–27I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
- Ezek 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.
- Ezek 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.
- Isa 37:35For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 36:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.