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class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Nevertheless, I withdrew my judgment against them to protect the honor of my name before the nations that had seen my power in bringing them out of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be defiled in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But I turned back My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet I withdrew My hand and acted for My Name’s sake, that it would not be profaned in the sight of the [pagan] nations in whose sight I had brought them out [of slavery].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I withheld My hand and acted because of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I brought them out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But I did not. That would have disgraced me in front of the nations that had seen me bring the Israelites out of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not he profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But I didn't use my power so that my name would not be dishonored among the nations who had watched me bring the Israelites out [of Egypt].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations which had seen me bring Israel out of Egypt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But I withdrew my decision so my reputation wouldn't be tarnished among the nations before whose eyes I brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But I refrained from doing so, and acted instead for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I have turned back My hand, "" And I do [it] for My Name’s sake, "" Not to defile [it] before the eyes of the nations, "" Before whose eyes I brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I have turned back My hand, And I do it for My name's sake, Not to pollute it before the eyes of the nations, Before whose eyes I brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I turned back my hand; and I will do for sake of my name, that it was not profaned before the eyes of the nations which I brought them forth before their eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But I turned away my hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it might not be violated before the nations, out of which I brought them forth in their sight. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But I turned aside my hand, and I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be violated before the Gentiles, from whom I cast them out, before their eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />but I stayed my hand, acting for the sake of my name, lest it be desecrated in the eyes of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But I withheld my hand, and acted for the sake of my name, so that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But I pitied them for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose presence I brought them out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I had pity because of my name that it would not be defiled among the nations, because I brought them out in their sight<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Nevertheless I withdrew My hand, and wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But I wrought so that my name might not be at all profaned before the Gentiles; and I brought them out in their sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=5261" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wa·hă·ši·ḇō·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">But I withheld</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">My hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wā·’a·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and acted</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Prep) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">for the sake</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">of My name,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1115.htm" title="1115: lə·ḇil·tî (Prep-l) -- Constructive feminine of balah; properly, a failure of, i.e. not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.">so that it would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: hê·ḥêl (V-Nifal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">be profaned</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: lə·‘ê·nê (Prep-l:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in the eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">of the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">in whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: lə·‘ê·nê·hem (Prep-l:: N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">sight</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: hō·w·ṣê·ṯî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">I had brought them out.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Exodus 32:12</a></span><br />Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-13.htm">Numbers 14:13-16</a></span><br />But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-28.htm">Deuteronomy 9:28</a></span><br />Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-8.htm">Psalm 106:8</a></span><br />Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-9.htm">Isaiah 48:9</a></span><br />For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-7.htm">Jeremiah 14:7</a></span><br />Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-22.htm">Ezekiel 36:22-23</a></span><br />Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. / I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when I show My holiness in you before their eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/39-7.htm">Ezekiel 39:7</a></span><br />So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a></span><br />I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-11.htm">Isaiah 48:11</a></span><br />For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-24.htm">Romans 2:24</a></span><br />As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-17.htm">Romans 9:17</a></span><br />For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm">1 Samuel 12:22</a></span><br />Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-34.htm">2 Kings 19:34</a></span><br />I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-6.htm">2 Kings 20:6</a></span><br />I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.</p><p class="hdg">I withdrew</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17</a></b></br> Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-21.htm">Job 13:21</a></b></br> Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Psalm 78:38</a></b></br> But he, <i>being</i> full of compassion, forgave <i>their</i> iniquity, and destroyed <i>them</i> not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.</p><p class="hdg">wrought</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-9.htm">Ezekiel 20:9,14,22</a></b></br> But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they <i>were</i>, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-11.htm">Psalm 25:11</a></b></br> For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it <i>is</i> great.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/79-9.htm">Psalm 79:9,10</a></b></br> Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Name's</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Profaned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-16.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/jeremiah/38-27.htm">Withdrew</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-16.htm">Withheld</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-14.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-34.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-44.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-44.htm">Name's</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-9.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm">Profaned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-44.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-41.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Withdrew</a> <a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Withheld</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-29.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-1.htm">God refuses to be consulted by the elders of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-4.htm">He shows the story of their rebellions in Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-19.htm">in the desert</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">and in the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-33.htm">He promises to gather them by the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-45.htm">Under the name of a forest he shows the destruction of Jerusalem</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But I withheld My hand</b><br>This phrase indicates God's restraint in executing judgment. Throughout the Bible, God's hand often symbolizes His power and action (<a href="/exodus/7-5.htm">Exodus 7:5</a>, <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a>). Here, it signifies His decision to withhold punishment despite Israel's rebellion. This restraint is a recurring theme, highlighting God's patience and mercy (<a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Psalm 78:38</a>).<p><b>and acted for the sake of My name</b><br>God's actions are motivated by the desire to uphold His holy name. In biblical times, a name represented one's character and reputation. God's name is synonymous with His holiness and faithfulness (<a href="/exodus/34-5.htm">Exodus 34:5-7</a>). By acting for His name's sake, God ensures His reputation remains untarnished, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant promises (<a href="/ezekiel/36-22.htm">Ezekiel 36:22-23</a>).<p><b>so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations</b><br>The concern here is the perception of God's holiness by other nations. In the ancient Near East, the reputation of a deity was often linked to the success of its people. If Israel were destroyed, it could imply that their God was powerless. Thus, God acts to prevent His name from being dishonored among the nations, maintaining His glory and sovereignty (<a href="/isaiah/48-9.htm">Isaiah 48:9-11</a>).<p><b>in whose sight I had brought them out</b><br>This refers to the Exodus, a foundational event in Israel's history where God delivered them from Egyptian bondage (<a href="/exodus/12-31.htm">Exodus 12:31-42</a>). The surrounding nations witnessed this miraculous deliverance, which served as a testament to God's power and faithfulness. By recalling this event, God emphasizes His past actions and the importance of His reputation among the nations (<a href="/joshua/2-9.htm">Joshua 2:9-11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The central figure, expressing His actions and intentions regarding Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who are being addressed due to their rebellion and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding peoples who observe Israel and God's actions, influencing their perception of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/exodus.htm">Exodus</a></b><br>The historical event of God delivering the Israelites from Egypt, referenced as a demonstration of His power and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_mercy.htm">God's Sovereignty and Mercy</a></b><br>Despite Israel's rebellion, God chooses to withhold His hand, demonstrating His sovereign control and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_god's_name.htm">The Importance of God's Name</a></b><br>God's actions are often motivated by the desire to uphold the sanctity of His name, reminding us of the importance of living in a way that honors Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witness_to_the_nations.htm">Witness to the Nations</a></b><br>Our lives as believers are a testimony to the world. Just as God was concerned about His reputation among the nations, we should be mindful of how our actions reflect on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_covenant.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Covenant</a></b><br>Even when His people are unfaithful, God remains committed to His promises, encouraging us to trust in His steadfastness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>The passage calls for self-examination and repentance, urging us to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_85__how_to_reconcile_hope_with_exile.htm">Psalm 85 - How can we harmonize this psalm's hope for national revival with other biblical texts that emphasize permanent punishment or exile?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_aren't_babylon_egypt_judged_like_ezekiel_22_15.htm">Why is there no mention of any other civilizations, such as Babylon or Egypt, being judged in the same manner as described in Ezekiel 22:15, despite historical records of their own atrocities?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_command_a_sacrifice.htm">Why would a loving God command a human sacrifice in Genesis 22:2?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_37_25-28_fulfilled_today.htm">How can Ezekiel 37:25-28's everlasting covenant and sanctuary be understood when there seems to be no clear historical or present-day fulfillment matching this depiction?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But I withheld</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲשִׁבֹ֙תִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·ši·ḇō·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and acted</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאַ֖עַשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’a·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the sake</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַ֣עַן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose -- intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of My name,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that it would not</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבִלְתִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇil·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1115.htm">Strong's 1115: </a> </span><span class="str2">A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be profaned</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵחֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(hê·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעֵינֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ê·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגּוֹיִ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in whose</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sight</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ê·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I had brought them out.</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹצֵ֥אתִי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w·ṣê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Ezekiel 20:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:22 Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and worked (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/20-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>