Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the LORD’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ New Living Translation But when they were scattered among the nations, they brought shame on my holy name. For the nations said, ‘These are the people of the LORD, but he couldn’t keep them safe in his own land!’ English Standard Version But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.’ Berean Standard Bible And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ Berean Literal Bible And they came to the nations, to which they came there, and they profaned name of My holiness by saying to them, ‘These are the people of YHWH, and from His land they have gone out!’ King James Bible And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. New King James Version When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ New American Standard Bible When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they have left His land.’ NASB 1995 “When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’ NASB 1977 “When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’ Legacy Standard Bible Then they came to the nations to which they came. And they profaned My holy name because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh; yet they have come out of His land.’ Amplified Bible When they came to the nations wherever they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’ Berean Annotated Bible And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD {YHWH}, yet they had to leave His land. Christian Standard Bible When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave his land in exile.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.’ American Standard Version And when they came unto the nations, whither they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of Jehovah, and are gone forth out of his land. Contemporary English Version Wherever they went, my name was disgraced, because foreigners insulted my people by saying I had forced them out of their own land. English Revised Version And when they came unto the nations, whither they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. GOD'S WORD® Translation But wherever they went among the nations, they dishonored my holy name. People said about them, 'These are the LORD's people, yet they had to leave his land.' Good News Translation Wherever they went, they brought disgrace on my holy name, because people would say, 'These are the people of the LORD, but they had to leave his land.' International Standard Version Nevertheless, when they arrived in those nations, they continued to profane my holy name. It was said about them, 'These are the LORD's people, even though they've left his land.' NET Bible But when they arrived in the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name. It was said of them, 'These are the people of the LORD, yet they have departed from his land.' New Heart English Bible When they came to the nations, where they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, 'These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.' Webster's Bible Translation And when they entered among the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ World English Bible When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, ‘These are Yahweh’s people, and have left his land.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd one goes to the nations to where they have gone, "" And they defile My holy Name by saying to them, "" These [are] the people of YHWH, "" And they have gone forth from His land. Berean Literal Bible And they came to the nations, to which they came there, and they profaned name of My holiness by saying to them, ‘These are the people of YHWH, and from His land they have gone out!’ Young's Literal Translation And one goeth in unto the nations whither they have gone, And they pollute My holy name by saying to them, The people of Jehovah are these, And from His land they have gone forth. Smith's Literal Translation And he will come to the nations where they came in there, and they will profane my holy name in saying to them, These the people of Jehovah, and they went forth from their land. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when they entered among the nations whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when it was said of them: This is the people of the Lord, and they are come forth out of his land. Catholic Public Domain Version And when they walked among the Gentiles, to whom they had entered, they defiled my holy name, though it was being said about them: ‘This is the people of the Lord,’ and ‘They went forth from his land.’ New American Bible But when they came to the nations, where they went, they desecrated my holy name, for people said of them: “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave their land.” New Revised Standard Version But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that it was said of them, “These are the people of the LORD, and yet they had to go out of his land.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when they went to live among the Gentiles, wherever they went, they profaned my holy name; and the Gentiles said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and now they are gone out of his land. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they went to the place of the Gentiles and they defiled The Name of my holiness, and the Gentiles were saying to them: ‘These are the people of God, and they have gone out from his land’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when they came unto the nations, whither they came, they profaned My holy name; in that men said of them: These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of His land. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they went in among the nations, among which they went, and they profaned my holy name, while it was said of them, These are the people of the Lord, and they came forth out of his land. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A New Heart and Spirit…19I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered throughout the lands. I judged them according to their ways and deeds. 20 And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ 21But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone.… Cross References And wherever they went among the nations, Leviticus 26:33 But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste. Deuteronomy 28:64 Then the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known. Jeremiah 24:9 I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. they profaned My holy name, Leviticus 22:32 You must not profane My holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, Romans 2:24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Isaiah 52:5 And now what have I here? declares the LORD. For My people have been taken without cause; those who rule them taunt, declares the LORD, and My name is blasphemed continually all day long. because it was said of them, Numbers 14:13-16 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, … Exodus 32:12 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. Psalm 115:2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” ‘These are the people of the LORD, Deuteronomy 32:9 But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. Deuteronomy 14:2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 26:18-19 And today the LORD has proclaimed that you are His people and treasured possession as He promised, that you are to keep all His commandments, / that He will set you high in praise and name and honor above all the nations He has made, and that you will be a holy people to the LORD your God, as He has promised. yet they had to leave His land.’ Leviticus 18:28 So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you. Jeremiah 16:13 So I will cast you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known. There you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’ 2 Kings 17:18 So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, Jeremiah 33:9 So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it. Treasury of Scripture And when they entered to the heathen, where they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. Isaiah 52:5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. Romans 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. These Exodus 32:11-13 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? … Numbers 14:15,16 Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, … Joshua 7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? Jump to Previous Entered Forth Heathen Holy Lord's Nations Pollute Profaned These Wherever WhitherJump to Next Entered Forth Heathen Holy Lord's Nations Pollute Profaned These Wherever WhitherEzekiel 36 1. The land of Israel is comforted, by destruction of the heathen, who spitefully used it8. and by the blessings of God promised unto it 16. Israel was rejected for their sin 21. and shall be restored without their desert 25. The blessings of Christ's kingdom And wherever they went among the nations, This phrase indicates the dispersion of the Israelites among various nations, a result of their disobedience and the subsequent exile. Historically, the Israelites were exiled to Assyria and Babylon, fulfilling prophecies of judgment. This dispersion is significant as it sets the stage for the eventual gathering and restoration of Israel, a recurring theme in prophetic literature. they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The people of God who were exiled due to their disobedience and idolatry. 3. Nations Refers to the foreign lands where the Israelites were scattered during their exile. 4. The LORD The God of Israel, whose holy name was profaned by the actions of His people. 5. The Land The Promised Land, which the Israelites had to leave due to their unfaithfulness. Teaching Points The Importance of God's NameGod's name is holy and should be revered. Our actions as believers reflect on His name. Consequences of Disobedience Israel's exile serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God. Witness to the Nations Our lives are a testimony to those around us. We must strive to honor God in all we do. Restoration and Hope Despite Israel's failure, God promises restoration, showing His mercy and faithfulness. Living in Exile Like the Israelites, Christians are called to live as exiles in the world, maintaining their distinct identity in Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 36:20?2. How does Ezekiel 36:20 illustrate the impact of Israel's actions on God's name? 3. What does "profaned My holy name" reveal about God's expectations for His people? 4. How can Christians today avoid profaning God's name in their daily lives? 5. Connect Ezekiel 36:20 with the Third Commandment about honoring God's name. 6. What steps can we take to ensure our actions glorify God, not profane Him? 7. How does Ezekiel 36:20 reflect on the behavior of God's people among the nations? 8. Why does God emphasize His name's sanctity in Ezekiel 36:20? 9. What historical context surrounds the events described in Ezekiel 36:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 36? 11. What role does Iran play in biblical prophecy? 12. What is the order of the Bible's books? 13. Isaiah 36:18-20: How do we reconcile the Rabshakeh's claim that no god has saved any nation from Assyria with the biblical assertion that the Lord ultimately delivered Judah? 14. How does the promise of eventual restoration in Ezekiel 20:40-44 stand up to skepticism when some prophecies appear to have remained unfulfilled from a historical standpoint? What Does Ezekiel 36:20 Mean And wherever they went among the nations• The exile was literal, not symbolic. God had warned that disobedience would scatter His people (Deuteronomy 28:64; Ezekiel 12:15). • Israel found themselves “among the nations” after the Assyrian (2 Kings 17:6) and Babylonian (2 Kings 24:14-15) deportations. • Even in dispersion, the covenant identity of Israel remained intact; the scattering did not cancel God’s promises, it set the stage for their eventual return (Jeremiah 29:14). they profaned My holy name • “Holy” highlights God’s uniqueness; Israel’s sin made the nations think Yahweh was no different from local deities (Leviticus 19:12; Ezekiel 36:22). • Their compromised testimony mirrored later charges that those who boast in the law “dishonor God” (Romans 2:23-24). • Profaning His name means treating it as common; exile-living suggested Yahweh was powerless or unfaithful—exactly the opposite of His revealed character. because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD’ • The surrounding nations knew Israel’s special status (Exodus 6:7; Deuteronomy 14:2). • The title “people of the LORD” carried an expectation of blessing and stability in the land (Psalm 147:19-20). • Their failure therefore invited ridicule: “If their God is real, why are they refugees?” The same dynamic is echoed in 1 Peter 2:10, where believers are urged to live in a way that silences slander. yet they had to leave His land • The land was an unconditional gift yet conditional for enjoyment (Leviticus 18:24-28). • Exile proved God’s righteousness: He judged His own people first (2 Chronicles 36:20) while still preserving future hope (Ezekiel 37:21-22). • The paradox—belonging to the LORD but displaced—created a public crisis of faith that God Himself would resolve through restoration (Daniel 9:7; Ezekiel 36:24). summary Every phrase of Ezekiel 36:20 shows that Israel’s exile tarnished God’s reputation in the world. Scattered people, scandalized name, shocked observers, and surrendered land—each element underscores how sin distorts the covenant relationship. Yet the very shame that seemed to disprove God’s faithfulness became the backdrop for His greater vindication, as He later promised to gather, cleanse, and renew His people so “the nations will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:23, 24). (20) When they said to them.--We are not here to understand that the Israelites profaned God's name among the heathen in the way spoken of in Romans 2:24, though this also may have been done; but they profaned it by the very fact of their captivity, the consequence of their former sins. The heathen regarded Jehovah as merely the national God of the Israelites, and seeing them dispersed, in distress, and in captivity, concluded that He was unable to protect them. Hence, for the vindication of His name (Ezekiel 36:21-24) God would restore His people to their land.Verse 20. - They profaned my holy Name; or, the name of my holiness. According to Kliefoth, the subject of the verb is "the heathen," but expositors generally regard it as "the house of Israel" of ver. 17. Plumptre thinks that "while grammatically the words may refer to either the heathen or the exiles of Israel, possibly the sentence was purposely left vague, so as to describe the fact in which both were sharers," and cites in support of this view similar constructions in Isaiah 55:5 and Romans 2:24. What led to the profanation of Jehovah's Name by the heathen was the arrival among them, not of the news of the calamity which had befallen Israel (Kliefoth, Hengstenberg), but of the house of Israel itself; and the actual profanation lay in this, that, having beheld the exiles, they said, These are the people of the Lord, and they are gone forth out of his land. As the heathen recognized only local divinities, they concluded Jehovah had either behaved capriciously towards his people and east them off (comp. Jeremiah 23:40; Jeremiah 29:18; Jeremiah 33:24), or had proved unequal to the task of protecting them so that they had been driven off (comp. Ezekiel 20:5, etc.; Numbers 14:16; Jeremiah 14:9). In either case, the honor of Jehovah had been lessened in the minds and tarnished by the words of the heathen, and inasmuch as this result had been brought about by Israel's sin, on Israel properly the blame lay.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And whereverאֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that they went בָּ֣אוּ (bā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go among the nations הַגּוֹיִם֙ (hag·gō·w·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts they profaned וַֽיְחַלְּל֖וּ (way·ḥal·lə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play My holy קָדְשִׁ֑י (qāḏ·šî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity name, שֵׁ֣ם (šêm) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8034: A name because it was said בֶּאֱמֹ֤ר (be·’ĕ·mōr) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say of them לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew ‘These אֵ֔לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those are the people עַם־ (‘am-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock of the LORD, יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel yet they had to leave יָצָֽאוּ׃ (yā·ṣā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim His land.’ וּמֵאַרְצ֖וֹ (ū·mê·’ar·ṣōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Links Ezekiel 36:20 NIVEzekiel 36:20 NLT Ezekiel 36:20 ESV Ezekiel 36:20 NASB Ezekiel 36:20 KJV Ezekiel 36:20 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 36:20 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 36:20 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 36:20 French Bible Ezekiel 36:20 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 36:20 When they came to the nations where (Ezek. 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