King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:9 in the King James Version says “But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sigh...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 20:9 · KJV

Context

7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

8

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

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.

10

Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

11

And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. shewed: Heb. made them to know

Read Ezekiel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that God acts for His glory change our view of salvation?
  2. What comfort comes from knowing God's faithfulness depends on His character, not ours?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וָאַ֙עַשׂ֙1 of 17

“But I wrought”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְמַ֣עַן2 of 17
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

שְׁמִ֔י3 of 17

“for my name's”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְבִלְתִּ֥י4 of 17
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הֵחֵ֛ל5 of 17

“sake that it should not be polluted”

H2490

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

לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם6 of 17

“before”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם7 of 17

“the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁר8 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵ֣מָּה9 of 17
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בְתוֹכָ֑ם10 of 17

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

אֲשֶׁ֨ר11 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נוֹדַ֤עְתִּי12 of 17

“I made myself known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֲלֵיהֶם֙13 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם14 of 17

“before”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לְהוֹצִיאָ֖ם15 of 17

“unto them in bringing them forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ16 of 17

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃17 of 17

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 20:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 20:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 39:7Ezekiel 20:22Ezekiel 20:14Exodus 32:12Ezekiel 36:21-22Deuteronomy 32:26-27

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 20 →

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