20 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.
20 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.'
20 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.'
20 Wherever they went, they gave me a bad name. People said, 'These are God's people, but they got kicked off his land.'
20 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.'
20 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!'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 36:20
Commentary on Ezekiel 36:16-24
(Read Ezekiel 36:16-24)
The restoration of that people, being typical of our redemption by Christ, shows that the end aimed at in our salvation is the glory of God. The sin of a people defiles their land; renders it abominable to God, and uncomfortable to themselves. God's holy name is his great name; his holiness is his greatness, nor does any thing else make a man truly great.