Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 36:20. It's a pretty serious and impactful passage about how people treated God’s name. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where people were speaking about God, but they were doing something incredibly disrespectful – they were defiling or profaning His name. It's like someone was making disparaging remarks about God, and that disrespect was causing trouble. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 36:20” : This refers to a specific prophecy from the book of Ezekiel – a vision or message from God to Ezekiel, a prophet. It's a part of a larger story about God’s plan for Israel and Judah. “And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went…” : This means people were traveling or visiting people outside of Israel. Think of it as people from other nations – Egyptians, Assyrians, etc. – coming into the land. “…they profaned my holy name…” : This is the core of the problem. "Holy name" refers to God’s personal name, which is considered sacred and important. “Profaned” means to desecrate or defile it. It suggests they were using His name in a way that was disrespectful, mocking, or even harmful. “when they said to them, These [are] the people of the LORD…” : They were speaking about God’s people – Israelites – as if they were somehow less important or unworthy. "...and are gone forth out of his land." : This is the consequence of their disrespect. Their presence was causing trouble and disrupting God's plan for Israel. It suggests that this defiling of His name was leading to negative outcomes - possibly causing conflict, hardship, or even disaster. What does it mean in a broader sense? The verse speaks about the importance of respecting God’s name – both literally and figuratively. It highlights that people can be disrespectful towards God through their words, actions, or attitudes, which can have serious consequences for relationships with Him and his people. It’s a reminder to always treat God's name with reverence and avoid any behavior that could damage His presence in our lives. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the dangers of pride and disrespect towards God. It emphasizes that true worship and honor should be shown to Him, not through empty words or actions that defile His name. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible? Discuss what this verse might mean for modern-day relationships with God?