Definition: And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 36:23. It’s a really rich and layered message about God’s perspective on humanity. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: God is feeling deeply hurt by the ways people in the world – specifically, the Israelites – have treated Him and His name. He's saying he’s going to actively restore His reputation and honor through this process of purification and sanctification. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “And I will sanctify my great name…” - This is the most important part. “Great name” refers to God's identity, power, and holiness – He’s the ultimate authority. He’s feeling a sense of being defiled or diminished. “…among the heathen…” - "Heathen" means people who don’t worship God as He does. This refers to those living in the nations that were previously worshipping other gods and deities. "...which ye have profaned in the midst of them;” – This is a very strong statement. It means they've been dishonoring, disrespecting, or even actively harming God’s presence and His will through their actions. It suggests they're not just being polite; they’re deliberately breaking things. "...in the midst of them." - This emphasizes that this wasn't a one-time thing, but a long-term problem that has been going on for a while. What does it mean to “restore” God’s name? The verse implies that God is actively working to reclaim His reputation. It means He wants to make Him worthy of praise and respect once again. He's taking steps to restore the honor and integrity that has been lost. The Final Part – “when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” This is a crucial part. It’s a promise, but it's also a declaration of God’s intention. It means: “I shall be sanctified…” - God intends to become holy and righteous again. "...in you..." – He wants to make this restoration through the people of those nations. It’s not just about His own holiness; it's about bringing Him into the hearts, minds, and actions of humanity. "...before their eyes." - This is poetic language suggesting God will be watching and actively working to restore His honor in these people. It implies a process that will be visible and impactful. Overall Interpretation: The verse portrays a sense of righteous indignation on God’s part, but also an active plan for restoration. It's about recognizing that humanity has been failing to honor God and He is actively working to restore His character and glory through them. In short, it’s a call to repentance, a promise of restoration, and a declaration that God is actively involved in bringing back His honor. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to specific biblical stories or themes? Offer a different interpretation of the verse based on different theological perspectives?