Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin
JOHN CALVIN
passage is like that in Hosea, (Hosea 2:5-8) where God complains that the Jews had profaned the blessings which he had conferred upon them, just as if a wife should bestow on adulterers what she had received from her husband. Foul indeed is this! for a husband thought these would be pledges of chastity when he adorned his wife with precious garments, or enriched her with other presents and ornaments; but when a wife, forgetful of modesty and propriety, throws her husband's gifts at the feet of adulterers, this is indeed outrageous. Hence this sense does not displease me, although it would be more simple to understand it that the Jews had washed away all their goods. He says, that they had hired their lovers to come in from every side for wickedness. He repeats again what we saw before, that the Jews were abandoned sinners, for some, though impure, are content with a single lover. But as he had before said that the Jews spread their feet widely, so he now adds, that they hired lovers from all sides. Shameful indeed is such conduct in any woman: yet Ezekiel reproves the Jews for this indelicacy, and we saw the reason in yesterday's lecture. It follows ---
Ezekiel 16:34
34. And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou art contrary.
34. Et fuit in te inversio a mulieribus, in scortationibus tuis, et post tua postrema 386 non erit scortatio: 387 quia dedisti munus, et munus tibi non fuit datum: ita fuisti in contrarium. 388
But the Prophet only confirms his former teaching, that the Jews were seized with such lust, and in so unaccustomed a manner, that they could only satisfy their desires with severe loss; but this comparison only magnifies their crime, since they were worse than any harlots; for although they basely sell themselves, yet the hope of gain is a kind of pretext and excuse, and a starving woman may be led into great excess; but far fouler and less excusable is her conduct who purchases her lovers.
It now follows ---
Ezekiel 16:35-37
35. Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
35. Propterea, meretrix, audi sermonem Iehovae.
36. Thus says the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;
36. Sic dicit Dominator Iehovah, quia effusum fuit infimum tuum, 389 et detecta fuit turpitudo tua 390 in scortationibus tuis erga amatores tuos, et erga omnia idola abominationum tuarum, et in sanguinibus filiorum tuorum quos dedisti illis.
386That is, "following thee." — Calvin. 387"Understand like your." — Calvin. 388The meaning is the same, the verb {,{הפךhephek, means to overthrow; hence the noun signifies ``inversion,'' or ``the contrary.'' --- Calvin.
389Properly "thy money;" but it is taken metaphorically for "thy lower parts." — Calvin. 390Or, "nakedness." — Calvin.