Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 16:31

"in that thou buildest thy vaulted place at the head of every way, and makest thy lofty place in every street, and hast not been as a harlot, in that thou scornest hire." — Ezekiel 16:31 (ASV)

Eminent place. —See note on Ezekiel 16:24.

In that thou scornest him. —It was characteristic of both the kingdoms of Israel after the division that the interference of foreign nations in their affairs was generally sought first by Israel itself and purchased at a heavy price. The people were so situated on the great highway between the rival nations of Egypt and Assyria that their friendship ought to have been of value to either of them, and to have been sought with great inducements. But Israel, in its weakness and wickedness, more than threw itself away and purchased its own ruin.

The particulars mentioned in this verse belong to the past rather than to the present, and all the tenses should be so translated.