John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 13:17-18

"And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the women that sew pillows upon all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of [persons of] every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?" — Ezekiel 13:17-18 (ASV)

We may gather from this passage that Satan’s lies were not spread among the people so much by men as by women. We know that the gift of prophecy is sometimes, though rarely, allowed to women, and there is no doubt that female prophets existed whenever God wished to brand men with a mark of ignominy as strongly as possible.

I say this because Moses' sister possessed the prophetic gift, and this was never to her brother's discredit (Exodus 15:20). But when Deborah and Huldah fulfilled the prophetic office (Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14), God undoubtedly wished to exalt them to shame the men and indirectly point out their laziness.

Whatever the reason, women have sometimes possessed the prophetic gift. And this is the meaning of Joel's second chapter (Joel 2:28): Your sons shall see visions and your daughters shall prophesy. There is no doubt that the Spirit transfers to the kingdom of Christ what had been common among the ancient people. For we know that Christ’s kingdom is described, or rather depicted, using the image of the government God formerly maintained under the law.

Therefore, since certain women were gifted with the prophetic spirit, Satan, according to his custom, abused this under a false pretense. We know that he always imitates God and transforms himself into an angel of light, because if he were to show himself openly, everyone would instantly flee from him. Therefore, he uses God’s name deceptively to ingratiate himself with the simple and unwary. And he not only sends out false prophets to spread their lies and deceptions widely, but he also uses women for the same harmful purpose.

Here we see how carefully we must guard against any corruption that might subtly enter and contaminate the pure gifts of God. But this contest seems not to have been sufficiently dignified for God's servant, for it was almost shameful when they contended with women.

We know that those who desire praise for bravery do not willingly engage with unequal opponents who have no strength to resist, since there is no praise in a victory that is too easy. So also, Ezekiel could have rejected this task, as it was unworthy of the prophetic office.

Therefore, it appears that God’s servants cannot faithfully carry out the duties given to them unless they endeavor to remove all obstacles. This, then, is the condition for all those to whom God assigns the office of teaching: they must oppose all false doctrines and errors, and never consider or wish for great praise from their victory. It should be enough for them to assert God’s truth against all Satan’s schemes.

Thus we see Paul contended with a workman, Demetrius (Acts 19:24), and that was almost ridiculous. Truly, he might seem not to sufficiently regard his dignity. For from the time he saw secret things that he was not permitted to speak of and was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:4), when he engaged in a contest with a craftsman, he seemed to forget the dignity to which God had raised him.

But we must remember the reason I have mentioned: just as the duty of teaching is given to God’s servants, so they are appointed as His avengers and defenders of the doctrine they proclaim. Therefore, if, so to speak, fleas were to emerge from the earth and rail against sound doctrine, no one motivated by a desire for edification will hesitate to contend even with those fleas.

Thus the Prophet’s humility is evident, because by God’s command he turns to these weak women to refute even them.

It is said, then, woe to those who sew pillows or cushions—it is the same thing—to all armholes, and to those who make covers for the head of every stature. There is no doubt that by these tricks they deceived the minds and eyes of the simple.

It is evident from the law that some ceremonies are useful, since God commands nothing unnecessary. But Satan, by his cunning, turns everything useful to humanity’s destruction. Meanwhile, we must note that false prophets were always excessively fond of outward signs, for since they have nothing substantial to offer, they need ostentation to dazzle everyone's eyes.

This, then, is the reason why men and women who intend to deceive always accumulate numerous ceremonies. Therefore, Ezekiel says that those women had sewn pillows together, and he adds, for all armholes. From this, it appears that they placed them under the armpits of those who consulted them, although he later seems to hint that they themselves reclined on these pillows.

But now he is speaking about the people. The ancients were accustomed, when they reclined at table, to have cushions under their arms, although this is not our custom. But there is no doubt that they wished to represent a kind of sleep, like foolish people who consult oracles and think themselves in ecstasies, snatched away beyond all thoughts of this world.

Then they had veils or coverings that they put over their heads. In this way, deception flourished with the Roman augurs, for they veiled their heads when they wished to begin their incantations. Livy says that the augur stood at the threshold with his head covered and uttered these words, “O Jupiter, hear.” So it is probable that veils covered the heads of those who wished to consult God, so that they might be, as it were, separated from the world, no longer looking at human things, but having only spiritual eyesight.

With this intention, these women used such ceremonies that unfortunate people thought themselves caught up above the world. All earthly thoughts being laid aside, they dozed to receive the oracles. At the same time, they had their heads covered to avoid anything that might divert and distract them and to be wholly intent on spiritual meditations.

As to his saying, upon all arms, and upon the head of every stature. I do not doubt that the Prophet teaches by these words that these women engaged in an indiscriminate practice, making no distinctions, but gratifying everyone without choice, as long as they brought money in their hands, as we shall soon see.

Therefore, this mark of universality should be noted emphatically, because these women did not pay attention to the disposition with which people came, but only eagerly sought their reward. Thus, the gate was as open to everyone as that of the marketplace. For shops are open to everyone, since everyone is expected to promote profit and make bargains, and merchants by their enticements lure as many as they can to purchase their goods.

So also, veils were provided for all heads and cushions for all arms, for there was no difference except in relation to profit from these sacrilegious and base transactions. Regarding the word “stature,” the opinion of those who think it is used because the women ordered those who consulted the oracles to stand appears forced to me and not in accordance with the Prophet’s intention.

I have no doubt that the Prophet uses the word for “age” or “person,” as others correctly interpret it, as if he had said that they made no difference between old and young, tall and short, but prostituted their answers to everyone from whom they expected gain.

It afterwards follows, Is it not to hunt souls? Here God rebukes one crime, but He will soon add another: namely, the profanation of His sacred name. But here He speaks only of the death of souls, as if He said that the women laid these snares to deceive unfortunate souls.

And because Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy against them, he here addresses them more forcefully: Will you hunt the souls of My people? It is literally 'the souls that belong to My people,' but it will be simpler to understand it thus: Will you hunt the souls of My people, and will you give life to your own souls? — unless anyone wishes to interpret it so as to make the Prophet repeat the same thing twice.

For the souls of the people were also their own souls. For as we shall later see, no one is deceived by the devil unless he offers himself willingly and deliberately entangles himself in his snares. Since, then, it is always true that unfortunate people who grasp at vain oracles devote themselves to the devil and his ministers, the passage may therefore be explained in this way.

But the sense I have proposed is simpler: namely, that these women must not be yielded to because they have hunted the souls of the people. It is as if the Prophet had said, 'The people are precious to God, who has undertaken their care.' Thus, then, he reasons: Such is your audacity, indeed, even fury, that you do not hesitate to seize God’s people. Since, therefore, your impiety is so unrestrained and bold, will God allow you to rage with impunity against the souls of whom He is the guardian?

Lastly, he signifies that punishment is prepared for the women who ensnare God’s people because, although those who are deceived are worthy of death, God will still inflict punishment on Satan’s ministers who have endeavored to strip Him of His rights.