John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 16:14

"And thy renown went forth among the nations for thy beauty; for it was perfect, through my majesty which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord Jehovah." — Ezekiel 16:14 (ASV)

Here the Prophet still continues to recite those blessings of God by which He had bound the people to Himself. As for the Prophet's statement, that its name had gone forth, this fame cannot be restricted to a short period; but it embraces a continued series of God's favors until the people reached the highest point of happiness, and this happened under David.

There is no doubt that God here means that He was so continually liberal towards the people that their fame became celebrated, for the name of the Israelites was spread far and wide. God deservedly recounts their nobility or renown among His benefits. Hence He adds, on account of the beauty or elegance which I have placed upon thee, He says; because you was perfect through the ornament which I had placed upon thee.

Here, therefore, God signifies that the people had not earned their fame by their own virtue, nor were they noble through their own native excellence, so to speak, but rather by the ornament bestowed upon them. You, therefore, was of great name among the nations, He said. But wherein was that nobility and excellence? Certainly from My gifts. For nothing was accomplished by yourself to arrive at a name and dignity more than royal. Through that ornament thy fame was spread abroad among the nations. But this expansion of their fame must be noticed, since the people had not only experienced God's goodness in that corner of Judea but, when they ought to have been content with their lot, were held in admiration and repute among foreigners. Now follows the reproof—