John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 16:28

"Thou hast played the harlot also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet thou wast not satisfied." — Ezekiel 16:28 (ASV)

I interpret this verse also concerning the covenant by which the Jews had entangled themselves, when they willingly allied themselves with the Assyrians. For this was a sure sign of distrust when they desired foreign aid to such an extent, as if they had been deprived of God’s protection. It would be absurd to explain this verse in terms of idolatries, since the prophets were not accustomed to speak in this way—that the people committed fornication with the Assyrians merely because they imitated their superstitions and perverse worship.

Therefore, just as we previously saw that the Jews had defiled themselves with idols and prostituted themselves to impious ceremonies, forgetful of God’s law, so now the Prophet accuses them of a different kind of pollution. This pollution arose because they eagerly sought aid from all directions, as if God did not have sufficient strength to protect them.

For otherwise, there was no religious reason preventing them from making peace with the Assyrians. However, when they saw themselves oppressed by the kings of Israel and Syria, they then decided to send for the Assyrians; and this was like thrusting God from His place (2 Kings 16:7–9).

God was willing to defend the land with outstretched wings and to cherish the Jews as a hen cherishes her brood, as Moses says (Deuteronomy 32:11). Yet, by considering themselves exposed to any danger, they were effectively rejecting God's help.

It is not surprising, then, that the Prophet says, that they had polluted themselves with the Assyrians, because they were not satisfied. He continues with the simile we have already discussed sufficiently, for he blames the Jews for their insatiable lust.

This is just as when a woman is not content with a single suitor and, attracting a crowd, puts herself forward without modesty or refinement, and sells herself to wickedness. Such was the licentiousness of the Jews that they combined many acts of pollution.

They had already departed from the true faith by making a treaty with the Egyptians, and they added another misguided notion—that it was useful to have the Assyrians in alliance with them. This, therefore, was the unbridled lust that the Prophet metaphorically rebukes.