John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 16:29

"Thou hast moreover multiplied thy whoredom unto the land of traffic, unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith." — Ezekiel 16:29 (ASV)

Here the Prophet teaches that the Jews were immoderate in their desires, just as if a woman who was not satisfied with two or three followers were to wantonly crave many lovers: such, says the Prophet, was the Jews’ licentiousness. Regarding his statement, "over the land of Canaan in Chaldea," some think it means that they heaped up the impure rites of all the nations, and not only defiled themselves with the ancient idolatries of the nations of Canaan, but also imitated the Chaldeans in their impiety.

Others say "in Chaldea, which is next to the land of Canaan"; but this comment, like the last, is too forced. Others take אל, al, comparatively, for “through” the land of Canaan. But I only understand it as a particle expressing likeness: thus, you have multiplied your pollutions in Chaldea just as in the land of Canaan. It is not surprising if they defiled themselves with their neighbors, as the Prophet had previously said they did with the Egyptians; but when they ran about to a remote region of the world, this indeed was most remarkable.

This then seems the real sense, and it reads best: that they increased their defilement in Chaldea as in the land of Canaan. For if a woman meets with a stranger, she may act sinfully without so much disgrace; but when she runs about to a distance to seek followers, this proves her most abandoned.

I have no doubt that the Prophet here exaggerates the people’s crimes by comparison, since they penetrated even to the Chaldeans to pollute themselves among them. He says, that the Jews were not satisfied even with this, using the same expression as when treating of the Assyrians. The sum of the whole is that the Jews were seized with such a furious impulse that they manifested no moderation in their wickedness. For they had not revolted from God once only, or in one direction; but wherever occasion offered, they were accustomed to seize it too eagerly, so that they showed in this way that not even a drop of piety remained in their minds.

Let us learn then from this passage to put the bridle on our lusts in time, for when the fire is lit, it is not easily extinguished, and the devil is always supplying wood or adding oil to the furnace, as the saying goes. Let us then prevent the evil that is here condemned in the Jews, and let us restrain ourselves, lest the devil seize upon us with insane fury.