John Calvin 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)

Here the Prophet again rebukes the superstitions to which the Jews had devoted themselves. Yet he speaks figuratively, because when he speaks of high places, he does not simply mean altars, but tents with which the Jews had attempted to entice their neighbors: just as if an immodest woman would choose a high place and build her couch there conspicuously to attract admirers.

Therefore, although he denounces superstitions, the language is not simple but retains the same metaphor that had been previously used. He says that the Jews were so prone to lust that they were ostentatious and attracted followers from a distance, and set up their tents or couches in high places.

Since this has been discussed before, I will now touch on it briefly. But we may observe that something which seems of slight importance is here seriously condemned by the Prophet, from which we may learn that the worship of God is not to be judged by our natural understanding. For who would think it so great a crime to build an altar on a high place to God’s honor? Yet we see that the Prophet detests that superstition.

Therefore, since God desires nothing to be changed in His worship, as the primary part of His worship is obedience, which He prefers to all sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22), let us learn that things we might tolerate should be detested by us, because God condemns them so severely.

Since therefore you have erected and made for yourself a high place at the head of all streets and paths—that is, in every prominent place. Here we see how ardently they were inflamed by idolatry, so as to provoke the anger of God. This seemed unworthy of them, just as Roman Catholics today, who are intent on idol worship, and under the title of “devotion,” think that any vice can and should be excused before God.

But, on the other hand, the Holy Spirit says that idolaters sin more grievously by being so eager for those impure rites. He says, you were not like a harlot in despising hire.

Some explain this unconvincingly, saying that harlots mentally despise the folly of those who reward them, but this interpretation is incorrect. Another view is more probable: that the Jews were not like a harlot who despises the bribe with which she is deceived. For by this craftiness, such harlots gain most influence when they contemptuously spurn what is offered them and scarcely deign to touch it. They do this so that the wretched lover may not think himself sufficiently generous, and so may double his gift and squander all his possessions.

This passage, then, might mean that the people were not like a harlot who despises her reward so that the wretched lover may feel ashamed and increase his offer. But the Prophet’s meaning seems different to me, though I do not entirely reject this view.

I interpret it this way: the Jews were not like a harlot, since they despised any reward for their sin, while harlots do not. Harlots profit from their lusts, from which they get their name. Since, then, such persons sell themselves for payment, the Prophet says that the Jews were not like them. Why? Because they scorned reward and, out of a mere desire to gratify their appetites, neither asked for nor expected any payment.