John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 16:32

"A wife that committeth adultery! that taketh strangers instead of her husband!" — Ezekiel 16:32 (ASV)

Some translate it as an adulteress under her husband’s roof. The Hebrew word תחת (thecheth) signifies "instead of," and they explain it this way: that adulteresses do not divorce themselves from their husbands when they violate the marriage bond, but always remain at home for the purpose of admitting strangers. They think the people's crime is increased by this comparison, suggesting that they not only acted deceitfully towards God but openly revolted from Him and left His home. For many shameless women remain at home and hide their crimes as far as they can; but when a woman deserts her husband and children, then her case is most deplorable. They think, therefore, that the Prophet is here exaggerating the divorce or revolt of the people from God.

However, the sense seems better to simply compare them to an adulteress who admits strangers instead of her husband. You are, he says, an adulteress who has sent for strange lovers instead of your husband. For a woman married to a liberal husband is treated by him honorably; and if she seeks lovers from all sides, she is induced by neither avarice nor covetousness, but by her own lusts.

In short, as the Prophet recently said that they despised all gain because they were blinded by their appetites, so he now says they were like an adulteress who rejects her husband; and not only that, but throws herself into the protection of others, while she has an honorable and happy home.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since You have deemed us worthy of such honor, that we should be bound to You in Your only-begotten Son by the bond of a spiritual marriage, and that we may remain in that fidelity which we promised to You, since we have found You faithful to us by so many proofs on Your part, until, having passed through this present life, we arrive at the enjoyment of that blessedness which is the fruit of our faithful chastity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.