John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 16:38

"And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring upon thee the blood of wrath and jealousy." — Ezekiel 16:38 (ASV)

This verse is added only for the sake of explanation. God had already explained briefly and clearly every event that would happen to the Jews; yet, they would perish in the greatest disgrace and be without any help, since through distrust in God they sought the favor of men, like a woman eager for lovers.

But He confirms the same teaching: that they would suffer double punishment, because they not only polluted themselves so shamefully but also by impious slaughters, as they burned their children in honor of false gods.

This sentence, I will judge you with the judgments of women pouring out blood, may be explained generally. We know that not only was idolatry rampant in Jerusalem, but also plunder and all kinds of cruelty; for since they had departed from God and His worship, they boldly violated His law.

By the "second word," we may understand all the crimes by which they had provoked God’s anger because of their cruelty. But since He has recently spoken of sons, I willingly retain the sense that they should suffer as an adulteress and a parricide who has put her children to death.

But they thought that they obeyed. But He not only rejects but abominates such foolish thoughts, for nothing is more disgraceful than, under the pretext of piety, to slay and burn one’s own children. This, I say, was a profanation of God’s name hardly tolerable.

It is no wonder, then, that He denounces double vengeance, since, when the Jews pleaded their zeal, God branded them with the mark of wickedness, even though they thought He was bound to their interests.