Ezekiel 16:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The wayward son could never be satisfied by them, for desire is an insatiable appetite, and fulfillment does not bring contentment. When Satan ensnares a person in his traps and places his burden upon them, he does not concern himself with appeasing their sinful cravings, as he knows they are already destined for death. We can observe this in the lives of many idolaters, who suffer from both deprivation and hunger. They embody the truth of the prophetic declaration, ‘All harlots are given gifts; and thou thyself hast given gifts to all thy lovers, but hast received no gifts’ (Ezekiel 16:33).

The unfaithful wife who engages in relations with men outside her marriage resembles you, as she receives compensation from her husband and gives it to all those who engage in adultery with her. He further elaborates on this point to emphasize the absurdity of the situation, stating, "Every harlot shall receive payment," yet you have handed out compensation to all your lovers, causing them to flock to you from every direction due to your promiscuity. No one has ever derived anything beneficial from malicious spirits; in their desire to serve these forces, they bring offerings to God that ultimately affirm their own subjugation. This is understood in the statement about burdening them, meaning they gather to you from every corner because of your immorality. Through the gifts she offers, she incites them to rush to you and remain with you persistently.