Bizarre Prophetic Commands/2

Bizarre Prophetic Commands

Exegetical Approaches

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Prophetic Vision

The bizarre actions commanded to prophets and their fulfillment took place only in prophetic visions.  They were meant to act only as analogies, not to be active public displays.

Sources:Ibn EzraHoshea First Commentary 1:2About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, Rambam2 46About Rambam Moreh Nevukhim, RadakYeshayahu 20:2-3Yechezkel 4:4Yechezkel 4:9Yechezkel 5:1Hoshea 1:2About R. David Kimchi

Prophetic standards – These sources find it unfathomable that Hashem would command his prophets to act in ways which would cause others to view them as unstable or mad. If a prophet walks around naked, marries a prostitute, or lies on his side for months on end, how can he earn the respect of the people and have his rebukes to be heard?

Transgressions

No mention of vision

Intended audience

Efficacy of prophecy

Symbolic Action

Hashem's commands were actively fulfilled, despite the embarrassment or pain they might have caused the prophet.  This position subdivides, with some commentators assuming that all the commands were fulfilled to the letter and others re-interpreting Hashem's words to mitigate the difficulty their fulfillment might pose for the prophet.

Literal Fulfillment

Hashem's commands are understood literally, without an attempt to soften the directives or make life easier for the prophet.

Sources:R. Yosef ibn KaspiYeshayahu 20:2Hoshea 1:2About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, AbarbanelYeshayahu 20:1Yechezkel 5:1Hoshea 1:2About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, MalbimHoshea Beur HaInyan 1:2About R. Meir Leibush Weiser

Non-literal Fulfillment

Many of Hashem's commands are reinterpreted, easing their fulfillment and making them accord more with the standards of behavior expected of a prophet.

Sources:ShadalYeshayahu 20:2Yechezkel 4:4Yechezkel 4:12About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto