Bizarre Prophetic Commands
Exegetical Approaches
This topic has not yet undergone editorial review 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.
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?
Commanding a transgression? Rambam is further bothered by the command that Yechezkel shave his beard and hair, assuming that doing so would entail transgressing the prohibition, "לֹא תַקִּפוּ פְּאַת רֹאשְׁכֶם וְלֹא תַשְׁחִית אֵת פְּאַת זְקָנֶךָ". As Hashem could easily have a prophet relay whatever message He wants through permitted deeds, it is illogical to assume that He would ever command someone to perform a prohibited action.
No mention of vision – These sources are not bothered by the fact that none of the relevant texts share that the event discussed was just in a vision, assuming that
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.
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.
