Invoking Hashem's Name Without Explicit Divine Sanction/2
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Speaking in the Name of Hashem Without Divine Sanction
Exegetical Approaches
Acting Upon Hashem's Words
Even where Hashem's speech is not mentioned in the verses it can be assumed that whatever a prophet says or does in His name, did in fact stem from His command. This position subdivides regarding whether or not Hashem must explicitly direct the prophet or whether the prophet may intuit Hashem's desire from hints and allusions.
Explicit Command
When a prophet speaks in the name of Hashem, he is acting on a direct command of Hashem.
Sources:Shemot Rabbah 13:4?, Lekach Tov, Rashbam, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Ramban, Abarbanel, R. David Zvi Hoffmann
Prophetic Autonomy
- No autonomy – This position might assert that a prophet has no autonomy to act or speak on his own at all. In all cases he must do only as commanded. R. Adonim goes as far as to say that even the words used by the prophet are all chosen by Hashem.
- Some autonomy – However, many of these commentators disagree and believe that, when necessary, a prophet can act/speak on his own initiative.1 Nonetheless, a prophet would never do so in the name of Hashem and only invokes Hashem's words if He had in fact spoken previously.2
"הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר יָזִיד לְדַבֵּר דָּבָר בִּשְׁמִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר לֹא צִוִּיתִיו" – This approach might understand this verse literally to mean that a prophet is prohibited from speaking in the name of Hashem unless so commanded. Thus, all verses which assume that a loyal prophet did so (and was not punished) must be reinterpreted.
"מֵקִים דְּבַר עַבְדּוֹ" – This position could suggest that this verse has nothing to do with the autonomous speech of a prophet and instead refers to Hashem keeping His own promises as expressed by his messengers . Hashem is contrasting the speech of "false" leaders and "diviners" whose words are not trustworthy with those of His prophets, who are reliable precisely because they speak the word of God. Alternatively, the verse speaks of fulfilling the prayers and hopes of his prophets.
Why isn't Hashem's command stated?
Biblical Cases
Acting without invoking Hashem
Moshe versus other prophets
Implicit Command
A prophet might understand Hashem's will from only indirect comments or suggestions and can apply Hashem's commands from one situation to another.
Acting on Own
A prophet, at times, will speak or act on his own initiative and nonetheless attribute the action to Hashem's command.
Sources:Pesikta DeRav Kahana, Shemot Rabbah, Tanchuma (Buber), Chizkuni, Avvat Nefesh, R. Yosef Albo, Seforno, Malbim, Cassuto
