Prophetic Actions Without Explicit Divine Sanction/2

Prophetic Actions Without Explicit Divine Sanction

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

All Divinely Commanded

All of the miracles and deeds performed by a prophet are Divinely commanded.  Even if Hashem's instructions are not explicitly mentioned, it can be assumed that they were communicated to the prophet before he acted.

Sources:Josephus8 13:2-4About Josephus Antiquities of the Jews, YerushalmiTaanit 2:8Megillah 1:11About the Yerushalmi,  Vayikra Rabbah22:9About Vayikra Rabbah, R. Saadia GaonBemidbar 16:4About R. Yehuda ibn Balaam,  R. Yehuda ibn BalaamBemidbar 16:4About R. Yehuda ibn Balaam, RashbamShemot 11:1Bemidbar 16:4Bemidbar 16:28-29About R. Shemuel b. Meir, TosafotSanhedrin 89bAbout Ba'alei HaTosafot, Radak #2Melakhim I 18:21Melakhim I 18:36Melakhim II 4:16About R. David Kimchi,¹ Ramban #2Shemot 10:2Shemot 11:1Shemot 14:15Shemot 16:4Shemot 32:27Vayikra 9:2Vayikra 10:3Bemidbar 16:5Bemidbar 17:6About R. Moshe b. Nachman,² R. Yosef ibn KaspiMelakhim I 17:1About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi, NetzivShemot 16:6-8Shemot 16:16Shemot 16:23Shemot 16:34Shemot 32:27Vayikra 10:3Bemidbar 16:4, 17Bemidbar 16:28, 30About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin

Prophetic autonomy – According to this approach, prophets do not have the power to change nature on their own, and, thus, any miracle that a prophet decrees is done only at Hashem's bidding.³ It is possible to go even further and suggest that, even in the natural realm, prophets do not have the autonomy to make any significant decisions except with Divine guidance.⁴

Biblical cases – This position attempts to explain away all cases where a prophet seems to be acting independently:

• Ending plagues⁵ – Moshe must have been given permission beforehand to tell Paroh to set a time for the plague to end. Though he knew Hashem would agree to end the plague at the requested time, Moshe nonetheless prayed to him as this was necessary for Paroh to recognize God's role.
• Promising meat – These sources could explain, as do R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 16:11,23About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor and R. D"Z HoffmannShemot 16:12, 15, 23About R. David Zvi Hoffmann that Hashem's command in Shemot 16:12, where He explicitly mentions meat, is achronological and actually preceded Moshe's announcement.⁶ Thus, Moshe did not on his own decree that Hashem would feed the people meat.⁷
• Incense test – Many of these sources⁸ understand Moshe's falling on his face after Korach's initial complaint as a sign of prophetic communication and suggest that at this juncture, Hashem told him how to proceed during the rebellion and directed him to propose the incense test.  The test, thus, was not Moshe's own invention.⁹
• Earth opening – Ramban maintains that Hashem hinted that the earth was to swallow the leaders when He said, "הֵעָלוּ מִסָּבִיב לְמִשְׁכַּן קֹרַח דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם," so here, too, Moshe was not declaring a miracle on his own.¹⁰
• Moshe and the petition of the 2/12 tribes – Ramban points to the tribes' words "אֵת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר י"י אֶל עֲבָדֶיךָ כֵּן נַעֲשֶׂה" at the conclusion of the negotiations as proof that Moshe did not independently decide that they could settle the eastern bank.
• Yehoshua and the sun – These sources could explain that Yehoshua was not decreeing that the sun stand still, but rather praying to Hashem for aid, hoping that He would acquiesce to make a miracle.¹¹  However, the fact that he does so publicly, ("וַיֹּאמֶר לְעֵינֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל"), is difficult for he could not be certain that Hashem would agree. Alternatively, they might suggest that this was a unique case, as the verse itself suggests when it declares, "וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו לִשְׁמֹעַ י"י בְּקוֹל אִישׁ".
• Shemuel bringing rain – This approach would likely explain that, despite the text's silence, Shemuel had been told beforehand to bring rain as a sign for the people. He nonetheless prayed that the rain come, not because he doubted it, but to ensure that the people recognized that the rain was indeed coming from Hashem and not coincidental.
• Natan and the Mikdash – In this case, Natan clearly speaks against Hashem's wishes when he permits David to build the Mikdash, so it is impossible to suggest that Natan had been told previously what to say.  This approach could suggest that Natan was not acting in the role of prophet when he responded to David, but only as a royal advisor.¹² 
• Eliyahu's miracles
• Declaration of drought and Contest on Mt. Carmel – Several sources¹³ point to Eliyahu's statement on Mt. Carmel that  "הַיּוֹם יִוָּדַע כִּי... אֲנִי עַבְדֶּךָ [וּבִדְבָרְךָ] (ובדבריך) עָשִׂיתִי אֵת כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה" as proof that Eliyahu's actions were all done at Hashem's behest.¹⁴  It is ambiguous, though, if the words "כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה" refer just to the events on Mt. Carmel, or also to the initial declaration of drought. These sources would likely say that even if it refers only to the former, one can learn from here to the rest of Eliyahu's miracles, that they too were done by the word of God.  
• Eliyahu and the pitcher of flour – The text itself states that this miracle occurred by the word of Hashem: "כִּדְבַר י"י אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר בְּיַד אֵלִיָּהוּ".
• Eliyahu reviving the boy – These sources could explain that in this case, Eliyahu was really simply praying to Hashem that the boy revive and did not know in advance, nor necessarily expect, that Hashem would accede to his request.
• Eliyahu and officers of fifty – These sources might suggest that just as the text attests to the fact that an angel told Eliyahu not to kill the third officer and his men, Hashem had previously told him that He would release fire on the others.¹⁵
• Elisha's miracles¹⁶ – Only by two of Elisha's miracles (the sweetening of waters, and giving of bread) does the text allude to Hashem's having directed that the miracle would occur.¹⁷ This approach would suggest that, despite the silence in the text, the other miracles happened in the same manner.

Why is Hashem's command not stated? As seen above, in several cases there is some allusion in the text to a command of Hashem, though not always explicit, while in other cases Hashem's role is totally absent.  Ramban explains that it is the way of Tanakh to be brief in one place and lengthy in another. Instead of tediously repeating both a command and its fulfillment, sometimes the Torah brings one, sometimes the other, and sometimes both.  However, the reasoning behind the choice of when to share each component is not always clear.¹⁸

"מֵקִים דְּבַר עַבְדּוֹ" – This verse, in context, says nothing about Hashem fulfilling the independent decrees of his prophets.  Rather, it refers to Hashem keeping His own promises as expressed via the prophecies of His loyal messengers. Hashem is contrasting the speech of "imposters" ("בַּדִּים") and "diviners" ("קֹסְמִים") whose words are not trustworthy, with that of His prophets, whose predictions are reliable precisely because they speak the word of God.¹⁹

"וְתִגְזַר אֹמֶר וְיָקׇם לָךְ" – These words of Elifaz to Iyyov are also unrelated to the concept of Hashem fulfilling the decrees of his prophets and simply mean that Hashem cares for the righteous and helps them succeed in their chosen paths.

Prophetic fallibility – Since a prophet has no autonomy to act on his own, there is no room to err.²⁰

Poetic License – Dunash. b. Labrat1 goes as far as to say that even the words used by the prophet are all chosen by Hashem.

Speaking/ Acting in Hashem's name – If a prophet cannot act on his own initiative at all, all the more so that any place where he speaks or acts in the name of God, it must be assumed that he received Divine instructions, even if no prior command is found in the text.  For a full discussion, see Invoking Hashem's Name Without Explicit Divine Sanction.

Moshe versus other prophets – These sources do not distinguish between Mose and other prophets with regards to the level of autonomy granted to each.

Evaluation of prophet – According to this approach, the greatness of a prophet lies in his strict obedience to the word of God.  The fact that his autonomy is limited helps ensure that the Divine Hand and Word are recognized as such and not confused with that of the prophet.

Prophet's Own Initiative

A prophet is granted the ability by Hashem to act and perform wonders on his own initiative.

Sources:Seder Eliyahu Rabbah, Ramban #1Bemidbar 16:5Bemidbar 17:6About R. Moshe b. Nachman, ChizkuniShemot 10:3Shemot 11:4Bemidbar 30:2About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach, R. Yosef AlboR. Yosef Albo Sefer HaIkkarim 4:22About R. Yosef Albo, R. Avraham b. Shelomo,²¹ AbarbanelMelakhim II 8:6About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel,²² MalbimMelakhim I 17:1Melakhim I 17:14Yeshayahu Beur HaInyan 44:26Iyyov 22:28About R. Meir Leibush Weiser

Prophetic autonomy – According to this position, a prophet has a significant degree of autonomy.  He is able not only to determine his own course of action without Hashem's prior approval, but also to invoke supernatural means to do so:

• R. Yosef Albo explains that when someone has reached a certain level of righteousness and belief in Hashem,²³ he is able to control nature through his speech.²⁴  If a miracle is needed, not only need he not first seek Hashem's agreement to act, it is preferable that he perform the deed on his own.²⁵
• R. Avraham b. Shelomo, in contrast, suggests that a prophet can act on his own only because he is so in tune with Hashem's thoughts and will that he can intuit what Hashem would want done.  As such, it is as if Hashem has communicated with him. 

"מֵקִים דְּבַר עַבְדּוֹ" and "וְתִגְזַר אֹמֶר וְיָקׇם לָךְ" – These two verses serve as proof that whatever a prophet decrees will be fulfilled by Hashem.

Biblical cases – These sources point to the many cases in Tanakh where a prophet acts/ brings miracles without first consulting with Hashem as proof of their position.  Moshe's decrees during Korach's rebellion, Yehoshua's stopping of the sun, Shemuel's bringing of rain, Eliyahu and Elisha's many miracles are all done by their word alone and not prefaced by Divine commands.²⁶

Why pray? If a prophet can indeed perform supernatural phenomenon, it is not clear why in several of the above cases²⁷ the prophet felt the need to pray to Hashem so that He fulfill the decree.

• In certain instances, such as Moshe's stopping of the plagues, Shemuel's bringing of rain and Eliyahu's actions at Mt Carmel, it is possible that the point of the miracle was specifically to highlight Hashem's power.  The prayer, then, was more for the audience than the prophet.
• –

"וְלֹא הָיָה כַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לְפָנָיו וְאַחֲרָיו לִשְׁמֹעַ י"י בְּקוֹל אִישׁ" – This verse is problematic for this approach as it suggests that Yehoshua's deed was unique and that it was the only case in which Hashem fulfilled the decree of a prophet.

Prophetic fallibility

• According to R. Avraham b. Shelomo, the only individuals who can independently bring miracles are those who are completely in line with Hashem's thoughts and desires.  Thus a prophet can not err or act against Hashem's wishes.
• According to the other sources, however, it would seem that prophetic autonomy leaves room for a prophet to make mistakes.  Moreover,  it would also seem to allow a prophet  "force Hashem's hand" even against His will. Abarbanel, in fact, claims that Hashem was angry at Eliyahu's decisions to bring drought

Prophetic Prayer

When a prophet independently declares that a miracle is to happen, he is in effect praying that Hashem will fulfill his words and risks the possibility that Hashem will not accede to his request.

Sources: R. Yosef KaraYehoshua 10:12Shemuel I 12:17About R. Yosef Kara, Ibn EzraShemot Second Commentary 8:8-9Bemidbar 16:4About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RambamCommentary on the Mishna, IntroductionAbout R. Moshe b. Maimon, Radak #1Melakhim I 17:1Melakhim I 18:21Melakhim I 18:36About R. David Kimchi, Avvat NefeshAvvat Nefesh, Commentary on Ibn Ezra Bemidbar 20:8, RalbagShemuel I 12, Toelet 23Melakhim I 17:1Melakhim I 18:32-36Melakhim I Toalot 18:36About R. Levi b. Gershom, Akeidat YitzchakBemidbar 78Bemidbar 80Bemidbar 82About R. Yitzchak Arama, AbarbanelShemot 8:8Shemot 10:29, 11:1, 4Shemot 16:9Shemot 16Shemot 16:23Shemot 32:27Vayikra 9:5-6Vayikra 10:3Bemidbar 16:3Devarim 34:11Melakhim I 17:1Melakhim I 18:36Melakhim II 2:22Melakhim II 8:6About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, ShadalShemot 8:8About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto, R. David Zvi HoffmannShemot 8:8About R. David Zvi Hoffmann

Uniqueness of Moshe

¹ This seems to be Radak's less preferred understanding.  He also raises the possibility that prophets act on their own, trusting that Hashem will fulfill their words.

² In speaking of Moshe's actions during the rebellion of Korach, Ramban brings both this possibility and the possibility that Moshe acted on his own.

³ It should be noted that each of the sources above refer only to individual cases, and do not discuss the issue in general terms, so it is difficult to know for certain if they would necessarily take this approach regarding all miracles.

⁴ However, none of these sources explicitly make this claim.

⁵ See also Shemot 8:25-27 and Shemot 9:29-33.

⁶ It is not clear, though, why the story was not simply told in its proper order.

⁷ Alternatively, they could explain like Ibn EzraShemot Second Commentary 16:4About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, that when Hashem promised "הִנְנִי מַמְטִיר לָכֶם לֶחֶם" in verse 4, Moshe understood the word "לחם" in its general sense to include meat.

⁸ See R. Saadia, Ibn Balaam, Rashbam and Ramban.

⁹ Rashbam even claims that Moshe's later words "בְּזֹאת תֵּדְעוּן כִּי י"י שְׁלָחַנִי לַעֲשׂוֹת אֵת כׇּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים הָאֵלֶּה" refer specifically to his hope that the nation will recognize that the test was devised by Hashem, and not himself.  [Most other commentators, in contrast, explain that Moshe is speaking of the choosing of Aharon as priest.

¹⁰ He further suggests that Moshe even announced teh miracle in the name of HAshem and the people themselves recognized the Divine role in the miracle. Later when they complained "אַתֶּם הֲמִתֶּם אֶת עַם י"י", they were referring only to those killed through the incense test, not by the earth.

¹¹ Thus, the verse states, "אָז יְדַבֵּר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לַי"י " emphasizing that Yehoshua's words were addressed to Hashem.

¹² Alternatively, the sources might suggest that though a prophet cannot bring a miracle on his own, he does have the autonomy to make certain decisions on his own, especially those which could be corrected if he erred.

¹³ See Yerushalmi Ta'anit, Yerushalmi Megillah, Vayikra Rabbah and Radak.  The midrashic sources all focus on how Eliyahu can build a private altar if this is prohibited by the Torah, rather than the question of how Eliyahu could bring miraculous fire.

¹⁴ See Radak who questions, as above, that if so, it is not clear why Eliyahu then needs to pray that Hashem answer him.  Radak answers that Eliyahu wanted to ensure that the people did not think that the fire was some magical trick.

¹⁵ The same fact, however, can be used to make the reverse argument.  The fact that an angel was needed to tell Eliyahu not to kill the third officer might support the possibility that otherwise Eliyahu's words themselves would have sufficed to have him killed by fire.

¹⁶ See also: Melakhim II 4, Melakhim II 5:25-27, Melakhim II 6:1-7, and Melakhim II 6:15-18.

¹⁷ In each case, Elisha prefaces the bringing of the miracle with the statement, "כֹּה אָמַר י"י ".  In neither instance, though, does the text record Hashem's statement, though by the miracle of bread the unit concludes by sharing, "וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיּוֹתִרוּ כִּדְבַר י"י". 

¹⁸ Regarding the story of Korach, he also raises the possibility that Hashem's will was known to Moshe not through speech but rather "רוח הקודש" and therefore no speech is mentioned in the text.

¹⁹ See Radak on the verse in Yeshayahu.

²⁰ See above regarding Natan's mistaken response to David when asked about building the Beit HaMikdash.

²¹ According to R. Avraham b. Shelomo the prophet intuits the will of God.

²² This is how Abarbanel presents the miracles of prophets in his comments to Melakhim 8.  In his commentary on Devarim, in contrast, he emphasizes how prophets must pray to Hashem to elicit a  miracle.

²³ He does not limit this ability to prophets, but includes righteous, God-fearing individuals as well.

²⁴ Though it is ultimately Hashem who brings the miracle, the prophet knows with certainty that Hashem will fulfill his words, and so it is as if he alone is acting.

²⁵ Otherwise the prophet might cause a desecration of Hashem's name when people think that he wasn't capable of performing miracles.  R. Yosef Albo, in fact, claims that this was Moshe and Aharon's sin at Mei Merivah.  By running to the Tent of Meeting to seek Hashem's advice, rather than miraculously bringing the people water on their own, they caused the people to doubt their supernatural powers and that Hashem "fulfills the word of his servants".  For elaboration see Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah.

²⁶ R"Y Albo also points to the miraculous feats of Talmudic sages such as R. Chanina b. Doas, R. Pinchas b. Yair and Nachum ish Gamzu, who appear to change nature at will.

²⁷ For example, Yehoshua prays to Hashem that the sun stand still, Shemuel prays for rain, Eliyahu asks Hashem to bring fire and to revive the boy, and Elisha prays to resurrect the son of the Shunamite woman and to change the vision of his servant and the Arameans that surround them.