יחזקאל, פרק י״ג, פסוק ג׳

False prophecy is more than a simple deception of the masses; it is deeply rooted in the inner moral failure and baseness of those who claim to speak for God. A profound sense of sorrow, mourning, and anger is directed toward these individuals who falsely present themselves as divine messengers [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators is to view these pretenders as despicable and lowly people. However, another perspective understands them simply as fools [רש״י, רד״ק]. Building on this idea, [חומת אנך] explains that true divine inspiration can only rest upon a wise person. Therefore, identifying them as fools immediately exposes them as frauds entirely devoid of wisdom. Furthermore, they lack the fundamental qualities required of a genuine messenger: they neither receive any communication from God nor do they possess any genuine desire to guide or improve the people [מלבי״ם].

Rather than being moved by the spirit of God, these individuals are driven entirely by their own personal will [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. They follow their own imaginations [מלבי״ם], or, as [חומת אנך] describes it, they are led by their base, animalistic instincts rather than any true spiritual calling.

Ultimately, their claims are completely empty. While a genuine prophet experiences actual spiritual visions, these imposters have seen absolutely nothing. They invent messages from their own minds, loudly declaring whatever aligns with their personal desires, all without having received any true revelation from God [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].