ירמיהו, פרק כ״ג, פסוק ל״א

God declares a direct confrontation and a readiness to punish those who falsely claim to speak in His name. These individuals do not experience true divine revelation. Instead, they rely on their natural speaking skills and imitation to mislead the public, creating a convincing illusion of prophecy [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators is that these false prophets undergo a deliberate process of learning, habituation, and rigorous training of their speech [מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. They train themselves to deliver lies while carefully mimicking the style of authentic prophets, all with the goal of gaining the people's trust [רש״י]. This intense practice results in the ability to speak quickly and fluently [מצודת דוד], using highly energetic language [מלבי״ם]. Others suggest that they smooth their speech, using sweet, coaxing, and persuasive words designed to tempt their listeners [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. From another perspective, they treat their ability to speak just as a skilled craftsman handles his primary tool, wielding their words with calculated precision [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

When these individuals deliver their messages, they present them as decisive and organized statements, a style deeply associated with the authentic language of true prophets [מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון]. Although they completely invent these messages from their own minds, they wrap their fabrications in sweet words and deliver them with a prophetic tone, making them sound exactly like the actual word of God [מצודת דוד]. To further build their credibility, they borrow standard prophetic catchphrases to make it seem as though God Himself is speaking [רש״י]. Ultimately, however, despite the polished delivery and stolen terminology, their words are nothing more than empty speeches devoid of any real truth [ביאור שטיינזלץ].