XXXVI: Of the Word of God, and of Prophets explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Religion and Civil Authority

  Hobbes argues that the sovereign is God's vicegerent on earth, with authority to judge prophetic claims and teach doctrine, thereby subordinating religious authority to civil power.

• Sovereignty and Absolute Power

  The sovereign must uphold or forbid prophets; without this authority, society descends into chaos and civil war.

• Human Nature and Passions

  Men are prone to follow their own dreams or be led by ambitious fellow-subjects, which destroys order and leads to rebellion.

Characters to notice

• Moses

  Moses received the Ten Commandments from God; the people came to him complaining about unauthorized prophets in the camp.

• John the Evangelist

  John calls Christ 'the Word of God' in his Gospel and first Epistle, identifying Him as the promise incarnate.

• Jesus Christ

  Christ is called 'the Word of God' as the thing promised; His incarnation is the performance of God's promise.

• Elijah

  Elijah said to God, 'I have done all these thy words,' meaning he acted according to God's commandment.

• Josiah

  Josiah was slain in battle for not hearkening to the words of Pharaoh-Necho, which proceeded from the mouth of God.

• Pharaoh

  Pharaoh-Necho, an idolater, spoke words that were from God, advising Josiah not to oppose him.

• Saul

  God foretold Saul of his death by the Witch of Endor, showing God speaks through unaccepted persons.

• Antichrist

  The spirit of Antichrist denies that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; false prophets look for a future impostor.

Key passages

• “When there is mention of the 'word of God,' or of 'man,' it doth not signify a part of speech, such as grammarians call a noun or a verb, or any simple voice, without a contexture with other words to make it significative; but a perfect speech or discourse, whereby the speaker 'affirmeth,' 'denieth,' 'commandeth,' 'promiseth,' 'threateneth,' 'wisheth,' or 'interrogateth.'”

  The phrase 'word of God' does not refer to a single grammatical unit like a noun or verb, but to a complete utterance—a statement that affirms, denies, commands, promises, threatens, wishes, or asks something.

  Hobbes clarifies the semantic range of 'word' in Scripture, emphasizing it means discourse, not isolated vocabulary.

• “Every man therefore ought to consider who is the sovereign prophet; that is to say, who it is that is God's vicegerent on earth; and hath next under God, the authority of governing Christian men; and to observe for a rule that doctrine, which in the name of God, He hath commanded to be taught; and thereby to examine and try out the truth of those doctrines which pretended prophets, with miracle, or without, shall at any time advance.”

  Each person must recognize the sovereign as God's representative on earth, with authority to teach Christian doctrine, and use that rule to test the truth of any prophet's claims.

  Hobbes asserts the sovereign's role as the ultimate judge of prophetic truth, preventing chaos and rebellion.