Lexical Summary ro'eh: Seer, prophet Original Word: רֹאֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vision Active participle of ra'ah; a seer (as often rendered); but also (abstractly) a vision -- vision. see HEBREW ra'ah Brown-Driver-Briggs I. רֹאֶה noun [masculine] seer, with article ׳הָר (except 2 Samuel 15:27); — old name for נָבִיא 1 Samuel 9:9b, used of Samuel 1 Samuel 9:9 a.; 1 Samuel 9:11; 1 Samuel 9:18; 1 Samuel 9:19 and (as archaism) 1 Chronicles 9:22; 1 Chronicles 26:28; 1 Chronicles 29:29; of חֲנָנִי2Chronicles 16:7,10; הֲרוֺאֶה apparently of Zadok 2 Samuel 15:27, but corrupt (conjecture in We Dr); plural (with preposition) לָרֹאִים Isaiah 30:10 the seers, as a class. II. רֹאֶה noun [masculine] prophetic vision ׳שָׁגוּ בָּר Isaiah 28:7 they reel in (their) vision ("" מָּקוּ מְּלִילִיָּת). Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term רֹאֶה (roʾeh) designates “seer,” an early title for a prophetic figure who received divine revelation, often through visions, and served as a trusted conduit of God’s guidance to His people. Although later superseded by the broader title “prophet” (נָבִיא, naviʾ), the term preserves the foundational concept of spiritually gifted sight—seeing what the natural eye cannot perceive. Occurrences and Contexts 1 Samuel 9 supplies five of the six canonical occurrences, clustering the word within the narrative of Saul’s search for his father’s donkeys and his first encounter with Samuel. Isaiah 28:7 provides the final occurrence, contrasting true spiritual perception with drunken stupor. • 1 Samuel 9:9 – “Formerly in Israel, if a man went to inquire of God, he would say, ‘Come, let us go to the seer,’ for the prophet of today was formerly called a seer.” Historical Development of Prophetic Titles Early Israel distinguished between several prophetic roles—roʾeh (seer), ḥozeh (visionary), and naviʾ (prophet). Roʾeh emphasized perceptive insight, ḥozeh highlighted visionary experience, and naviʾ underscored the calling to speak for God. By the time of Samuel, these titles overlapped; 1 Samuel 9:9 records the linguistic transition, indicating that while “seer” remained intelligible, “prophet” became the prevailing term. The shift reflects growth in Israel’s prophetic institution—from localized counselors (e.g., Samuel at Ramah) to national covenant watchdogs (e.g., Elijah, Isaiah). Ministry Functions of the Seer Guidance: The primary function was directional counsel. Saul seeks Samuel to locate lost livestock, but God used the meeting to reveal Saul’s royal destiny. Thus the seer mediated not only mundane guidance but redemptive history. Intercession and Sacrifice: Samuel prepares a sacrificial feast (1 Samuel 9:12–13), illustrating how seers often combined prophetic insight with priestly-like mediation. Anointing Leadership: Samuel as roʾeh anoints Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 10:1). Visionary clarity enabled the identification and commissioning of God’s chosen rulers. Community Discernment: In Isaiah 28:7 the term exposes spiritual failure. When leaders abandon sobriety, revelation ceases. The roʾeh concept therefore carries an implicit ethical demand—purity is prerequisite to true sight. Theological Significance Revelatory Sight: Scripture consistently links sight with faith. The seer is emblematic of the God who sees (Genesis 16:13) and makes Himself known. Thus roʾeh ministry affirms divine immanence—God involves Himself in everyday affairs and national destinies alike. Continuity of Prophetic Office: Even as vocabulary evolved, the essential function remained: God speaks; humanity must listen. The New Testament maintains this continuity, culminating in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet who perfectly discerns the Father’s will (John 8:38). Judgment on False Perception: Isaiah 28:7 warns that moral compromise clouds vision. Genuine prophetic insight is inseparable from holiness, a principle repeated in later prophetic critiques (for example, Ezekiel 13:3). Christological and Eschatological Foreshadowing Samuel’s role as seer prefigures Messiah’s perfect sight. Isaiah promises a Servant upon whom the Spirit rests, judging “not by what His eyes see” (Isaiah 11:3). Jesus fulfills this pattern, perceiving hearts (John 2:25) and declaring, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). Eschatologically, Joel 2:28 foresees a democratization of prophetic sight: “your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Pentecost inaugurates this age (Acts 2:17), extending roʾeh-like perception to the Church through the Holy Spirit. Practical Application for the Church 1. Seek Spiritual Clarity: Believers are exhorted to pray for “the spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17), echoing the seer’s gift. Conclusion רֹאֶה symbolizes God’s gracious provision of visionary leadership. From Samuel’s anointing of Saul to Isaiah’s lament over blind guides, the term underscores how indispensable true spiritual sight is for covenant life. Its legacy challenges every generation to pursue clear, obedient perception of God’s will and to reject any influence—whether moral laxity or cultural intoxication—that obscures the view. Forms and Transliterations בָּֽרֹאֶ֔ה בראה הָרֹאֶ֑ה הָרֹאֶ֔ה הָרֹאֶֽה׃ הראה הראה׃ bā·rō·’eh bārō’eh baroEh hā·rō·’eh hārō’eh haroEhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 9:9 HEB: וְנֵלְכָ֖ה עַד־ הָרֹאֶ֑ה כִּ֤י לַנָּבִיא֙ NAS: and let us go to the seer; for [he who is called] a prophet INT: go against to the seer for a prophet 1 Samuel 9:9 1 Samuel 9:11 1 Samuel 9:18 1 Samuel 9:19 Isaiah 28:7 6 Occurrences |
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