Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia A prophet in the biblical context is an individual chosen by God to deliver His messages and guidance to the people. Prophets play a crucial role throughout the Bible, serving as God's spokespersons, warning of impending judgment, calling for repentance, and revealing God's will and future plans. The Hebrew term for prophet is "navi," which means "one who is called" or "one who announces."Old Testament Prophets The Old Testament is replete with prophets who were instrumental in guiding the Israelites. Some of the most prominent prophets include: · Moses: Often considered the greatest prophet in Israel's history, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 34:10 states, "Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face." · Samuel: A pivotal figure during the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy, Samuel anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. 1 Samuel 3:20 notes, "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD." · Elijah and Elisha: These prophets were known for their miraculous deeds and staunch opposition to idolatry. Elijah famously confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), and Elisha continued his mentor's work, performing many miracles. · Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel: These major prophets delivered messages of both judgment and hope. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah (Isaiah 9:6), Jeremiah warned of the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 25:11), and Ezekiel spoke of restoration and a new covenant (Ezekiel 36:26). · Minor Prophets: The twelve minor prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, addressed various issues such as social injustice, idolatry, and the need for repentance. Despite their brevity, their messages were profound and impactful. New Testament Prophets In the New Testament, the role of the prophet continues, though it takes on new dimensions with the coming of Jesus Christ: · John the Baptist: Regarded as the last of the Old Testament-style prophets, John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, calling for repentance and baptizing those who responded. Jesus said of him, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11). · Jesus Christ: While Jesus is more than a prophet, He is recognized as a prophet in His role of revealing God's truth and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. In Luke 24:19, He is described as "a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people." · Early Church Prophets: The early church also had prophets who played a role in guiding the community. Acts 13:1 mentions prophets in the church at Antioch, and 1 Corinthians 14 discusses the gift of prophecy as a means of edification, exhortation, and comfort. Role and Characteristics of Prophets Prophets were often called to deliver difficult messages, which sometimes led to persecution and rejection. They were characterized by their unwavering commitment to God's truth, often standing alone against societal norms and false teachings. Prophets were also known for their deep spiritual insight and ability to foresee future events as revealed by God. The Bible emphasizes that true prophets are known by their fruits and alignment with God's word. Deuteronomy 18:22 provides a test for true prophecy: "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken." Conclusion The office of the prophet is a testament to God's desire to communicate with His people, guiding them through His chosen messengers. Prophets have been instrumental in shaping the course of biblical history, providing insight into God's character and His plans for humanity. Smith's Bible Dictionary ProphetThe ordinary Hebrew word for prophet is nabi , derived from a verb signifying "to bubble forth" like a fountain; hence the word means one who announces or pours forth the declarations of God. The English word comes from the Greek prophetes (profetes), which signifies in classical Greek one who speaks for another , especially one who speaks for a god , and so interprets his will to man; hence its essential meaning is "an interpreter." The use of the word in its modern sense as "one who predicts" is post-classical. The larger sense of interpretation has not, however, been lost. In fact the English word ways been used in a closer sense. The different meanings or shades of meanings in which the abstract noun is employed in Scripture have been drawn out by Locke as follows: "Prophecy comprehends three things: prediction; singing by the dictate of the Spirit; and understanding and explaining the mysterious, hidden sense of Scripture by an immediate illumination and motion of the Spirit." Order and office . --The sacerdotal order was originally the instrument by which the members of the Jewish theocracy were taught and governed in things spiritual. Teaching by act and teaching by word were alike their task. But during the time of the judges, the priesthood sank into a state of degeneracy, and the people were no longer affected by the acted lessons of the ceremonial service. They required less enigmatic warnings and exhortations, under these circumstances a new moral power was evoked the Prophetic Order. Samuel himself Levite of the family of Kohath, (1 Chronicles 6:28) and almost certainly a priest, was the instrument used at once for effecting a reform in the sacerdotal order (1 Chronicles 9:22) and for giving to the prophets a position of importance which they had never before held. Nevertheless it is not to be supposed that Samuel created the prophetic order as a new thing before unknown. The germs both of the prophetic and of the regal order are found in the law as given to the Israelites by Moses, (13:1; 18:20; 17:18) but they were not yet developed, because there was not yet the demand for them. Samuel took measures to make his work of restoration permanent as well as effective for the moment. For this purpose he instituted companies or colleges of prophets. One we find in his lifetime at Ramah, (1 Samuel 19:19,20) others afterward at Bethel, (2 Kings 2:3) Jericho, (2 Kings 2:2,5) Gilgal; (2 Kings 4:38) and elsewhere. (2 Kings 6:1) Their constitution and object similar to those of theological colleges. Into them were gathered promising students, and here they were trained for the office which they were afterward destined to fulfill. So successful were these institutions that from the time of Samuel to the closing of the canon of the Old Testament there seems never to have been wanting due supply of men to keep up the line of official prophets. Their chief subject of study was, no doubt, the law and its interpretation; oral, as distinct from symbolical, teaching being thenceforward tacitly transferred from the priestly to the prophetic order. Subsidiary subjects of instruction were music and sacred poetry, both of which had been connected with prophecy from the time of Moses (Exodus 15:20) and the judges. (Judges 4:4; 5:1) But to belong to the prophetic order and to possess the prophetic gift are not convertible terms. Generally, the inspired prophet came from the college of prophets, and belonged to prophetic order; but this was not always the case. Thus Amos though called to the prophetic office did not belong to the prophetic order. (Amos 7:14) The sixteen prophets whose books are in the canon have that place of honor because they were endowed with the prophetic gift us well as ordinarily (so far as we know) belonging to the prophetic order. Characteristics . --What then are the characteristics of the sixteen prophets thus called and commissioned and intrusted with the messages of God to his people?
Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews nabi, from a root meaning "to bubble forth, as from a fountain, " hence "to utter", Comp. Psalm 45:1). This Hebrew word is the first and the most generally used for a prophet. In the time of Samuel another word, ro'eh, "seer", began to be used (1 Samuel 9:9). It occurs seven times in reference to Samuel. Afterwards another word, hozeh, "seer" (2 Samuel 24:11), was employed. In 1 Ch. 29:29 all these three words are used: "Samuel the seer (ro'eh), Nathan the prophet (nabi'), Gad the seer" (hozeh). In Joshua 13:22 Balaam is called (Hebrews) a kosem "diviner," a word used only of a false prophet.The "prophet" proclaimed the message given to him, as the "seer" beheld the vision of God. (See Numbers 12:6, 8.) Thus a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spake in God's name and by his authority (Exodus 7:1). He is the mouth by which God speaks to men (Jeremiah 1:9; Isaiah 51:16), and hence what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2 Peter 1:20, 21; Comp. Hebrews 3:7; Acts 4:25; 28:25). Prophets were the immediate organs of God for the communication of his mind and will to men (Deuteronomy 18:18, 19). The whole Word of God may in this general sense be spoken of as prophetic, inasmuch as it was written by men who received the revelation they communicated from God, no matter what its nature might be. The foretelling of future events was not a necessary but only an incidental part of the prophetic office. The great task assigned to the prophets whom God raised up among the people was "to correct moral and religious abuses, to proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God, and which lie at the foundation of his government." Any one being a spokesman for God to man might thus be called a prophet. Thus Enoch, Abraham, and the patriarchs, as bearers of God's message (Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:1; Psalm 105:15), as also Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15; 34:10; Hosea 12:13), are ranked among the prophets. The seventy elders of Israel (Numbers 11:16-29), "when the spirit rested upon them, prophesied;" Asaph and Jeduthun "prophesied with a harp" (1 Chronicles 25:3). Miriam and Deborah were prophetesses (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4). The title thus has a general application to all who have messages from God to men. But while the prophetic gift was thus exercised from the beginning, the prophetical order as such began with Samuel. Colleges, "schools of the prophets", were instituted for the training of prophets, who were constituted, a distinct order (1 Samuel 19:18-24; 2 Kings 2:3, 15; 4:38), which continued to the close of the Old Testament. Such "schools" were established at Ramah, Bethel, Gilgal, Gibeah, and Jericho. The "sons" or "disciples" of the prophets were young men (2 Kings 5:22; 9:1, 4) who lived together at these different "schools" (4:38-41). These young men were taught not only the rudiments of secular knowledge, but they were brought up to exercise the office of prophet, "to preach pure morality and the heart-felt worship of Jehovah, and to act along and co-ordinately with the priesthood and monarchy in guiding the state aright and checking all attempts at illegality and tyranny." In New Testament times the prophetical office was continued. Our Lord is frequently spoken of as a prophet (Luke 13:33; 24:19). He was and is the great Prophet of the Church. There was also in the Church a distinct order of prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5), who made new revelations from God. They differed from the "teacher," whose office it was to impart truths already revealed. Of the Old Testament prophets there are sixteen, whose prophecies form part of the inspired canon. These are divided into four groups: (1.) The prophets of the northern kingdom (Israel), viz., Hosea, Amos, Joel, Jonah. (2.) The prophets of Judah, viz., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. (3.) The prophets of Captivity, viz., Ezekiel and Daniel. (4.) The prophets of the Restoration, viz., Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One who prophesies, or foretells events; a predictor; a foreteller.2. (n.) One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc. 3. (n.) An interpreter; a spokesman. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OLD PROPHET, THE(nabhi' 'echadh zaqen, "an old prophet" (1 Kings 13:11), ha-nabhi' ha-zaqen, "the old prophet" (1 Kings 13:29)): CHRIST AS KING, PRIEST, PROPHET See under several titles; also CHRIST, OFFICES OF. PROPHET, THE OLD See OLD PROPHET, THE. Greek 5578. pseudoprophetes -- a false prophet ... a false prophet. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pseudoprophetes Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dop-rof-ay'-tace) Short Definition: a false prophet ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5578.htm - 8k 4396. prophetes -- a prophet (an interpreter or forth-teller of ... 919. Bariesous -- "son of Joshua," Bar-Jesus, a false prophet 2495. Ionas -- Jonah, an Israelite prophet 2408. Ieremias -- Jeremiah, an OT prophet 5617. Hosee -- Hosea, an Israelite prophet 13. Agabos -- Agabus, a Christian prophet 2268. Esaias -- Isaiah, an Israelite prophet 4545. Samouel -- Samuel, a prophet and judge in Isr. 2243. Elias -- Elijah, an Israelite prophet Strong's Hebrew 5030. nabi -- a spokesman, speaker, prophet... 5029, 5030. nabi. 5031 . a spokesman, speaker, prophet. Transliteration: nabi Phonetic Spelling: (naw-bee') Short Definition: prophet. ... /hebrew/5030.htm - 6k 5029. nebi -- a prophet 256. Achab -- "father's brother," a king of Isr., also a false ... 5151. Nachum -- an Israelite prophet 4401. Malaki -- "my messenger," an Israelite prophet 477. Elisha -- "God is salvation," a well-known Isr. prophet 452. Eliyyah -- "Yah is God," a well-known prophet of Isr., also ... 5986. Amos -- an Israelite prophet 2265. Chabaqquq -- a Hebrew prophet 1410. Gad -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe and its territory ... Library Prophets and the Prophet The Prophet Jonah. The Making of a Prophet John is a Prophet, but not the Prophet. The Prophet Micah. The Prophet Hosea. The Child Prophet The Prophet of the Highest. The Prophet Joel. The Prophet Amos. Thesaurus Prophet (315 Occurrences)... hence "to utter", Comp. Psalm 45:1). This Hebrew word is the first and the most generally used for a prophet. In the time of Samuel ... /p/prophet.htm - 49k Prophet's (22 Occurrences) Amoz (14 Occurrences) Malachi (2 Occurrences) Seer (21 Occurrences) Yea (867 Occurrences) Prediction (4 Occurrences) Presumptuously (10 Occurrences) Prophesies (17 Occurrences) Berechiah (12 Occurrences) Resources What was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a prophet in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Was Jesus a prophet? | GotQuestions.org Prophet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Prophet (315 Occurrences)Matthew 1:22 Matthew 2:5 Matthew 2:15 Matthew 2:17 Matthew 3:3 Matthew 4:14 Matthew 8:17 Matthew 10:41 Matthew 11:9 Matthew 12:17 Matthew 12:39 Matthew 13:35 Matthew 13:57 Matthew 14:5 Matthew 16:4 Matthew 21:4 Matthew 21:11 Matthew 21:26 Matthew 21:46 Matthew 24:15 Matthew 26:68 Matthew 27:9 Matthew 27:35 Mark 1:2 Mark 6:4 Mark 6:15 Mark 11:32 Mark 13:14 Mark 14:65 Luke 1:67 Luke 1:76 Luke 2:36 Luke 3:4 Luke 4:17 Luke 4:24 Luke 4:27 Luke 7:16 Luke 7:26 Luke 7:28 Luke 7:39 Luke 9:8 Luke 9:19 Luke 11:29 Luke 13:33 Luke 20:6 Luke 22:64 Luke 24:19 John 1:21 John 1:23 John 1:25 John 4:19 John 4:44 John 6:14 John 7:40 John 7:52 John 9:17 John 9:18 John 11:51 John 12:38 Acts 2:16 Acts 2:30 Acts 3:22 Acts 3:23 Acts 7:37 Acts 7:48 Acts 8:28 Acts 8:30 Acts 8:34 Acts 13:6 Acts 13:20 Acts 21:10 Acts 28:25 Romans 12:6 1 Corinthians 11:4 1 Corinthians 14:3 1 Corinthians 14:6 1 Corinthians 14:37 Titus 1:12 2 Peter 2:16 Jude 1:14 Revelation 2:20 Revelation 16:13 Revelation 19:19 Revelation 19:20 Revelation 20:10 Revelation 22:7 Genesis 20:7 Exodus 7:1 Exodus 15:20 Numbers 12:6 Numbers 22:7 Deuteronomy 13:1 Deuteronomy 13:3 Deuteronomy 13:5 Deuteronomy 18:15 Deuteronomy 18:18 Deuteronomy 18:19 Deuteronomy 18:20 Deuteronomy 18:22 Deuteronomy 34:10 Subtopics Related Terms Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences) Idol-sacrifices (3 Occurrences) Maher-shalal-hash-baz (2 Occurrences) Mahershalalhashbaz (2 Occurrences) Maher-shalal-hashbaz (1 Occurrence) |