In the biblical context, a "seer" is a term used to describe a prophet, someone who receives divine revelations and communicates them to others. The role of a seer is closely associated with that of a prophet, though the term "seer" emphasizes the visionary aspect of receiving divine messages. The Hebrew word for seer is "ro'eh," which is often used interchangeably with "nabi," the more common term for prophet.

Old Testament References

The concept of a seer is prevalent in the Old Testament, where seers are depicted as individuals chosen by God to convey His will and guidance to the people of Israel. One of the earliest mentions of a seer is in 1 Samuel 9:9, which provides a historical note: "Formerly in Israel, when 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 the seer."

Samuel, one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament, is referred to as a seer. In 1 Samuel 9:19, Samuel identifies himself to Saul, saying, "I am the seer." Samuel's role as a seer was crucial during a transitional period in Israel's history, as he anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, under God's direction.

Another notable seer is Gad, who served as a seer to King David. In 2 Samuel 24:11, Gad is referred to as "David's seer," and he played a significant role in advising the king, particularly during times of crisis.

Characteristics and Functions

Seers were known for their ability to receive visions and dreams, which were considered divine communications. These visions often contained symbolic imagery and required interpretation. Seers were tasked with delivering messages of warning, guidance, and encouragement to individuals and the nation of Israel. They also played a role in anointing leaders, as seen in the case of Samuel anointing Saul and David.

The role of a seer was not limited to foretelling future events; it also involved providing insight into God's will and purpose for His people. Seers were expected to live lives of integrity and faithfulness, as their authority and credibility depended on their relationship with God.

Distinction from Other Prophets

While all seers are prophets, not all prophets are referred to as seers. The distinction lies in the method of revelation. Seers primarily received divine messages through visions, whereas other prophets might receive God's word through different means, such as direct speech or inspiration.

New Testament Context

The term "seer" is not commonly used in the New Testament, as the focus shifts to the broader role of prophets within the early Christian church. However, the visionary aspect of prophecy is evident in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation, where John receives apocalyptic visions.

Conclusion

The role of the seer in the Bible highlights the importance of divine communication and guidance in the life of God's people. Seers served as intermediaries between God and humanity, providing insight, direction, and revelation. Their contributions were vital in shaping the spiritual and political landscape of Israel and continue to be a subject of study and reflection in understanding the prophetic tradition in Scripture.Seer

One supernaturally enlightened to see things which God only can reveal; applied to certain Hebrews prophets, 1 Samuel 9:9 2 Chronicles 29:30 33:18,19 Isaiah 29:10 30:10. Compare Numbers 24:3,4.

A name sometimes applied to the prophets because of the visions granted to them. It is first found in 1 Samuel 9:9. It is afterwards applied to Zadok, Gad, etc. (2 Samuel 15:27; 24:11; 1 Chronicles 9:22; 25:5; 2 Chronicles 9:29; Amos 7:12; Micah 3:7). The "sayings of the seers" (2 Chronicles 33:18, 19) is rendered in the Revised Version "the history of Hozai" (marg., the seers; so the LXX.), of whom, however, nothing is known. (see PROPHET.) (n.) A person who foresees events; a prophet.SEER

se'-er, ser: The word in English Versions of the Bible represents two Hebrew words, ro'eh (1 Samuel 9:9, 11, 18, 19 2 Samuel 15:27 1 Chronicles 9:22, etc.), And chozeh (2 Samuel 24:11 2 Kings 17:13 1 Chronicles 21:9; 1 Chronicles 25:5; 1 Chronicles 29:29, etc.). The former designation is from the ordinary verb "to see"; the latter is connected with the verb used of prophetic vision. It appears from 1 Samuel 9:9 that "seer" (ro'-eh) was the older name for those who, after the rise of the more regular orders, were called "prophets." It is not just, however, to speak of the "seers" or "prophets" of Samuel's time as on the level of mere fortune-tellers. What insight or vision they possessed is traced to God's Spirit. Samuel was the ro'-eh by pr-eeminence, and the name is little used after his time. Individuals who bear the title "seer" (chozeh) are mentioned in connection with the kings and as historiographers (2 Samuel 24:11 1 Chronicles 21:9; 1 Chronicles 25:5; 1 Chronicles 29:29 2 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 12:15; 2 Chronicles 19:2, etc.), and distinction is sometimes made between "prophets" and "seers" (2 Kings 17:13 1 Chronicles 29:29, etc.). Havernick thinks that "seer" denotes one who does not belong to the regular prophetic order (Introductions to Old Testament, 50;, English translation), but it is not easy to fix a precise distinction.

See PROPHET; PROPHECY.

James Orr

3132. manteuomai -- to divine
... in the practice. Word Origin from mantis (a seer) Definition to divine
NASB Word Usage fortune-telling (1). soothsaying. From a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3132.htm - 6k2374. chozeh -- a seer
... 2373, 2374. chozeh. 2375 . a seer. Transliteration: chozeh Phonetic Spelling:
(kho-zeh') Short Definition: seer. Word Origin active ...
/hebrew/2374.htm - 6k

7203a. roeh -- a seer
... roeh. 7203b . a seer. Transliteration: roeh Short Definition: seer. Word Origin
from raah Definition a seer NASB Word Usage seer (10), seer's (1), seers (1). ...
/hebrew/7203a.htm - 5k

7203. ro'eh -- a seer
ro'eh. 7202, 7203. ro'eh. 7203a . a seer. Transliteration: ro'eh Phonetic
Spelling: (ro-eh') Short Definition: vision. vision Active ...
/hebrew/7203.htm - 5k

2335. Chozay -- "seer," a keeper of records
... 2334, 2335. Chozay. 2336 . "seer," a keeper of records. Transliteration:
Chozay Phonetic Spelling: (kho-zah'-ee) Short Definition: Hozai. ...
/hebrew/2335.htm - 6k

883. Beer Lachay Roi -- "well of the living One that sees me," a ...
... Beer-lahai-roi. From 'er and chay (with prefix) and ro'eh; well of a living (One)
my Seer; Beer-Lachai-Roi, a place in the Desert -- Beer-lahai-roi. ...
/hebrew/883.htm - 6k

2375. Chazo -- a son of Nahor
... Hazo (1). Hazo. From chazah; seer; Chazo, a nephew of Abraham -- Hazo. see HEBREW
chazah. 2374, 2375. Chazo. 2376 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2375.htm - 6k

2627. chassir -- lacking, wanting, deficient
... chassir or chassir. 2628 . lacking, wanting, deficient. Transliteration: chassir
or chassir Phonetic Spelling: (khas-seer') Short Definition: deficient. ...
/hebrew/2627.htm - 6k

3626. Kol-chozeh -- an Israelite name
... name NASB Word Usage Col-hozeh (2). Col-hozeh. From kol and chozeh; every seer;
Col- Chozeh, an Israelite -- Col-hozeh. see HEBREW kol. see HEBREW chozeh. ...
/hebrew/3626.htm - 6k

5518. ciyr -- a pot
... 5517, 5518. ciyr. 5518a . a pot. Transliteration: ciyr Phonetic Spelling:
(seer) Short Definition: caldron. caldron, fishhook, pan, washpot, thorn ...
/hebrew/5518.htm - 5k

Jesaia, Dem Propheten, Das Geschah. These Things the Seer Isaiah ...
... XXV. Jesaia, dem Propheten, das geschah. These Things the Seer Isaiah did befall.
The German Sanctus. Written for Luther's German Mass, 1526. Melody, 1526. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xxv jesaia dem propheten das.htm

Whether the Essence of God is Seen by the Created Intellect ...
... power of sight, and union of the thing seen with the sight. For vision is made
actual only when the thing seen is in a certain way in the seer. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the essence of god.htm

Whether those who See the Essence of God Comprehend Him?
... 147): "That is comprehended which is so seen as a whole, that nothing of it is hidden
from the seer." But if God is seen in His essence, He is seen whole, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who see the.htm

How Samuel Found a Leader
... As they were going up to the town, they met young women going out to draw water
and said to them, "Is the seer here?" They answered them, "He is there; he is ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how samuel found a leader.htm

Joseph, the Prime Minister
... Sayce proposes another explanation, also from the cuneiform tablets: 'There was
a word abrik in the Sumerian language, which signified a seer, and was borrowed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/joseph the prime minister.htm

A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... The savage surges. Then the seer begins. Words prompted by the Spirit of the Lord:
[1208]. 110 "Lo! ... Jonah the seer. The while is voyaging, in other craft. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/1 a strain of jonah.htm

Two Shepherds and Two Flocks
... and the latter, 'The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall be their Shepherd.'
The Old Testament Psalmist and the New Testament Seer have fallen upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/two shepherds and two flocks.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." In the books of Chronicles we have:
For the reign of David, "the book" (history) "of Samuel the seer, the book ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Old Judge and the Young King
... this same shall reign over My people.18. Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate,
and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.19. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the old judge and the.htm

The History Books
... 'Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the
book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iv the history books.htm

Seer (21 Occurrences)
... known. (see PROPHET.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A person who foresees
events; a prophet. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SEER. se ...
/s/seer.htm - 17k

Seer's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Seer's (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 9:18 Then Saul
drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, "Tell me, please ...
/s/seer's.htm - 6k

Iddo (14 Occurrences)
... (6) (ye`do (Kethibh ye`di), or `iddo, "decked," "adorned"): Seer (chozeh) and prophet
(nabhi), the Chronicler's "source" for the reign of Solomon (2 Chronicles ...
/i/iddo.htm - 14k

Prophet (315 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/p/prophet.htm - 49k

Seers (8 Occurrences)

/s/seers.htm - 9k

Segub (3 Occurrences)
... It appears from 1 Samuel 9:9 that "seer" (ro'-eh) was the older name for those who,
after the rise of the more regular orders, were called "prophets." It is ...
/s/segub.htm - 11k

Hanani (11 Occurrences)
... ha-na'-ni (chanani, "gracious"): (1) A musician and son of Heman, David's seer,
and head of one of the courses of the temple service (1 Chronicles 25:4, 25). ...
/h/hanani.htm - 12k

Records (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 29:29 Now all the acts of David, first and last, are recorded in the
words of Samuel the seer, and the words of Nathan the prophet, and the words ...
/r/records.htm - 21k

Directions (100 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 9:9 (In the past in Israel, when a man went to get directions from God,
he said, Come let us go to the Seer, for he who now is named Prophet was in ...
/d/directions.htm - 38k

Asaph (47 Occurrences)
... Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with
David as skilled in music, and a "seer" (2 Chronicles 29:30). ...
/a/asaph.htm - 24k

What was a seer in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Gad the seer? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Heman the Ezrahite in the Psalms? | GotQuestions.org

Seer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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