Topical Bible: Prophets were Called: Seers

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In the biblical context, the term "seer" is an ancient designation for a prophet, one who is endowed with the ability to perceive divine revelations and communicate God's messages to His people. The term is primarily found in the Old Testament and is synonymous with the role of a prophet, though it emphasizes the visionary aspect of the prophetic office.

The Hebrew word for "seer" is "ro'eh," which is derived from the verb "ra'ah," meaning "to see." This term highlights the seer's role in receiving visions or insights from God. Another related Hebrew term is "chozeh," which also means "seer" and is used interchangeably with "ro'eh."

One of the earliest references to a seer in the Bible is found in 1 Samuel 9:9, which provides a historical note on the terminology: "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" . This passage indicates that the term "seer" was the original designation for those who held the prophetic office before the term "prophet" became more prevalent.

Samuel, one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament, is often referred to as a seer. In 1 Samuel 9:19, Samuel himself acknowledges this role when he says to Saul, "I am the seer" . Samuel's role as a seer was crucial in guiding Israel during a transitional period from the time of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy.

The role of a seer was not limited to foretelling future events but also included providing guidance, wisdom, and insight into God's will. Seers were instrumental in advising kings and leaders, as seen in the relationship between the prophet Nathan and King David. Nathan, referred to as a prophet, acted in the capacity of a seer by delivering God's messages and providing counsel to the king (2 Samuel 7:2-17).

In 1 Chronicles 29:29, the chronicler mentions "Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer," indicating that both terms were used to describe those who received divine revelations. This highlights the continuity and overlap between the roles of seers and prophets in Israel's history.

The distinction between a seer and a prophet is subtle and often contextual. While all seers are prophets, not all prophets are explicitly called seers. The emphasis on "seeing" in the term "seer" underscores the visionary experiences that were a significant aspect of their ministry. These visions could include dreams, symbolic imagery, or direct encounters with the divine presence.

The role of the seer, as with prophets, was to call the people of Israel back to faithfulness to God, to warn them of impending judgment, and to offer hope for redemption and restoration. The seer's ability to "see" was not merely a natural talent but a spiritual gift bestowed by God for the edification and guidance of His people.

In summary, the term "seer" in the Bible refers to a prophet with a particular emphasis on receiving and interpreting divine visions. This role was vital in the spiritual and political life of Israel, providing insight and direction from God to His chosen leaders and the nation as a whole.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 9:9
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge?
... first and chiefly consists in knowledge, because, to wit, prophets know things ... vii,
8), "in the Old Testament, they were called Seers, because they saw what ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether prophecy pertains to knowledge.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... born the Child, and His name was called Wonder ... Shamed is that people which holds
the prophets as true ... fulfilled the true seers' words, which were accomplished in ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... For this reason too the prophets were called seers, [1432] because they saw
Him whom others did not see. Abraham saw His day and was glad. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... ancient Israel so that they became seers and prophets ... as the greatest of the later
prophets declares (Isaiah ... favors, but rather that they were called to service ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/iv the place of the.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... Sometimes, possibly, they called it The Psalms, because the book of ... writings of various
sorts, composed by prophets and seers ... Why were they suffered to perish? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

Psalm LXXXIX.
... Thou didst reveal this to Thy Prophets. For this reason Thou spakest in vision,
that is, in revelation: whence Prophets were called seers. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxix.htm

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... great religious truths and realities, God inspired prophets and seers, but the ... poets,
painters, litterateurs, artists, and artificers were called for, by ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... Manasseh in part, "the sayings of the seers," or, as ... apparently, most of those whom
God called to be ... days of Samuel and onward the prophets were recognized as ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... Wherefore prophets were with good reason called from the very first "seers." [1406]
And hence we, too, who are rightly instructed in what was declared ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... Traditionally has interpreted. The inner temple of the people called. ... Which, we are
taught, were after done. ... Thus therefore Law and wondrous prophets sang; ...
/.../book iv of marcions antitheses.htm