נָבִיא

From the study of Psalm 105:15

Range of meaning

A spokesperson for God, one who is called and who speaks God's words. A prophet also intercedes, standing between God and others in prayer. Later the word is used for the classical prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and others).

Against the English

English 'prophet' tends to mean someone who predicts the future or holds a prophetic office in a church. Applied to Abraham, it means a person in a close relationship with God whose prayers God hears.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 20:7: 'Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet (nābîʾ), and he will pray for you and you will live.' This is spoken to Abimelech, the king who was 'rebuked' (Psalm 105:14). It is the first time the word appears in the Bible.

From the study of Amos 3:7

Range of meaning

A spokesperson for a god, probably 'one who is called' (compare Akkadian nabû, 'to call/name'). Exodus 7:1 shows the idea: Aaron will be Moses' navi, his mouthpiece.

Against the English

'Prophet' is the standard and correct word, but modern use leans toward 'predictor'. A navi mainly delivered God's verdict and summons about the present, and that often included what was coming.

How it drifted

Through Greek prophētēs ('one who speaks out/for'), English 'prophet' gradually narrowed toward forecasting.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mari letters (18th c. BCE) and Assyrian prophecies report messengers passing on a deity's word to the king. Deut 18:18: 'I will put my words in his mouth.'

From the study of 2 Chronicles 20:20

Range of meaning

A prophet: someone called to speak on God's behalf, a messenger or spokesman (see Exodus 7:1, where Aaron is Moses' navi', his spokesman). In Chronicles the word covers a range of figures, including seers, court prophets and Levitical singers who "prophesy" (1 Chronicles 25:1–3). Their main role in Chronicles is to bring a word from God at decisive moments in the king's reign.

Against the English

"Prophets" is accurate. The risk is in what modern readers picture: mainly a predictor of the future, or a present-day minister who claims prophetic authority. In the Chronicler's world a navi' was above all a bearer of Yahweh's word, judged by whether that word came from Yahweh and came true (Deuteronomy 18:21–22).

Used elsewhere in the period

In Chronicles prophets speak to nearly every king (e.g., Shemaiah, 2 Chronicles 12:5; Azariah, 15:1–7; Hanani, 16:7; Jehu son of Hanani, 19:2; Micaiah, 18). 2 Chronicles 36:15–16 says the exile came because the people "mocked his messengers… and scoffed at his prophets."