📖 Biblical Definition
Nabi (נָבִיא) is the Hebrew word for prophet. The nabi is YHWH’s spokesman — one who declares God’s word to the people, often calling them back from idolatry to covenant faithfulness, denouncing sin, comforting the wounded, and announcing the LORD’s deeds. Abraham is the first man called nabi in Scripture (Genesis 20:7); Moses is the prophet against whom all others are measured (Deuteronomy 18:15-18); the prophetic line runs through Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the rest. Christ is the prophet "like unto Moses" (Acts 3:22-23). At Pentecost, Joel’s prophecy is fulfilled: the Spirit pours out the prophetic gift on all flesh (Acts 2:17-18). Every Spirit-filled saint is now a witness-prophet to Christ.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Hebrew "prophet" — YHWH's spokesman.
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The Hebrew word for prophet. The nabi stands as YHWH's mouth — declaring His word, often confronting kings and nations, calling Israel back to covenant. Distinct from foreign diviners (the roeh [seer] is the older term; nabi is the standard from Samuel onward). Christ is the prophet like Moses; Pentecost democratizes the prophetic Spirit ("sons and daughters shall prophesy," Joel 2:28).
📖 Key Scripture
Deuteronomy 18:15 — "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."
Amos 3:7 — "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
Joel 2:28 — "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Two errors: (1) prophets reduced to fortune-tellers; (2) the prophetic gift dismissed as ceased entirely.
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Prophets aren't fortune-tellers. The biblical prophet's primary work is forth-telling (declaring God's word) more than fore-telling (predicting). Amos and Hosea spoke mostly to their own day. The prediction-element exists but is secondary.
And while the foundational apostolic-prophetic office is past (Eph 2:20), the broader prophetic Spirit poured out at Pentecost continues. Sons and daughters still prophesy — bring God's word to bear on their day.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew nabi.
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['Hebrew', 'H5030', 'nabi', 'prophet, spokesman']
['Hebrew', 'H7203', 'roeh', 'seer']
Usage
"Nabi is forth-telling, not just fore-telling."
"Christ is the Prophet like Moses."
"Pentecost democratized the prophetic Spirit."