The Hebrew verb naam means to utter a prophetic oracle or declaration. The noun form neum (H5002) means 'utterance' or 'declaration,' used hundreds of times in the phrase neum YHWH — 'declares the LORD' or 'oracle of the LORD.' This verb form is rare but foundational to the prophetic formula.
The phrase neum YHWH — 'declares the LORD' or 'oracle of the LORD' — appears over 360 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the prophetic books. It is the divine stamp of authority on prophetic speech, often appearing at the end of an oracle to confirm its divine origin. This formula distinguishes true prophecy from human speculation: these are not the prophet's words but God's own utterance. The prophetic naam reveals a God who speaks into human history with authority and purpose.