The Hebrew verb naba means to prophesy, to speak under divine inspiration, to act as a prophet. It describes both the reception and declaration of divine messages. The form often used is the Hithpael (reflexive/intensive), suggesting the prophet entering into a state of being, not merely performing a function.
Prophecy in Israel was radically different from Near Eastern divination. The nabi (prophet) did not manipulate divine powers but was seized by the Spirit of God (Numbers 11:25-29; Ezekiel 2:2). Moses desired that 'all the LORD's people were prophets' (Numbers 11:29) — a vision fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18). The prophets' message was covenant-centered: call to repentance, announcement of judgment, promise of restoration. False prophets also naba (Jeremiah 23:25) — the test being alignment with the Word of God and fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:22). The New Testament preserves prophecy as a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1-5).