Original Word: נָבִיא
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: nabiy'
Pronunciation: nah-BEE
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-bee')
KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet
NASB: prophet, prophets, prophecy, prophesy
Word Origin: [from H5012 (נָבָא - prophesy)]

1. a prophet
2. (generally) inspired man

prophecy, that prophesy, prophet

From naba'; a prophet or (generally) inspired man -- prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.

see HEBREW naba'

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a spokesman, speaker, prophet
NASB Translation
prophecy (1), prophesy (1), prophet (165), prophets (147).

נָבִיא₃₀₆ noun masculine spokesman, speaker, prophet — ׳נ Genesis 20:7 155t.; suffix נְבִיאֶ֑ךָ Exodus 7:1; plural נְבִיאִים Numbers 11:29 82t.; נְנִאִים Jeremiah 27:18 16t.; suffix נְבִיאַי Psalm 105:15; נְבִיָאו 1 Kings 22:22; נְבִיאָו֯ 2 Kings 17:13, etc.; —

1 genuine prophet of ׳י, נביא, anciently called רֹאֶה, 1 Samuel 9:9 (antiquarian note); change probably occurred in times of Elijah and is first reflected in Ehpraimitic source literally as applied to Abraham Genesis 20:7; Moses Deuteronomy 34:10, M. and other early prophets. Hosea 6:5; Hosea 12:11 (twice in verse); Hosea 12:14 (twice in verse); Amos 2:11,12; of prophets in ecstatic state Numbers 12:6 (E), Numbers 11:24 (JE). So in Judaic literature, of prophet like Moses Deuteronomy 18:15,18 (D), of Aaron (as mouthpiece of Moses) Exodus 7:1 (P), of Samuel 1 Samuel 3:20, an unknown Judges 6:8; in time of Samuel prophets were organized in bands: חֶבֶל נביאים 1 Samuel 10:5, 10:10; ׳להקת הנ 1 Samuel 19:20; and in time of Elijah were בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים = members of prophets' guilds 1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:3,5,7,15; 2 Kings 4:1,38 (twice in verse); נָבִיא of Genuine prophets (besides phrases), in Judaic prophets, only Jeremiah, Jeremiah 1:5; Ezekiel, Ezekiel 2:5 = Ezekiel 33:33; of ancient prophets Jeremiah 28:8,9 (3 t. in verse); Zechariah 1:6; Zechariah 8:9; especially הנביאים הראשׁנים Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 7:7,12, compare הנביאים עבדי(וׅ my (his) servants the prophets 2 Kings 9:7; 2 Kings 17:13,23; 2 Kings 21:10; 2 Kings 24:2 (all R^D) Ezra 9:11; Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4; Jeremiah 26:5; Jeremiah 29:19; Jeremiah 35:15; Jeremiah 44:4; Amos 3:7; Zechariah 1:6, compare Ezekiel 38:17; Daniel 9:6; ׳עבדוֺ הַנּ his servant the prophet 1 Kings 14:18; 2 Kings 14:25; הַנָּבִיא with proper name: Jerome, 2Chronicles 36:12; Daniel 9:2 31t. Jeremiah (but ᵐ5 only 4 t., the rest probably redactional, see Gie^{Jer. xxvii}); Elijah 1 Kings 18:36 (om ᵐ5), 2 Chronicles 21:12; Malachi 3:23; Nathan 2 Samuel 7:2 10t. Samuel and Kings; 4 t. Chronicles; Psalm 51:2 (title); Isaiah, 2 Kings 19:2; 2 Kings 20:1,14 = Isaiah 37:2; Isaiah 38:1; Isaiah 39:1; 2 Kings 20:11; 2Chronicles 26:22; 32:20,32; Habakkuk Habakkuk 1:1; Habakkuk 3:1 (titles); Haggai, Haggai 1:1,3,12; Haggai 2:1,10; Zechariah, Zechariah 1:1,7 (titles); elsewhere several others in Samuel, Kings and Chronicles 15 t.; נביא is used elsewhere of Genuine prophecy only 1 Samuel 9:9 34t. Samuel and Kings; 1 Chronicles 16:22 = Psalm 105:15, + 13 t. Chronicles; Psalm 74:9 complains of absence of ׳נ; לַחְתֹּם חָזוֺן וְנָבִיא Daniel 9:24 see חתם

2 false prophets: prophets as official class, beside priests, character as false prophets: Isaiah 28:7; Jeremiah 2:26; Jeremiah 4:9; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:1,10; Jeremiah 13:13; Jeremiah 14:18; Jeremiah 18:18; Jeremiah 23:11,33,34; Jeremiah 26:7,8,11,16; Jeremiah 32:32; Zechariah 7:3, app. also 2 Kings 23:2; Nehemiah 9:32; Lamentations 2:20; Jeremiah 29:1; Ezekiel 7:26 (in these not characterized); always false (except of ancient and special prophets given above) in Amos 7:14; Hosea 4:5; Hosea 9:7,8; Micah 3:5,6,11; Isaiah 3:2; Isaiah 9:14; Isaiah 29:10; Jeremiah 2:8,30; Jeremiah 5:13,31; Jeremiah 14:13,14,15 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 23:9 16t. Jeremiah 27:9,14,15,16,18; Jeremiah 29:8,15; Jeremiah 37:19; Ezekiel 13:2 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 13:3,4,9,16; Ezekiel 14:4,7,9 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 14:10; Ezekiel 22:25,28; Zephaniah 3:4; Lamentations 2:9,14; Lamentations 4:13; especially discredited Deuteronomy 13:2; Deuteronomy 13:4; Deuteronomy 13:6; Deuteronomy 18:20 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 18:22 (twice in verse); Zechariah 13:2,4,5; such a prophet Hananiah called הַנָּבִיא Jeremiah 28:1,5,10,12,15,17 ( ᵐ5 omits in all but Jeremiah 28:1, where ψευδοπροφήτης). Usage of prophets themselves gives such a bad flavour to נביא, that we are not surprised that it is absent from exilic Isaiah, the Wisdom Literature, and Psalms (except for special reasons in 3 Psalms given under 1).

3 heathen prophets 1 Kings 18:20; 1 Kings 19:1; 2 Kings 3:13 (twice in verse); נביאי האשׁדה 1 Kings 18:19; נביאי הבעל 1 Kings 18:19,22,25,40; 2 Kings 10:19; 1 Kings 22:6,10,12,13,22,23 2Chron 18:5; 18:9; 18:11; 18:12; 18:21; 18:22.

Essential Identity

The נָבִיא (navi, “prophet”) is God’s authorized spokesman, one who “stood in the council of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:18) and then declared His word with divine authority. The term is applied to individuals from Abraham (Genesis 20:7) to Malachi (Malachi 1:1), encompassing men and, at times, women (Exodus 15:20; 2 Kings 22:14). Approximately three hundred sixteen occurrences underscore the centrality of prophetic ministry in the life of Israel.

Divine Initiation and Call

Prophetic ministry originates in God’s sovereign choice, not human aspiration. The LORD says to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). Similar divine summoning is recorded for Moses (Exodus 3:10-12), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10-21), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-9), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:1-7), and Amos (Amos 7:14-15). The prophet’s authority derives entirely from the God who sends him.

Primary Functions

1. Proclamation of Revelation: “Thus says the LORD” introduces oracles that reveal God’s character, covenant stipulations, and redemptive purposes (Exodus 4:22-23; Hosea 11:1-9).
2. Covenant Enforcement: Prophets prosecute Israel for breach of covenant and call for repentance (Deuteronomy 28; 2 Kings 17:13; Hosea 4:1-3).
3. Prediction: Foretelling ranges from immediate judgments (1 Kings 21:17-19) to distant messianic prophecies (Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 12:10).
4. Intercession: Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Amos plead for mercy (Exodus 32:11-14; 1 Samuel 12:23; 1 Kings 18:37; Amos 7:2-6).
5. Instruction and Edification: Prophets often teach publicly (2 Kings 17:13) and privately (2 Samuel 12:1-15), shaping national conscience and personal holiness.

Historical Development of the Prophetic Office

• Patriarchal Period: Isolated appearances (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph) emphasize dreams and visionary guidance (Genesis 20:7; 37:5-11).
• Mosaic Era: Moses, “whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10), functions as paradigmatic prophet.
• United Monarchy: Prophets such as Samuel, Nathan, Gad, and Ahijah counsel kings, ensuring theocratic oversight (1 Samuel 15:10-23; 2 Samuel 12:1-14).
• Divided Kingdoms: Flourishing of prophetic activity—Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Isaiah, Hosea, Amos—address idolatry and social injustice.
• Exilic and Post-Exilic: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi sustain faith and project eschatological hope.

Relationship to Priests and Kings

Prophets function independently of both palace and temple. While priests mediate cultic worship and kings administer civil authority, prophets stand as covenant prosecutors who may rebuke both offices (1 Kings 13:1-10; 2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Their message, not institutional position, grants legitimacy.

True versus False Prophets

Discernment is vital. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:20-22 set criteria: fidelity to revealed doctrine and fulfillment of predictions. False prophets often promise peace apart from repentance (Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 13:10). Micaiah son of Imlah distinguishes truth amid four hundred court prophets (1 Kings 22:13-28).

Modes of Revelation

• Auditory (“The word of the LORD came…”)
• Visionary (Isaiah 1:1; Amos 1:1)
• Dreams (Numbers 12:6)
• Symbolic Actions (Isaiah 20:2-4; Jeremiah 27:2-11; Ezekiel 4:1-15)

Prophets and the Holy Spirit

Prophetic speech is Spirit-impelled: “The Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and He told me, ‘You are to say…’” (Ezekiel 11:5). Peter later affirms, “No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own will, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

Messianic Testimony

A unifying theme is anticipation of the Messiah. Moses foretells “a Prophet like me” (Deuteronomy 18:15), later identified with Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22-26). Isaiah details the Servant’s redemptive suffering (Isaiah 53:4-6), Micah pinpoints Bethlehem for Messiah’s birth (Micah 5:2), and Zechariah depicts the pierced shepherd (Zechariah 12:10).

Suffering and Opposition

Prophets frequently endure rejection (1 Kings 19:10), imprisonment (Jeremiah 37:15-16), or martyrdom (Jeremiah 26:20-23; Hebrews 11:37). Their experiences foreshadow the ultimate Prophet who was despised and slain (Isaiah 53:3-8; Luke 24:19-20).

Prophetic Community

Occasionally prophets form guilds or “sons of the prophets” (2 Kings 2:3-7), providing mutual support and training. Yet each remains personally accountable to God.

Continuing Relevance

The canon of Old Testament prophets culminates in Jesus Christ, who embodies and fulfills all prophetic revelation (Matthew 5:17). Their writings remain “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), instructing, reproving, and equipping believers. The New Testament echoes their authority, citing them over two hundred fifty times and affirming the unity of both Testaments in God’s redemptive plan.

Key Theological Themes

• Holiness of God
• Sin and Judgment
• Covenant Faithfulness
• Redemption and Restoration
• Eschatological Hope

In every age the נָבִיא stands as a watchman (Ezekiel 33:7), heralding the certainty of God’s word, calling nations to repentance, and pointing to the consummation of His kingdom.

בִּנְבִאָ֑יו בִנְבִיאָ֖יו בַּנְּבִאִֽים׃ בַּנְּבִיאִ֔ים בַּנְּבִיאִֽים׃ בַּנְּבִיאִֽם׃ בנבאיו בנבאים׃ בנביאיו בנביאים בנביאים׃ בנביאם׃ הַ֠נְּבִיאִים הַ֨נְּבִאִ֔ים הַ֨נְּבִיאִ֔ים הַֽנִּבְּאִ֛ים הַנְּבִאִ֔ים הַנְּבִאִ֖ים הַנְּבִאִ֗ים הַנְּבִאִ֛ים הַנְּבִאִ֜ים הַנְּבִאִ֞ים הַנְּבִאִ֣ים ׀ הַנְּבִאִים֙ הַנְּבִאִים֮ הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים הַנְּבִיאִ֖ם הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים הַנְּבִיאִ֞ים הַנְּבִיאִ֣ים הַנְּבִיאִ֤ים הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים הַנְּבִיאִ֨ים הַנְּבִיאִֽים׃ הַנְּבִיאִים֙ הַנְּבִיאִים֮ הַנְּבִיאִם֙ הַנָּבִ֑יא הַנָּבִ֔יא הַנָּבִ֕יא הַנָּבִ֖יא הַנָּבִ֗יא הַנָּבִ֛יא הַנָּבִ֜יא הַנָּבִ֞יא הַנָּבִ֡יא הַנָּבִ֣יא הַנָּבִ֤יא הַנָּבִ֥יא הַנָּבִ֨יא הַנָּבִֽיא׃ הַנָּבִיא֒ הַנָּבִיא֙ הַנָּבִיא֮ הנבאים הנביא הנביא׃ הנביאים הנביאים׃ הנביאם וְ֝לִנְבִיאַי וְהַ֨נְּבִאִ֔ים וְהַנְּבִאִ֖ים וְהַנְּבִאִ֛ים וְהַנְּבִאִים֙ וְהַנְּבִיאִ֔ים וְהַנְּבִיאִ֖ים וְהַנְּבִיאִים֙ וְהַנָּבִ֣יא וְהַנָּבִ֤יא וְלִנְבִיאֵ֥נוּ וְנָבִ֔יא וְנָבִ֖יא וְנָבִ֤יא וְנָבִ֥יא וְנָבִֽיא׃ וְנָבִיא֩ וּבְנָבִ֕יא וּבְנָבִ֖יא וּבִנְבִאֵ֨י וּבִנְבִיאֵ֥י וּבִנְבִיאַ֖י וּמִנָּבִיא֙ וּנְבִֽיאֵיהֶ֑ם וּנְבִיאֵ֖י וּנְבִיאֵ֣י וּנְבִיאֵ֤י וּנְבִיאֵיהֶֽם׃ וּנְבִיאֶ֖יהָ וּנְבִיאֶ֗יהָ ובנבאי ובנביא ובנביאי והנבאים והנביא והנביאים ולנביאי ולנביאנו ומנביא ונביא ונביא׃ ונביאי ונביאיה ונביאיהם ונביאיהם׃ לְנָבִ֖יא לִנְבִיאִ֔ים לִנְבִיאֵ֣י לַנְּבִאִ֞ים לַנָּבִ֖יא לַנָּבִיא֙ לנבאים לנביא לנביאי לנביאים מִנְּבִיאֵ֨י מִנָּבִ֑יא מִנָּבִ֔יא מִנָּבִיא֙ מֵֽהַנְּבִאִ֖ים מהנבאים מנביא מנביאי נְבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם נְבִ֣יאֵיכֶ֔ם נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֖ם נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֗ם נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֥ם נְבִאִ֔ים נְבִאִ֖ים נְבִאִ֗ים נְבִאִ֣ים נְבִיאִ֔ים נְבִיאִ֡ים נְבִיאִים֙ נְבִיאֵ֖י נְבִיאֵ֣י נְבִיאֵ֥י נְבִיאֵ֨י נְבִיאֵיכֶ֜ם נְבִיאֶ֔יהָ נְבִיאֶ֕יהָ נְבִיאֶ֖יךָ נְבִיאֶ֙יהָ֙ נְבִיאֶ֣יךָ נְבִיאֶ֥יךָ נְבִיאֶֽךָ׃ נְבִיאַ֗יִךְ נְבִיאָ֑יו נְבִיאָֽיו׃ נָבִ֑יא נָבִ֔יא נָבִ֖יא נָבִ֛יא נָבִ֞יא נָבִ֣יא נָבִ֥יא נָבִ֧יא נָבִ֨יא נָבִיא֙ נָבִיא֮ נבאים נביא נביאי נביאיה נביאיו נביאיו׃ נביאיך נביאיכם נביאים נביאך׃ נביאכם ban·nə·ḇi·’îm ban·nə·ḇî·’im ban·nə·ḇî·’îm bannəḇi’îm bannəḇî’im bannəḇî’îm banneviIm bin·ḇi·’āw ḇin·ḇî·’āw binḇi’āw ḇinḇî’āw binviAv han·nā·ḇî han·nə·ḇi·’îm han·nə·ḇî·’im han·nə·ḇî·’îm han·nib·bə·’îm hannāḇî hannaVi hannəḇi’îm hannəḇî’im hannəḇî’îm hanneviIm hannibbə’îm hannibbeIm lan·nā·ḇî lan·nə·ḇi·’îm lannāḇî lannaVi lannəḇi’îm lanneviIm lə·nā·ḇî lənāḇî lenaVi lin·ḇî·’ê lin·ḇî·’îm linḇî’ê linḇî’îm linviEi linviIm mê·han·nə·ḇi·’îm mêhannəḇi’îm mehanneviIm min·nā·ḇî min·nə·ḇî·’ê minnāḇî minnaVi minnəḇî’ê minneviEi nā·ḇî nāḇî naVi nə·ḇî·’ă·ḵem nə·ḇî·’a·yiḵ nə·ḇî·’āw nə·ḇî·’ê nə·ḇî·’e·hā nə·ḇî·’e·ḵā nə·ḇî·’ê·ḵem nə·ḇi·’îm nə·ḇî·’îm nəḇî’ăḵem nəḇî’āw nəḇî’ayiḵ nəḇî’ê nəḇî’ehā nəḇî’eḵā nəḇî’êḵem nəḇi’îm nəḇî’îm neViaChem neviAv neviAyich neviEcha neviEi neviEicha nevieiChem neviEiha neviIm ū·ḇə·nā·ḇî ū·ḇin·ḇî·’ay ū·ḇin·ḇi·’ê ū·ḇin·ḇî·’ê ū·min·nā·ḇî ū·nə·ḇî·’ê ū·nə·ḇî·’e·hā ū·nə·ḇî·’ê·hem ūḇənāḇî ūḇinḇî’ay ūḇinḇi’ê ūḇinḇî’ê ūminnāḇî uminnaVi ūnəḇî’ê ūnəḇî’ehā ūnəḇî’êhem uneviEi uneviEiha unevieiHem uvenaVi uvinviAi uvinviEi vehannaVi vehanneviIm Velinviai velinviEnu venaVi vinviAv wə·han·nā·ḇî wə·han·nə·ḇi·’îm wə·han·nə·ḇî·’îm wə·lin·ḇî·’ay wə·lin·ḇî·’ê·nū wə·nā·ḇî wəhannāḇî wəhannəḇi’îm wəhannəḇî’îm wəlinḇî’ay wəlinḇî’ênū wənāḇîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts