Word meanings are vital. Effective communication depends on clear understanding. So, as we begin to study and explore the whole realm of God's Prophets, let's first define the word. We will look at both the Greek and Hebrew roots, and the modern dictionary definition. As we proceed through the ensuing weeks and explore various aspects of the prophetic, it will be important to have a clear picture and a solid foundation in our understanding of the word.

The Greek word for prophet, prophetes, is derived from two root words. The first root word is pro which can mean "before," but can also mean "for." The second root word is phemi which means to make known one's thoughts, to declare, or to speak. In ancient Greece, a prophet was an interpreter of oracles and "hidden" things.

One New Testament application of the word prophetes is that by divine inspiration, a prophet can speak about an event "before" it actually occurs. Another New Testament application is that a prophet is one who declares to men what he has received by inspiration from God - thus he is speaking "for" God or on God's behalf. In all cases, prophets deliver divinely inspired messages from God that relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation.

In Hebrew, the meaning of the word for prophet, nabiy, is less clear. Many scholars believe it simply means "a spokesman" or "one who speaks." The Old Testament word for prophesy is naba, and means "to flow forth."

Webster supplies four definitions for the word prophet. a) One who utters divinely inspired revelations, often referring specifically to one of the writers of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. b) One who is gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight, especially a poet. c) One who foretells future events or a predictor. d) An effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group.

Last week we looked at Isaiah's many burdens. In one case, Isaiah actually "saw" God's burden for Babylon (Isaiah 13:1 KJV). Modern worldy poets, bards, and spokesmen often write or speak out regarding something they "see," or at least think they "see." Among others, common American themes include burdens of oppression, poverty, injustice, anti-war, anti-nuke, feminism, animal rights, and environmentalism. These self-appointed and self-directed "prophets" promote either their own cause and view or the cause and view of some larger body they represent. Their messages are often laced with predictions of future revolution, class warfare, man-made calamity, or in the case of the environment, natural calamity. Such "prophets," for good or for evil, are culture-shapers.

Of course God's spokesmen sometimes speak out about oppression, poverty, and injustice, and touch on many of the same themes that worldly "prophets" speak about (eg: Isaiah 58). But in contrast, God's prophets do not speak unless God has first spoken to them. To speak for God with clarity and accuracy, one must possess the ability to hear and understand the thoughts of God - to "see" God's burden. The clearest example of a prophet both hearing and speaking for God is found in the Pentateuch. Moses, the lawgiver, communed with God on the mountain for days on end. During his time in God's presence, Moses received not only the Ten Commandments but also God's instructions for the tabernacle and many lesser laws. Moses spoke with authority and commanded great respect among God's people. His prophetic ministry guided, directed, and shaped not only Israel's culture, but the culture of the entire western world.

When God called upon Moses to speak for Him, Moses complained that he was slow of speech, unable to communicate effectively. God relented and assigned Aaron, Moses' brother, to be Moses' spokesman (Exodus 6:28 - 7:1). Aaron then, as Moses' spokesman, carried Moses' burden, which was in essence God's burden, to the people. We will be looking more carefully at this concept in Week 27 - Officially Speaking.

As we ponder both the Greek and Hebrew definitions of the word prophet, we are left with a broad-sweep of possibilities. Are God's prophets only those who speak by divine inspiration, in advance, of things to come? Is a prophet always one who speaks for another? Is the act of speaking simply prophetic in and of itself? If an evangelist stands in a pulpit or on a street corner and "flows forth" with God's Word, is His message prophetic in nature? If God speaks to us directly without a prophet, is His Word prophetic? Is all of God's written Word prophetic? Or are just parts of it prophetic?

Such questions leave us much to think about. Have you ever considered some of these questions? We will be exploring them in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, what do you think?

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Over the next two weeks we will be looking more closely at God's Prophets in the Scriptures. Next week's article will examine Old Testament Prophets.