Prophet

Etymology: A prophet is a person who channels divine revelations and messages from and to a deity. The term "prophet" comes from the Greek word prophetes (pronounced prophaytays) which means "one who speaks for another," as in for a God. In Hebrew the word prophet translates into nabi, which means "one called by God," or "one speaking for God." (Americana 663)

Definition: A prophet is a person who has been chosen by Yahweh, to speak for Yahweh and lead his people in the direction that he wants them to go. Normally a prophet will be contacted in a dream or divine appearance (Theophany). "Word of the LORD...visions are means of prophetic revelation" (Coogan 404) As in the biblical narrative of Moses, Yahweh spoke to him as a burning bush telling him to go into Egypt and free his people from Pharaohs hand. Since Pharaohs heart was hard, God spoke to Moses telling him to curse the land and its people until the Egyptian people let the Israelites go. Moses having been one of the greatest prophets in the biblical narrative led Yahweh's people out of Israel taking them across the "sea of reeds" to Mount Sinai. He then eventually led Yahweh's people to their promise land. A prophet is one who carries out the word of God whether it is something great or devastatingly horrific. "His message usually includes criticism of the existing society, exhortation to reform, and prediction of a catastrophe followed by the coming of a messiah-savior and a glorious new day" (Americana 664).

Not only physically doing the work of God, prophets were also preachers and priests who spread the word of the lord. "The Hebrews shared the Middle Eastern prophetic tradition but regarded their prophets as preachers of Gods covenant with his chosen people" (Americana 664). One such prophet was Elijah who challenged the Baal priests to a contest at the summit of Mount Carmel because Ahab and Jezebel had let their people worship Baal. "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21).Elijah wanted to prove that Baal was not the all powerful deity but the LORD was. He had them go first so that they could take the best calf and wood to create their sacrifice. When the burnt offerings did not ignite Elijah proceeded to create his own sacrifice to the LORD. He took the second calf and wood and created his burnt offering and then he spilled water over it. Though his burnt offering was soaked in water it ignited into a ball of flame. He then killed the Baal priests and brought Yahweh back into the hearts of its people. A prophet not only speaks the word of God but proves his existence through incredible acts.

Quotations:
"But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; they said "No! But we are determined to have a king over us, so that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles." When Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD. The lord said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and set a king over them"" (1 Samuel 8:19-22).

"When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take for yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD"" (Hosea 1:2).

Bibliography

"Prophet and Prophecy." Encyclopedia Americana.. International Edition. 1829.

The new Oxford annotated Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for naba' (Strong's 5012)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 21 Apr 2009. strongs=H5012 >