Prophet (Nabi)
נָבִיא (nabi)
A spokesperson for God — called to declare His word to the people.
Nabi is the Hebrew word for prophet, meaning one who is called to speak on God's behalf. Prophets served as God's mouthpieces, delivering His messages of warning, comfort, judgment, and hope to Israel and the nations.
"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth." — Deuteronomy 18:18 (KJV)
Key Verses
Deuteronomy 18:18
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth.”Read in context
Amos 3:7
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”Read in context
Hebrews 1:1-2
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H5030 — Prophet (Nabi) (נָבִיא (nabi))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where נָבִיא (nabi) appears.
Open Strong's H5030Etymology and Original Meaning
Nabi likely derives from a root meaning 'to call' or 'to announce.' A prophet is literally 'one who is called' or 'one who announces.' God told Moses that Aaron would be his nabi — his spokesperson (Exodus 7:1). The prophet does not speak their own ideas but delivers the word God has placed in their mouth (Deuteronomy 18:18).
The Prophetic Office
Prophets served multiple functions: they confronted kings (Nathan before David, Elijah before Ahab), warned of judgment (Jeremiah), comforted the afflicted (Isaiah 40), predicted the future (Daniel), and called for repentance (Joel). They stood between God and the people as courageous intermediaries, often suffering rejection, imprisonment, and death for their faithfulness.
True and False Prophets
Scripture warns of false prophets who speak pleasant lies (Jeremiah 23:16-17; Ezekiel 13). The test of a true prophet: their words come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22), they point to God (Deuteronomy 13:1-3), and their message aligns with revealed truth. Jesus warned that false prophets would come in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15), making discernment essential.
Christ the Ultimate Prophet
Moses prophesied that God would raise up a prophet 'like unto me' (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus is that Prophet — the ultimate spokesperson for God. 'God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son' (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus is not merely one prophet among many but the final, definitive Word of God — the Prophet who is Himself the message.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prophet in the Bible?
A prophet (nabi) is one called to speak on God's behalf — delivering His messages of warning, judgment, comfort, and hope. Prophets served as God's mouthpieces to His people.
Are there prophets today?
Christians hold different views. Some believe the prophetic gift continues; others believe it was confined to the biblical era. All agree that any prophetic claim must be tested against Scripture and that Christ is God's final, authoritative Word (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Does the word "Prophet (Nabi)" appear in both the Old and New Testaments?
Yes, "Prophet (Nabi)" appears in both Testaments, bridging the Hebrew Scriptures and the Greek New Testament. In the Old Testament it is rooted in the Hebrew text, while in the New Testament the concept carries forward through Greek equivalents. This continuity shows how God's revelation builds consistently across the entire Bible.
Related Words
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Prophet (Nabi) (נָבִיא (nabi))
A spokesperson for God — called to declare His word to the people.
Strong's H5030 — Prophet (Nabi)
נָבִיא (nabi) • A spokesperson for God — called to declare His word to the people.
Prophet (נָבִיא (Nabi) / προφήτης (Prophētēs))
One called by God to speak His message to the people
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