Term Prophet Explained

Prophet Explained 

• In the scriptures we read about the prophet in many places. 
• But not all of them prophesied the future.

For Example in 1 Chronicles 25:1-3 We can read as follows

1) Who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: 

2) Which prophesied according to the order of the king.

3) Who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

So, let us first see what prophecy is.

It has 4 words in the original Hebrew language.

1) Roe’h

2) Hoze’h

3) Navi 

4) Esh Elohim

Roe’h:

• Roe’h means “one who sees” (who looks).
• It has given as “Seer” in English. 
• The Lord will show his glory to them.
• Even if they don’t ask for it, God will show his glory at his will. 

1 Samuel 9:9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 

1 Chronicles 26:28 And all that Samuel the seer,(Roe’h) and Saul (Roe’h) the son of Kish, and Abner (Roe’h) the son of Ner, and Joab (Roe’h)the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

Hoze’h:

• Hoze’h means “Seer” (who sees).
• It has given as “Seer” in English.
• But this people pray to the God to show his glory to them. 
• They are the ones who sing and praises the Lord with musical instruments.
• It is also used in reference to musicians. 

2 Samuel 24:11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, (Hoze’h) saying,

Amos 7:12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer (Hoze’h) , go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

Navi:

• Navi means “those who prophesy about the future”.
• It has given as “Prophet” in English.
• In Arabic, it is called “Nabi”.
• The English word Prophet is the transliteration of a compound Greek word derived from Pro (before/toward) and Phesein (to tell).
• Prophet is someone who conveys messages from the divine to humans including occasionally foretelling future events. 
• A “navi ” declares prophecy through articulating the word of God to people. 

2 Samuel 12:25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan (Navi - Prophet) the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah (Navi - Prophet)  the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

Esh-Elohim:

• Esh-Elohim means “Man of God”.
• Esh Elohim” (man of God) refers to prophets like Moses, Elijah, and Elisha who do mighty works in the service of God.

1 Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God (a man of God - Esh Elohim) unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

1 Kings 13:14 And went after the man of God, (a man of God - Esh Elohim) and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am.

Table of Roe’h and Hoze’h differences:

Roe’h	Hoze’h
Seer’s	Seer’s
Look	See
"Look” means to direct your eyes in a particular direction.	“ See” means to notice or become aware of someone or something by using your eyes.
Looking Vision at God’s Will.	Seeing his Glory by praying and singing.

Table of Who are Roe’h, Hoze’h and Navi in the Old Testament 

Ro’eh	Hoze’h	Navi
Zadok - Prophet (2 sam 15:27)	Gad (2 sam 24:11, 1 chr 29:30)	Nathan (1 chr 29:30, 2 chr 9:29)
Samuel (1 chr 9:22,  (1 chr 26:28, 1 chr 29:30)	Sons of Heman (1 chr 25:4)
Saul (1 chr 26:28)	Iddo  (2 chr 9:29)
Abner (1 chr 26:28)	Jehu (2 chr 19:2)
Joab (1 chr 26:28)	Asaph (2 chr 29:30)
Hanani (2 chr 16:7)	Jeduthun (2 chr 35:15)

1 Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

• In the table above we see that the three men mentioned here, Asaph, Eman, and Jethun, are Hoze'h. 
• Therefore, they sing praises to the Lord and want to see Him. 
• They are not prophets. 
• Their songs were inspired or led by the Spirit of God. 
• It means thanks and praise. 
• The songs of these three are also included in the Book of Psalms.

Asaph	Jeduthun	Haman
Psa 50,73-83	Psa 88	Psa 39,62,77

Roe’h, Hoze’h and Navi are seen in the same verse.

1 Chronicles 29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer (Roe’h), and in the book of Nathan (Navi) the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer (Hoze’h).

1 samuel 19:

• In 1 samuel 19, We read Saul sent 3 messengers and the Spirit of God was upon them and they prophesied. 
• Finally Saul went, and he also prophesied. 
• Here, it doesn’t refer to fore-telling. 
• This tells that they have looked the glory of God.
• Because of the God’s Glory filled in them, they were blabbering something without their conscience. 
• That’s what mentioned here as prophecy. 
• This term refers to Roe’h. 
• Saul is the Roe’h which mentioned in the table above. 

There might be lot of confusion. Because all the four terms are given under one word “prophet”. So if we know the terms, it will help us to understand Bible.