Deep Dive into An Old Testament Theology by Bruce K. Waltke - The Gift of Prophecy, Part 1: The Prophets

Both rōʾeh ("seer") and nābîʾ ("prophet") were figures who communicated divine messages in ancient Israel, but the terms are associated with different historical periods. The term rōʾeh was primarily used prior to the time of Samuel and emphasized the aspect of clairvoyance and being an observer of the divine realm.With the establishment of the monarchy, the term nābîʾ ("prophet") became more prevalent, effectively replacing rōʾeh. The role of the nābîʾ shifted the focus to being God's direct spokesperson, interpreting and declaring His will to the people, even to the king. The nābîʾ was seen as God's human mouth, receiving messages through dreams, visions, or auditions and transmitting them.The change in terminology from rōʾeh to nābîʾ reflects a bifurcation of divine leadership during the monarchy, where God communicated through both the king and the prophet. While the rōʾeh's role highlighted a more passive reception of divine insight, the nābîʾ's role emphasized an active communication and interpretation of God's will, holding even the monarch accountable. Ultimately, both figures served as crucial intermediaries between the divine and the human realm, conveying God's messages to His people.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed