Prophet

4394 PROPHETEIA (19): the words of a spokesman (prophecy). Translated "message from" God or "speaking from" God, depending upon whether the text relates to the message or to the spokesman. MESSAGE FROM GOD (11) Mt.13.14. 1Th.5.20. 1Ti.1.18; 4.14. Rev.1.3; 22.7,10,18,19. SPEAKING FROM GOD (8) Rom.12.6. 1Co.12.10; 13.2,8; 14.6,22. 2Pe.1.20,21. Rev.11.6; 19.10.

4396 PROPHETES (144): pro = before (in front of in time, place, or sequence) + phemi = to say. One who speaks for another, often foretelling future events; a spokesman (prophet); c.f. Mt.1.22: "Now all this has happened that the thing SPOKEN by the Lord THROUGH the spokesman might be fulfilled..."; "...through the mouth of all the spokesmen..." in Act.3.18 and "...who spoke in the name of the Lord..." in Jas.5.10. This "speaking through God's spokesman" is always by inspiration, except in Tit.1.12 where it is through an uninspired person: "...a spokesman of their own said, 'Cretans are always liars'".

Inasmuch as God's Ancient Revelation (AR) and First Century Revelation (FCR) are complete, the speaking by God through modern spokespersons is necessarily about something else (even so, a person through whom the Pure Spirit speaks could be considered a "spokesman.") Note that Yesu often stated that he was speaking the things his Father told him, and as such was God's spokesman whether the text called him that or not. Note also that a person who "quotes scripture" is not a "spokesman."

The word Prophetes is transliterated "prophet" in popular translations, and hence is an ecclesiastical word which can be defined however an organization desires. However one English word that translates it accurately is "spokesman" (or "spokeswoman"). See also "false spokesman" (5578 pseudoprophetes).

AR USAGE: The Hebrew word nabiy' is used over 400 times in God's AR, and is usually translated "prophet." Ezk.2.4-5 states, concerning Ezekiel, "...I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, 'Thus saith the Lord Jehovah.' And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house), yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them...", and v.7, "And thou shalt speak my words unto them..." Ezekiel is here called a "prophet" because he is being a spokesman for God. But in Ex.7.1, Aaron is to be a spokesman for Moses, NOT GOD: "...and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet (nabiy'). Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh..."

AR "FALSE SPOKESMEN:" The expression "false prophet" does not occur in the AR. But at least three kinds of false prophets (spokesmen) are described:

1) "...the spokesman that shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak," Deut. 18.20.
2) "[a spokesman] that speaks in the name of other gods..." Deu.18.20.
3) "...the spokesmen of Israel...that prophesy out of their own heart," Eze.13.2-3.

GOD'S FCR SPOKESMEN (PROPHETS): REFERENCE TO GOD'S AR SPOKESMEN OR THEIR WRITINGS:

SPOKESMAN (60) Mt.1.22; 2.5,15,17,23; 3.3; 4.14; 5.12,17; 7.12; 8.17; 11.9,9,13; 12.17,39; 13.17,35; 14.5; 16.14; 21.4,26; 22.40; 23.29,30,31,34,37; 24.15; 26.56; 27.9. Mk.1.2; 6.15,15; 8.28; 11.32. Lk.1.70,76; 3.4; 4.17,27; 6.23; 7.26,26,39; 9.8,19; 10.24; 11.47,49,50; 13.28,33,34; 16.16,29,31; 18.31; 20.6; 24.25,27,44. Jn.1.21,23,25,45; 6.45; 7.52; 8.52,53; 12.38. Act.2.16,30; 3.18, 21,22,23,24,25; 7.37,42,48,52; 8.28,30,34; 10.43; 13.15,20,27,40; 15.15; 24.14; 26.22,27; 28.23,25. Rom.1.2; 3.21; 11.3. Eph.2.20. 1Th.2.15. Heb.1.1; 11.32. Jas.5.10. 1Pe.1.10. 2Pe.2.16; 3.2.

YESU SPECIFICALLY AS A SPOKESMAN:

SPOKESMAN (8) Mt.21.11,46. Lk.7.16; 24.19. Jn.4.19; 6.14; 7.40; 9.17.

GOD'S OTHER FCR SPOKESMEN:

SPOKESMAN (15) Act.11.27; 13.1; 15.32; 21.10. 1Co.12.28,29; 14.29, 37. Eph.3.5; 4.11. Rev.10.7; 11.10,18; 16.6; 18.20,24; 22.6,9.

A SPOKESMAN IN GENERAL:

SPOKESMAN (9) Mt.10.41,41,41; 13.57. Mk.6.4. Lk.4.24. Jn.4.44. 1Co.14.32,32.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR SOMEONE OTHER THAN GOD:

SPOKESMAN (1) Tit.1.12.

4395 PROPHETEUO (28): to "prophesy;" in God's FCR, always in the capacity of being a spokesman for Deity. Note that "the law" speaks for God (prophesies) in Mt.11.13.

SPEAK FROM GOD Mt.7.22; 11.13; 15.7; 26.68. Mk.7.6; 14.65. Lk.1.67; 22.64. Jn.11.51. Act.2.17,18; 19.6; 21.9. 1Co.11.4,5; 13.9; 14.1,3,4,5,5,24,31,39. 1Pe.1.10. Jud.14. Rev.10.11; 11.3.

4397 PROPHETIKOS (2): of a prophet or spokesman.

OF A SPOKESMAN Rom.16.26. 2Pe.1.19.

4398 PROPHETIS (2): a female spokesperson.

SPOKESWOMAN Lk.2.36. Rev.2.20.