PROPHECY. I. Definition.— The word prophet is derived from the Greek word 'ipo rrlt, which doubtless meant originally an interpreter, then more specifically an interpreter of deity. Hence a prophet may be defined as a person who is considered to speak by the direct inspiration of a deity or spirit, while prophecy is the message of a prophet. The prevailing idea that the fundamental meaning of prophecy is prediction is thus erroneous, although predic tion is often associated with the work of a prophet. Prophecy was an endeavor to ascertain the will of the deity by petSenal or subjective means, in contrast with omens and some forms of oracles which used external means.
H. Prophecy among other Nations aside from the Prophecy was common in the early history of the world, although ordi narily much less frequently than oracles and omens. It prevailed particularly in Greece. Specially celebrated was the Pythia, the priest ess of the Pythian Apollo at Delphi, who spoke in an ecstatic state supposed to be caused by vapors from a chasm in the temple. There were also various sibyls in Greece, their number varying in the traditional accounts from four to ten. These sibyls were highly esteemed by the Romans and some of their written productions were regarded with great veneration. In the Semitic group of peoples, aside from the Hebrews, there is no explicit evidence of the presence of prophets among the Babylonians and Assyrians, nor among the Canaanites, al though their existence among the latter people is often inferred from their similarity to the Phoenicians. They are found among the Arabs, being there called by the name kahin, which is the same as the Hebrew word for priest, and the Arab prophets sometimes acted also as priests. They are also found in the service of the Phoenician Baal, as appears from the Old Testament accounts. No important written records of the utterances of any of these prophets outside of the Hebrew people have been preserved, the Sibylline Books, reputed to be of Greek authorship, being almost entirely late Jewish compositions, thus really pseudony mous, with some Christian fragments. Proph ecy among other nations aside from the He brews was ordinarily of the clairvoyant type, being given in answer to specific questions of individuals, and hence of no general or per manent value.
HI. Hebrew Prophecy. 1. General Con ception.— The usual Hebrew word for prophet is While the meaning of the word is disputed, it seems probable that its etymological significance is "speaker); hence it has the funda mental idea of one who speaks for God, in accordance with the discussion above. The
Hebrew prophet always spoke in the name of Yahweh. As among other nations, there are indications that in early times prophets and priests were connected; even some of the later prophets,• as Jeremiah and Ezekiel were from priestly families.
2. Historical Development.— Considered his torically, the Hebrew prophets may conveniently be divided into three classes, which are not, however, entirely distinct from each other, an individual sometimes exercising functions be longing to more than one class, and all of them having certain characteristics in common. These classes may be called seers, oral prophets, and writing prophets. The seer was consulted by individuals concerning personal matters, Samuel, according to one representation, belonging to this class, 1 Sam. ix, 7-8. This class seems to have been an early development, but it probably continued active until a late period. The oral prophets were concerned with the affairs of the nation and of the king as the representative of the nation. Their work, however, was specific, their usual task being to give advice concern ing a particular situation, especially when con sulted by the king. These may be called largely, but not entirely, professional. Many no • doubt also acted as seers. The writing prophets were distinguished superficially by the 'that, while their messages were ordinarily proclaVed orally, later these •messages were comm ed to writing, either by the prophet himself pr by his disciples. But this really re sulted f rbm a deeper distinction. Their mes sages were actually characterized by great and permanent significance; they not only gave ad to a particular situation, as Isaiah to . haz and Hezekiah, but they based this on funAamental and comprehensive teaching concerning bd, his relations to men and his principles The presentation of new truth is thAs specially characteristic of the prophets, and some of the greatest messages of the Old Testament come from them. These prophets were dearly not pro fessional. What are usually called the prophetic books of the Old Testament contain the messages of this class, as well as other por tions, such as the prophetic narratives of the Pentateuch known as J and E.