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προφήτης

prophḗtēs

G4396 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who speaks forth or declares a message under divine or spiritual inspiration; in Greek literature, primarily a spokesperson, interpreter, or herald speaking on behalf of a deity. In Jewish and Christian contexts (Septuagint, New Testament), denotes a figure who communicates divine revelations, instructions, or warnings—these may include future predictions but often emphasize moral exhortation or interpretation of divine will. Can also refer to a teacher or preacher in early assemblies who claims or is recognized to speak as inspired by a divine source.

Semantic Range

spokesperson, inspired speaker, interpreter of the divine will, religious or moral teacher, one who predicts or warns of future events, poet (rare)

Root / Etymology

From πρό ('before' or 'forth') and φημί ('to speak'). The term thus originally designates 'one who speaks forth' or 'announces on behalf (of another).',' with no necessary implication of foretelling future events.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προφήτης refers generally to an interpreter or spokesperson for the gods, initially one who interprets the words or signs of a deity rather than a predictor of the future. At sanctuaries like Delphi, the προφήτης would relay the pronouncements of the god given through the oracle. In Septuagint translation, προφήτης is used for the Hebrew נָבִיא (nāvîʾ), transferring the concept of the Israelite/Judean prophet—one called to speak God’s message. In the New Testament, the term covers a range of figures: those recognized in Israel's history, individuals (including women) active in early assemblies, and sometimes as an office (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:28-29). While English 'prophet' often connotes prediction, the Greek term's range is broader, emphasizing 'divinely inspired speaker;' not all προφῆται were primarily predictive. Early Christian understanding further expands the term to include inspired teachers or exhorters within the community. Standard English translations as 'prophet' are on the whole correct but may suggest a narrower, predictive sense than the Greek term typically carries.

Translation Consistency

primary "prophet" 144 occurrences

The Greek προφήτης consistently denotes a spokesperson inspired to declare divine will—most naturally and commonly rendered in English as “prophet.” This single noun covers the primary senses (inspired speaker, interpreter, moral teacher, predictor) used in LXX and NT contexts and yields natural English forms (prophet/prophets) for all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of πρό and φημί; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.

Root Family

προφήτης (prophētēs) — to speak forth, to declare, to announce on behalf

Root φημ- to speak, to declare, to make known

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4396-07 προφητῶν propheton N GEN M PL prophets of inspired spokespersons of prophets 32
G4396-06 προφήτης prophetes N NOM M SG prophet inspired spokesperson inspired prophet 27
G4396-08 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet 26
G4396-01 προφῆται prophetai N NOM M PL prophets inspired spokespersons inspired prophets 21
G4396-03 προφήτας prophetas N ACC M PL prophets inspired spokespersons inspired prophets 15
G4396-05 προφήτην propheten N ACC M SG a prophet an inspired spokesperson an inspired prophet 12
G4396-02 προφήταις prophetais N DAT M PL prophets to inspired spokespersons prophets 10
G4396-04 προφήτῃ prophete N DAT M SG prophet to an inspired spokesman prophet 1

Occurrences in Scripture

144 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4396-08 Matthew 1:22 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet
G4396-08 Matthew 2:5 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet
G4396-08 Matthew 2:15 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet
G4396-08 Matthew 2:17 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet
G4396-07 Matthew 2:23 προφητῶν propheton N GEN M PL prophets of inspired spokespersons of prophets
G4396-08 Matthew 3:3 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet
G4396-08 Matthew 4:14 προφήτου prophetou N GEN M SG prophet of an inspired spokesperson of a prophet
G4396-03 Matthew 5:12 προφήτας prophetas N ACC M PL prophets inspired spokespersons inspired prophets
G4396-03 Matthew 5:17 προφήτας prophetas N ACC M PL Prophets inspired spokespersons inspired prophets
G4396-01 Matthew 7:12 προφῆται prophetai N NOM M PL prophets inspired spokespersons inspired prophets
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