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נְבִיא

𐤍𐤁𐤉𐤀

nᵉbîyʼ

H5029 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נבא to call, announce, proclaim divinely

Definition

A spokesperson, proclaimer, or messenger authorized to communicate divine messages; specifically denotes an individual recognized as receiving revelation or communication from a deity—typically, but not exclusively, in the Israelite religious context. In Aramaic biblical passages, נְבִיא designates an official or informal agent who relays divine guidance, warnings, or pronouncements to rulers or communities. The term can include figures within Israelite circles as well as non-Israelites recognized as bearers of divine communication.

Semantic Range

prophet, spokesperson for a deity, one who provides divine revelation, messenger of divine will, inspired person, visionary, oracle-giver

Root / Etymology

From the root נבא (n-b-ʾ), whose core meaning is 'to call, announce, make known, announce as a prophet.' The Aramaic form נְבִיא is directly parallel to the Hebrew נָבִיא. The Semitic root is attested broadly in related languages with similar meanings, indicating a spokesperson or someone who proclaims.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel and Ezra), נְבִיא serves exactly as the Hebrew נָבִיא—referring to mediators of divine will, including both Israelite and non-Israelite individuals. In Daniel 2:27 and throughout related Aramaic literature of the period, the term can overlap with court-wise men or diviners, but its core reference is to someone recognized as a bearer of supernaturally revealed information. The English 'prophet' only partially overlaps with biblical usage, as the role includes both prediction and proclamation, with social, cultic, and political functions. In post-exilic literature, the category of 'prophet' (including those called נְבִיא) shows increasing connection to defined occupational or cultic roles, sometimes opposing other court functionaries. Later tradition would narrow and formalize the term's meaning; in the biblical period, especially in non-Hebrew sections, the sense remains broad, encompassing wide variety of supernatural mediators.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to נָבִיא; a prophet; prophet.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נבא (n-b-ʾ) — to call, announce, proclaim divinely

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5012 נָבָא in his prophesying
H5013 נְבָא and he proclaimed as inspired spokesman
H5016 נְבוּאָה the prophetic utterance
H5017 נְבוּאָה in prophetic utterance of
H5030 נָבִיא in the proclaiming-spokesmen

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5029-03 נביא/ה nvyh ANcmsd/Td the prophet the divine proclaimer 2
H5029-02 נְבִיַּיָּ֔/א neviyaya ANcmpd/Td of God the divine spokespersons 2
H5029-04 נביאי/א nvyy ANcmpd/Td prophets the divine-proclaimers 2
H5029-01 נְבִיָּ֗/א neviya ANcmsd/Td the prophet the divine proclaimer 2

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5029-03 Ezra 5:1 נביא/ה nvyh ANcmsd/Td the prophet the divine proclaimer
H5029-01 Ezra 5:1 נְבִיָּ֗/א neviya ANcmsd/Td the prophet the divine proclaimer
H5029-04 Ezra 5:1 נביאי/א nvyy ANcmpd/Td the prophets the divine-proclaimers
H5029-02 Ezra 5:1 נְבִיַּיָּ֔/א neviyaya ANcmpd/Td the prophets the divine spokespersons
H5029-04 Ezra 5:2 נביאי/א nvyy ANcmpd/Td prophets the divine-proclaimers
H5029-02 Ezra 5:2 נְבִיַּיָּ֥/א neviyaya ANcmpd/Td of God the divine spokespersons
H5029-03 Ezra 6:14 נביא/ה nvyh ANcmsd/Td the prophet the divine proclaimer
H5029-01 Ezra 6:14 נְבִיָּ֔/א neviya ANcmpd/Td and Zechariah the divine proclaimer
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