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נָבִיא

𐤍𐤁𐤉𐤀

nâbîyʼ

H5030 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נבא to proclaim, to call, to speak as a spokesperson

Definition

A person who functions as a spokesperson or messenger on behalf of a deity, most specifically YHWH in Israelite tradition, conveying divine messages by inspiration. The term encompasses individuals who deliver oracles, exhortation, warning, instruction, or revelation, whether in speech, writing, or symbolic action, derived from a claimed encounter with the divine. In biblical usage, 'navi' may refer to both male and female figures commissioned for these roles.

Semantic Range

prophet, inspired spokesperson, visionary, oracle-giver, one proclaiming a divine message, ecstatic, appointed messenger

Root / Etymology

From the root נבא (n-b-ʼ), traditionally understood to mean 'to call', 'to proclaim', or 'to announce'. The causative stem (hiphil) of the root (הִנְבִּיא) means 'to prophesy' or 'to make known a divine message'. The exact original force of the root is debated; some suggest an Akkadian or Northwest Semitic origin relating to 'call', 'proclaim', or an ecstatic state, but definitive origin remains uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term נָבִיא (navi) emerges in the biblical narrative as a prominent title for individuals believed to serve as intermediaries between the divine and human realms. While the patriarchal narratives occasionally use the term (Genesis 20:7 referring to Abraham), its prominence grows during the monarchic period, designating figures such as Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, and the authors of the books bearing their names. The עֹדֶה ('seer') and חֹזֶה ('visionary') are sometimes presented as overlapping but distinct roles; 'navi' ultimately becomes the standard title, particularly for figures providing YHWH's message to the people or rulers. In exilic and post-exilic literature, the term may also denote those seen as preserving or interpreting earlier oracles. Later English translations often render 'navi' as 'prophet,' but this term carries connotations influenced by subsequent religious tradition. The Hebrew term, however, embraces both those who originate new proclamations and those who serve as guardians or transmitters of revelation, and it is not inherently predictive in focus. Female prophets (נְבִיאָה, such as Miriam or Huldah) are also attested.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from נָבָא; a prophet or (generally) inspired man; prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נבא (n-b-ʾ) — to proclaim, to call, to speak as a spokesperson

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
H5029 נְבִיא the divine proclaimer

Word Forms

37 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5030-03 הַ/נָּבִ֣יא hanavi HTd/Ncmsa the prophet the proclaiming spokesman 120
H5030-04 הַ/נְּבִיאִים֙ haneviim HTd/Ncmpa the prophets the proclaiming-spokesmen 73
H5030-14 נָבִ֣יא navi HNcmsa prophet proclaiming spokesman 26
H5030-19 נְבִיאֵ֣י neviey HNcmpc prophets proclaiming spokesmen of 12
H5030-23 נְבִיאִ֔ים neviim HNcmpa prophets proclaiming spokespersons 9
H5030-33 וְ/הַ/נְּבִיאִ֔ים vehaneviim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the prophets and the divine spokesmen 9
H5030-21 נְבִיאֶ֖י/ךָ nevieykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms your prophets your proclaiming-spokesmen 7
H5030-36 וְ/נָבִ֤יא venavi HC/Ncmsa and prophet and a proclaiming spokesman 6
H5030-22 נְבִֽיאֵי/כֶ֖ם nevieykhem HNcmpc/Sp2mp your prophets your proclaiming-spokesmen 5
H5030-01 בַּ/נְּבִיאִֽים baneviim HRd/Ncmpa among the prophets in the proclaiming-spokesmen 5

Occurrences in Scripture

317 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5030-14 Genesis 20:7 נָבִ֣יא navi HNcmsa a prophet proclaiming spokesman
H5030-18 Exodus 7:1 נְבִיאֶֽ/ךָ neviekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your prophet your proclaiming spokesman
H5030-23 Numbers 11:29 נְבִיאִ֔ים neviim HNcmpa prophets proclaiming spokespersons
H5030-15 Numbers 12:6 נְבִ֣יאֲ/כֶ֔ם neviakhem HNcmsc/Sp2mp your prophet your inspired spokesman
H5030-14 Deuteronomy 13:2 נָבִ֔יא navi HNcmsa a prophet proclaiming spokesman
H5030-03 Deuteronomy 13:4 הַ/נָּבִ֣יא hanavi HTd/Ncmsa the prophet the proclaiming spokesman
H5030-32 Deuteronomy 13:6 וְ/הַ/נָּבִ֣יא vehanavi HC/Td/Ncmsa and-the-prophet and the proclaimed-spokesman
H5030-14 Deuteronomy 18:15 נָבִ֨יא navi HNcmsa a prophet proclaiming spokesman
H5030-14 Deuteronomy 18:18 נָבִ֨יא navi HNcmsa a prophet proclaiming spokesman
H5030-03 Deuteronomy 18:20 הַ/נָּבִ֡יא hanavi HTd/Ncmsa the prophet the proclaiming spokesman
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