Prophet

A prophet (Hebrew nabi', from a root meaning "to bubble forth" or "to utter"; also ro'eh and hozeh, both meaning "seer") was a person called by God to speak God's word to his people. Samuel marks the turning point from the earlier "seer" to the classical prophetic office. The schools of the prophets beginning in Samuel's time produced communities of prophets. Moses was the foundational prophet (Deut. 18:15–18; 34:10), and God promised a final prophet like Moses who would speak with even greater authority — a promise the New Testament identifies as fulfilled in Jesus (Acts 3:22–23; John 6:14). The Hebrew prophetic canon divides into former prophets (historical books) and latter prophets (the major and minor writing prophets). In the New Testament, prophecy continues as a gift within the church, and Jesus himself is described as prophet, priest, and king.