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Prophecy

Original Hebrew / Aramaic / Greek connected to this term

How to read this: there is rarely one magic “true meaning” hidden behind an English word. A lexicon records a word’s semantic range. The intended meaning is narrowed by grammar, sentence, author, historical usage and context.

GREEK · G4394

προφητεία

prophēteia — prophecy

προφητεία, -ας, ἡ (προψητεύω) [in LXX for נְבוּאָה, חָזוֹן ;] the gift (and its exercise) of interpreting the Divine will and purpose, prophecy, prophesying: of OT prophecy, Mat.13:14, 2Pe.1:20-21; of NT prophecy, Rom.12:6, 1Co.12:10 13:2 14:6 14:22, 1Ti.4:14, Rev.11:6 22:19; pl., 1Co.13:8, 1Th.5:20, 1Ti.1:18; οἱ λόγοι τῆς π., Rev.1:3 22:7, 10 22:18; τ. πνεῦμα τῆς π., Rev.19:10 (Luc., FlJ, LXX, π.; see Deiss., BS, 235 f.; MM, xxii).† (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H5016

נְבוּאָה

ne.vu.ah — prophecy

1) prophecy 1a) prophecy 1a1) specific and genuine 1a2) false 1b) prophetic writing Aramaic equivalent: ne.vu.ah (נְבוּאָה "prophesying" H5017)

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GREEK · G2443

ἵνα

hina — in order that/to

ἵνα, I. adverb (poët., Hom., al.), 1. of place, where, whither. 2. of circumstance, when. II. Conjunction, 1. prop., final, denoting purpose or end (cl.), that, in order that, usually the first word in the clause, but sometimes (cl. also) preceded by an emphatic word (Act.19:4, Rom.11:31 (?), Gal.2:10, al.); (a) with optative (so in cl. after historic tenses): after a pres., Eph.1:17 (but WH, mg., subjc.; see Burton, §225, Rem., 2); (b) with subjc.: after a pres., Mrk.4:21, Luk.6:34, Jhn.3:15, Act.2:25, Rom.1:11, al.; after a pf., Mat.1:22, Jhn.5:23 1Co.9:22, al.; after an imperat. (present or aor.), Mat.7:1, Mrk.11:25, Jhn.10:38, 1Co.7:5, al.; after a delib. subjc., Mrk.1:38, al.; after a fut., Luk.16:4, Jhn.14:3, 1Co.15:28, al.; after historic tenses (where optative in cl.; WM, 359f.; M, Pr., 196f.), Mrk.6:41 (impf.), Jhn.4:8 (plpf.), Mrk.3:14 (aor.), al.; (with) in late writers (M, Pr., 35; Burton, §§198, 199), with indic., fut: Luk.20:10, 1Pe.3:1, al.; (d) as often in eccl. writers (Thayer, see word), with indic. pres.: 1Co.4:6, Gal.4:17, al. (?; but V. Burton, §198, Rem.); (e) εἰς (διὰ) τοῦτο, ἵνα: Jhn.18:37, 1Ti.1:16, al.; τούτου χάριν, Tit.1:5; (f) elliptical constructions: omission of the principal verb, Jhn.1:8, 2Th.3:9, 1Jn.2:19, al.; of the final verb, Rom.4:16, 2Co.8:13, al. 2. In late writers, definitive, = inf. (WM, 420; Bl, §69, 1), that; (a) after verbs of wishing, caring, striving, etc.: θέλω, Mat.7:12, al.; ζητῶ, 1Co.4:2 14:12; ζηλόω, 1Co.14:1, al.; (b) after verbs of saying, asking, exhorting: εἰπεῖν, Mat.4:3, al.; ἐρωτῶ, Mrk.7:26, al.; παρακαλῶ, Mat.14:36, 1Co.1:10, al., etc.; (with) after words expressing expediency, etc.: συμφέρει, Mat.18:6, Jhn.11:50, al.; ἱκανός, Mat.8:8, Luk.7:6; χρείαν ἔχω, Jhn.2:25, al, etc.; (d) after substantives, adding further definition: ὥρα, Jhn.12:23 13:1; χρόνος, Rev.2:21; συνήθεια, Jhn.18:39; μισθός, 1Co.9:18. 3. In late writers, ecbatic, denoting the result, = ὥστε, that, so that (M, Pr., 206ff.; WM, 572; Bl., §69, 3; Burton, §223): Rom.11:11, 1Co.7:29, 1Th.5:4, al. (but see Thayer, see word); so with the formula referring to the fulfilment of prophecy, ἵνα πληρωθῇ, Mat.1:22 2:14, Jhn.13:18, al. (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H7307

רוּחַ

ru.ach — spirit

: spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force

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GREEK · G4487

ῥῆμα

rhēma — declaration

ῥῆμα, -τος, τό [in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for פֶּה, and Aram. פִּתְגָּם, etc. ;] 1. prop., of that which is said or spoken, (a) a word: Mat.27:14, 2Co.12:4; pl., τὰ ῥ., of speech, discourse, Luk.7:1, Jhn.8:20, Act.2:14, Rom.10:18, 2Pe.3:2, al.; (b) opposite to ὄνομα (a single word), a saying, statement, word of prophecy, instruction or command (in cl., phrase): Mat.26:75, Mrk.9:32, Luk.1:38 2:50, Act.11:16, Rom.10:8, Heb.11:3; ῥ. θεοῦ (κυρίου), Luk.3:2, Act.11:16, Eph.6:17, Heb.6:5 11:3, 1Pe.1:25" (LXX) ; τὰ ῥ. τ. θεοῦ, Jhn.3:34 8:47; ῥ. ἀργόν, Mat.12:36;ῥ. ἄρρητα, 2Co.12:4. 2. Like Heb. דָּבָר (but perh. also a Gk. colloquialism, see Kennedy, Sources, 124; Thackeray, Gr., 41), of that which is the subject of speech, a thing, matter (Gen.15:1, Deu.17:8, al.): Luk.1:37 2:15, Act.10:37; pl., Luk.1:65 2:19, 51, Act.5:32 13:42 (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H1109

בִּלְעָם

bil.am — Balaam

A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.22.5; son of: Beor (H1160H) Also named: Balaam (Βαλαάμ "Balaam" G0903) § Balaam = "not of the people" the son of Beor, a man endowed with the gift of prophecy

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H2377

חָזוֹן

cha.zon — vision

1) vision 1a) vision (in ecstatic state) 1b) vision (in night) 1c) vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication) 1d) vision (as title of book of prophecy)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H3088

יְהוֹרָם

ye.ho.ram — Jehoram

A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.22.50; son of: Jehoshaphat (H3092I); brother of: Azariah (H5838Q), Jehiel (H3171J), Zechariah (H2148J), Azariahu (H5838R), Michael (H4317O) and Shephatiah (H8203K); married to Athaliah (H6271); father of: Ahaziah (H0274H) and Jehosheba (H3089); also called Joram at 2Ki.8.21,23,24; 11.2; 2x § Jehoram or Joram = "Jehovah is exalted" 1) son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and himself king of Judah for 8 years; his wife was the wicked Athaliah who was probably the instigator for his returning the nation of Judah to the worship of Baal 2) son of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel and king of Israel himself for 12 years; he was murdered by Jehu on the plot of land for which his father had murdered Naboth thus fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah to the very letter 3) a priest in the reign of Jehoshaphat

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GREEK · G4130

πλήθω, πίμπλημι

plēthō, pimplēmi — to fill

πίμπλημι [in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא, also for שָׂבַע ;] trans. form in present and imperfect of πλήθω (intrans. in these tenses), which supplies the other tense forms; to fill: with accusative, Luk.5:7; with accusative and genitive, Mat.27:48; pass., Mat.22:10, Act.19:29; of that which fills or takes possession of the mind : pass., with genitive, Luk.1:15, 41 1:67 4:28 5:26 6:11, Act.2:4 3:10 4:8, 31 5:17 9:17 13:9, 45. Metaphorical (as in LXX for מָלֵא: Gen.29:27, Job.15:32), to complete, fulfil: pass., of prophecy, Luk.21:22; of time, Luk.1:23, 57 2:6, 21-22 (cf. ἐμ-πίμπλημι).† πλήθω, see: πίμπλημι SYN.: πληροφορέω, πληρόω (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H3124

יוֹנָה

yo.nah — Jonah

A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.14.25; son of: Amittai (H0573) Also named: Iōnas (Ἰωνᾶς "Jonah" G2495H) § Jonah = "dove" son of Amittai and a native of Gath-hepher; 5th of the minor prophets who prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II and whom God sent also to prophecy to Nineveh

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H3141

יוֹרָם

yo.ram — Joram

A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.10; son of: Toi (H8583); also called Hadoram at 1Ch.18.10; Also named: ha.do.ram (הֲדוֹרָם "Hadoram" H1913) § Joram = "Jehovah is exalted" 1) son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and himself king of Judah for 8 years; his wife was the wicked Athaliah who was probably the instigator for his returning the nation of Judah to the worship of Baal 2) son of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel and king of Israel himself for 12 years; he was murdered by Jehu on the plot of land for which his father had murdered Naboth thus fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah to the very letter 3) a Levite in the time of David and an ancestor of Shelomith 4) son of Toi, king of Hamath

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GREEK · G3088

λύχνος

luchnos — lamp

λύχνος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX for נִיר (Exo.25:37), al.) ;] a lamp (portable, and usually set on a stand, λυχνία): Mat.5:15, Luk.11:36; ἔρχεται ὁ λ., Mrk.4:21; λ. ἅπτειν Luk.8:16 11:33 15:8; φῶς λύχνου, Rev.18:23; id. opposite to φ.ἡλίου, Rev.22:5; metaphorically, of the eye, Mat.6:22 Luk.11:34; of John the Baptist, Jhn.5:35; of the Lamb, Rev.21:23; of prophecy, 2Pe.1:19; of spiritual readiness, pl., λύχνοι (as always in LXX; frequently in Att.. λύχνα), Luk.12:35.† SYN.: λαμπάς, q.v (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H2292

חַגַּי

chag.gay — Haggai

A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.5.1 Also named: chag.gay (חַגַּי "Haggai" H2292B) § Haggai = "festive" 1) 10th in order of the minor prophets; first prophet to prophecy after the captivity 2) son of Gad

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H5197

נָטַף

na.taph — to drip/prophesy

1) to drop, drip, distil, prophesy, preach, discourse 1a) (Qal) to drop, drip 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to drip 1b2) to drop (prophecy)

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GREEK · G4280

προερέω

proereō — to predict

προ-ερέω, -ῶ, see: προεῖπον. προ-εῖπον 2 aor. from unused Pres. (see: εἶπον, and pf., -είρηκα (3Ma.6:35 *), pass., -είρημαι (2Ma.2:32, 3Ma.1:26, al.), 1. to say before: Gal.1:9, 1Th.4:6 (on the form -αμεν, see WH, App., 164), Heb.4:7; before ὅτι, 2Co.7:3 13:2, Gal.5:21; of prophecy, Mat.24:25, Mrk.13:23, Act.1:16, Rom.9:29, 2Pe.3:2, Ju 17. 2. to proclaim publicly, declare openly or plainly (cl.): so R, mg., in 2Co.13:2, Gal.5:21, 1Th.4:6 (cf. προλέγω; but see supr., and cf. M, Th., 38).† (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H2384

חִזָּיוֹן

chiz.za.von — vision

1) vision 1a) vision (in the ecstatic state) 1a1) valley of vision (perhaps fig. of Jerusalem or Hinnom) 1b) vision (in the night) 1c) vision, oracle, prophecy (in divine communication)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H1587

גְּמַרְיָ֫הוּ

ge.mar.yah — Gemariah

A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.29.3; son of: Hilkiah (H2518H); brother of: Azariah (H5838L) § Gemariah = "Jehovah has accomplished" 1) the son of Shaphan the scribe and father of Michaiah; one of the nobles of Judah who had a chamber in the temple from which Baruch read Jeremiah's alarming prophecy to all the people 2) the son of Hilkiah who bore Jeremiah's letter to the captive Jews

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H5229

נְכֹחָה

ne.kho.chah — upright

1) straight in front, be in front of, straight, right, straightness 1a) true things (of prophecy) 1b) rectitude (subst)

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GREEK · G4277

προέπω

proepō — to predict

προ-εῖπον 2 aor. from unused Pres. (see: εἶπον, and pf., -είρηκα (3Ma.6:35 *), pass., -είρημαι (2Ma.2:32, 3Ma.1:26, al.), 1. to say before: Gal.1:9, 1Th.4:6 (on the form -αμεν, see WH, App., 164), Heb.4:7; before ὅτι, 2Co.7:3 13:2, Gal.5:21; of prophecy, Mat.24:25, Mrk.13:23, Act.1:16, Rom.9:29, 2Pe.3:2, Ju 17. 2. to proclaim publicly, declare openly or plainly (cl.): so R, mg., in 2Co.13:2, Gal.5:21, 1Th.4:6 (cf. προλέγω; but see supr., and cf. M, Th., 38).† (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H5809

עַזּוּר

az.zur — Azzur

A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.10.17 § Azur or Azzur = "he that assists" 1) a Benjamite of Gibeon, father of the false prophet Hananiah 2) father of Jaazaniah, one of the princes against whom Ezekiel was commanded to prophecy

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GREEK · G4397

προφητικός

prophētikos — prophetic

προφητικός, -ά, -όν (προφήτης), of prophecy, prophetic: Rom.16:26, 2Pe.1:19.† (AS)

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HEBREW / ARAMAIC · H5001

נָאַם

na.am — to prophesy

1) to prophesy, utter a prophecy, speak as prophet, say 1a) (Qal) to utter a prophecy, speak as prophet

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Historical dictionary entry

Or prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a “miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture.” (See PROPHET.) The great prediction which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah; and the great use of prophecy was to perpetuate faith in his coming, and to prepare the world for that event. But there are many subordinate and intermediate prophecies also which hold an important place in the great chain of events which illustrate the sovereignty and all-wise overruling providence of God. Then there are many prophecies regarding the Jewish nation, its founder Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:5; 17:2, 4-6, etc.), and his posterity, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants (12:7; 13:14, 15, 17; 15:18-21; Ex. 3:8, 17), which have all been fulfilled. The twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy contains a series of predictions which are even now in the present day being fulfilled. In the writings of the prophets Isaiah (2:18-21), Jeremiah (27:3-7; 29:11-14), Ezekiel (5:12; 8), Daniel (8; 9:26, 27), Hosea (9:17), there are also many prophecies regarding the events which were to befall that people. There is in like manner a large number of prophecies relating to those nations with which the Jews came into contact, as Tyre (Ezek. 26:3-5, 14-21), Egypt (Ezek. 29:10, 15; 30:6, 12, 13), Ethiopia (Nahum 3:8-10), Nineveh (Nahum 1:10; 2:8-13; 3:17-19), Babylon (Isa. 13:4; Jer. 51:7; Isa. 44:27; Jer. 50:38; 51:36, 39, 57), the land of the Philistines (Jer. 47:4-7; Ezek. 25:15-17; Amos 1:6-8; Zeph. 2:4-7; Zech. 9:5-8), and of the four great monarchies (Dan. 2:39, 40; 7:17-24; 8:9). But the great body of Old Testament prophecy relates directly to the advent of the Messiah, beginning with Gen. 3:15, the first great promise, and extending in ever-increasing fulness and clearness all through to the very close of the canon. The Messianic prophecies are too numerous to be quoted. “To him gave all the prophets witness.” (Comp. Micah 5:2; Hag. 2:6-9; Isa. 7:14; 9:6, 7; 11:1, 2; 53; 60:10, 13; Ps. 16:11; 68:18.) Many predictions also were delivered by Jesus and his apostles. Those of Christ were very numerous. (Comp. Matt. 10:23:24; 11:23; 19:28; 21:43, 44; 24; 25:31-46; 26:17-35, 46, 64; Mark 9:1; 10:30; 13; 11:1-6, 14; 14:12-31, 42, 62; 16:17, etc.)

Scripture references

Source: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897). Historical dictionary wording reflects the scholarship and language of its era.

Compare other reference traditions

Look up Prophecy in Smith’s Bible Dictionary and ISBE →