What Is Prophet?
A person called by God to speak his word to people, often calling for repentance while also revealing what is to come.
Meaning
The Hebrew word nabi and the Greek prophetes both essentially mean spokesperson, someone who speaks on behalf of another. Biblical prophets like Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were primarily forthtellers, declaring God's word and will to their own generation, calling people back to covenant faithfulness, though they also sometimes foretold future events.
In Deuteronomy, Moses tells Israel that God will raise up a prophet like himself from among their own people, promising God's words would be placed in that prophet's mouth. Jewish tradition has read this as referring to a future prophet or an ongoing line of prophets continuing Moses' role. The New Testament book of Acts applies this same passage directly to Jesus, presenting him as the prophet Moses foretold.
The New Testament also describes prophecy as a continuing spiritual gift and office within the early church, alongside apostles, listed among the gifts given to build up the body of believers. Most Christian traditions hold that the unique, authoritative, Scripture-producing prophetic office effectively closed with the apostolic era, meaning no new prophetic word carries the same binding authority as the biblical canon. Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions differ here, affirming an ongoing gift of prophecy active in the church today, understood as edifying and personal rather than equal to Scripture.
In Scripture
Deuteronomy 18:18“I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.”
Explore more terms in the Christian glossary, see how the traditions understand it on the denominations guide, or read related verses explained.
Prophet: Frequently Asked
What is the biblical role of a prophet?
A prophet speaks on God's behalf, primarily calling people back to faithfulness and declaring God's will for their own time, rather than only predicting the future. Figures like Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah combined both roles, though forthtelling God's message was generally their central task.
Does Christianity teach that prophecy still happens today?
Views differ. Most traditions hold the authoritative, Scripture-producing prophetic office closed with the apostolic era, so nothing today carries equal authority to the Bible. Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions affirm an ongoing gift of prophecy in the church, understood as personal and edifying rather than Scripture-level.
How does Deuteronomy 18:18 relate to Jesus?
Moses promised God would raise up a future prophet like himself. Jewish tradition has read this as pointing to a future prophet or line of prophets. The New Testament book of Acts explicitly applies the passage to Jesus, presenting him as the prophet this verse anticipated.