QUESTION: What is the scriptural meaning of the word "prophet"?
ANSWER: The prophets of God did not necessarily predict future events. Some did so, notably Isaiah, whose Spirit-given predictions are exceptionally rich and full. But many others such as Elijah dealt exclusively with existing conditions among the people. It is a simple rule in Bible study to examine the Holy Spirit's first mention of any matter, for we thereby learn its general significance throughout the Book of God. Someone has said: "God graciously hangs up the key just inside the door.”
We first meet the word "prophet" in Genesis 20:77Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. (Genesis 20:7). It is applied to Abraham! In the teaching of the New Testament two antediluvian witnesses—Abel and Enoch—are called prophets (Luke 11:50-5150That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. (Luke 11:50‑51); Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14)). But it is nevertheless true that the first man specially called a prophet in the Old Testament is Abraham.
Let us seek to understand the Holy Spirit's use of the term. Apart from divine guidance, Abraham went down to sojourn in the Philistine city of Gerar. To avert possible danger to himself he said of Sarah, "She is my sister." Abimelech the King, attracted by her, took her into his house, but God intervened, saying in a d ream, "Restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live." Remarkable, certainly, for the whole story suggests that at that time there was more pious fear of God in the mind of Abimelech the Philistine than in Abraham the Hebrew-"the friend of God." Yet Abraham was a prophet, and possessed intercessory influence such as Abimelech had not!
Incidentally, we may learn from this that even when our spiritual condition is low, our privileges as saints and priests are not withdrawn from us, although for the time being we are not in the enjoyment of them and are unable to exercise them for the blessing of others.
Abraham neither spoke nor wrote predictive matter, so far as Scripture speaks, although when in normal condition his spiritual vision enabled him to look far ahead and see with joy the day of Christ John 8:5656Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)). A prophet was simply a man who had the mind of God and was able to utter it. Thus in Psalm 105:1515Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. (Psalm 105:15) other patriarchs are called prophets as well as Abraham. They were men in touch with God and could give forth His mind as no others could in their day.
The words of the woman of Samaria in John 4:1919The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. (John 4:19) will help us here. She said to the mysterious Stranger who was conversing with her, "Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet." Yet He had not spoken to her either of future glories or of coming judgments, but His unexpected words, concerning her five husbands and the man with whom she was then living, made her feel that He was speaking to her directly from God. Indeed, He was God manifested in flesh, although she had no sense of this mighty fact at that moment.
There were prophets also in the New Testament (Eph. 2:20; 4:1120And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)). There was no resemblance between their ministry and that of such men as Isaiah and Jeremiah. It was not the future that occupied them; it was theirs to give forth the mind of God concerning the new wonderful work in Christianity, the Scriptures being not then complete. We even read in Acts 21:99And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. (Acts 21:9) of four women—daughters of Philip the evangelist—"which did prophesy." But their service would he rendered in private (1 Cor. 14:34-3534Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:34‑35)).