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נָבָא

𐤍𐤁𐤀

nâbâʼ

H5012 verb

SILEX Entry

Root נבא to act as a prophet, to deliver inspired speech, to proclaim on behalf of deity

Definition

To act as a prophet, to speak, declare, or deliver messages claimed to be inspired by a deity, whether in prediction, admonition, encouragement, or instruction; to perform the role of a spokesperson on behalf of the deity. The semantic range includes both the formal public proclamation frequently encountered in the Hebrew Bible and more private, visionary, or ecstatic utterances. In certain contexts, may carry the nuance of delivering poetic prophecies or proclamations, sometimes in song or liturgical settings.

Semantic Range

to speak as a prophet, to deliver a prophetic message, to proclaim inspired speech, to utter in a state of inspiration, to perform as a prophetic spokesperson, (rarely) to sing inspired oracular poetry

Root / Etymology

Root נבא (n-b-ʼ). The root's core meaning relates to functioning as a prophet, or acting in a prophetic capacity, especially in the sense of delivering a message from the deity. The precise morphological origin of the root is uncertain; some propose connection to Akkadian nabû (to call, announce), but any direct etymological relationship remains debated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb נָבָא is used throughout pre-exilic, monarchic, exilic, and post-exilic biblical texts. In the earliest usage, it describes individuals recognized as spokespeople or intermediaries for the Israelite deity, delivering messages, warnings, or predictions. Over time, the verb comes to denote both ecstatic utterance (1 Sam 10:10–13) and formal proclamation (Jeremiah, Isaiah). In some texts (esp. in the Deuteronomistic history and the prophets), the verb appears both for designated prophets (נָבִיא) and for false prophets or prophetic impostors; contextually, the word by itself does not indicate the truth value or status of the message. Use of the root rarely denotes singing per se, though prophesying was at times accompanied by music (cf. 1 Chron 25:1–3, but the primary sense is declamatory). Later translators (LXX) often rendered it as 'prophēteuō.' English translations usually render as 'prophesy,' but this can mislead by suggesting only prediction; the core involves bearing oracular/inspired speech, whether predictive, admonitory, or revelatory. The verb contrasts with words for divination (e.g., קסם) and soothsaying, which are treated as distinct from the Israelite understanding of prophecy.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נבא (n-b-ʾ) — to act as a prophet, to deliver inspired speech, to proclaim on behalf of deity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5013 נְבָא and he proclaimed as inspired spokesman
H5016 נְבוּאָה the prophetic utterance
H5017 נְבוּאָה in prophetic utterance of
H5029 נְבִיא the divine proclaimer
H5030 נָבִיא in the proclaiming-spokesmen

Word Forms

36 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5012-09 הִנָּבֵ֣א hinave HVNv2ms prophesy Prophesy yourself 19
H5012-18 נִבְּאִ֔ים nibeim HVNrmpa are prophesying those acting as prophets 10
H5012-30 וְ/הִנָּבֵ֖א vehinave HC/VNv2ms and prophesy and act as a prophet 9
H5012-07 הַ/נִּבְּאִ֣ים hanibeim HTd/VNrmpa who prophesy the prophesying ones 9
H5012-15 נִבָּ֑א niba HVNrmsa prophesying the one prophesying 8
H5012-28 וַ/יִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וּ vayitenabeu HC/Vtw3mp and they prophesied and they prophesied themselves 6
H5012-14 מִֽתְנַבְּאִ֖ים mitenabeim HVtrmpa are prophesying the ones acting as prophets 5
H5012-27 וַ/יִּתְנַבֵּ֖א vayitenabe HC/Vtw3ms and he prophesied and he acted as a prophet 5
H5012-22 תִנָּבֵא֙ tinave HVNi2ms prophesy you will act as a prophet 4
H5012-20 נִבְּא֣וּ nibeu HVNp3cp prophesied they acted as prophets 3

Occurrences in Scripture

115 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5012-28 Numbers 11:25 וַ/יִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וּ vayitenabeu HC/Vtw3mp they prophesied and they prophesied themselves
H5012-28 Numbers 11:26 וַ/יִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וּ vayitenabeu HC/Vtw3mp they prophesied and they prophesied themselves
H5012-14 Numbers 11:27 מִֽתְנַבְּאִ֖ים mitenabeim HVtrmpa are prophesying the ones acting as prophets
H5012-14 1 Samuel 10:5 מִֽתְנַבְּאִֽים mitenabeim HVtrmpa will be prophesying the ones acting as prophets
H5012-31 1 Samuel 10:6 וְ/הִתְנַבִּ֖יתָ vehitenabita HC/Vtq2ms and you shall prophesy and you will act as a prophet
H5012-27 1 Samuel 10:10 וַ/יִּתְנַבֵּ֖א vayitenabe HC/Vtw3ms and he prophesied and he acted as a prophet
H5012-15 1 Samuel 10:11 נִבָּ֑א niba HVNrmsa prophesying the one prophesying
H5012-12 1 Samuel 10:13 מֵֽ/הִתְנַבּ֔וֹת mehitenabot HR/Vtc from prophesying from acting as a prophet
H5012-27 1 Samuel 18:10 וַ/יִּתְנַבֵּ֣א vayitenabe HC/Vtw3ms and he raved and he acted as a prophet
H5012-18 1 Samuel 19:20 נִבְּאִ֔ים nibeim HVNrmpa prophesying those acting as prophets
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