נָבִיא
Navi
Prophet, spokesperson, one who is called
Navi (נָבִיא) is a Hebrew word meaning “prophet, spokesperson, one who is called,” pronounced “na-VEE.” Derived from the root נ-ב-א, navi appears 316 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H5030).
| Hebrew | נָבִיא |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Navi |
| Pronunciation | na-VEE |
| Meaning | Prophet, spokesperson, one who is called |
| Root Letters | נ-ב-א |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 316× |
| Key Verse | Deuteronomy 18:18 |
| Strong's Number | H5030 |
| Category | Covenant & Theology |
The English word 'prophet' comes from the Greek prophetes, meaning 'one who speaks before.' But the Hebrew navi (נָבִיא) may carry a different and deeper meaning. Many scholars trace navi to the Akkadian word nabu, meaning 'to call' — a prophet is one who is called by God, and who then calls out God's words to the people. The navi is not primarily a fortune-teller or a predictor of future events, though prophecy sometimes includes that. The navi is a spokesperson — a mouth for God. When God told Moses, 'I will put My words in his mouth' (Deuteronomy 18:18), He defined the prophetic role: receiving divine communication and faithfully transmitting it. The Hebrew prophets were among the most extraordinary human beings who ever lived. They confronted kings (Nathan to David, Elijah to Ahab), comforted the brokenhearted (Isaiah 40:1), wept over national sin (Jeremiah), and glimpsed the distant future with breathtaking clarity (Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel). They were often despised, persecuted, and killed — Jesus Himself said, 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets' (Matthew 23:37). Yet without the nevi'im (prophets), we would have no Messianic prophecies, no call to justice, and no vision of the age to come. Moses was the greatest navi (Deuteronomy 34:10), and God promised one day to raise up a prophet like Moses — a promise Christians see fulfilled in Jesus, who is prophet, priest, and king.
Key Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 18:18
“I will raise up for them a prophet (navi) like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.”
What Is the Root of Navi in Hebrew?
Navi likely comes from the Akkadian root nabu, meaning 'to call, to proclaim.' A navi is both one who is called by God and one who calls out God's message. The plural, nevi'im, is the name for the Prophets section of the Hebrew Bible. An older Hebrew word for prophet was 'ro'eh' (seer), emphasizing the visionary aspect (1 Samuel 9:9).
What Does Navi Mean in the Bible?
Navi appears over 300 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to individual prophets (Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah), false prophets who speak their own words (Deuteronomy 18:20; Jeremiah 23:16), and the prophetic office itself. The Nevi'im (Prophets) is the second major division of the Hebrew Bible, after the Torah.
How Is Navi Used in Modern Hebrew?
The Hebrew Bible is divided into three sections: Torah (Teaching), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — collectively called the TaNaKh. The prophetic tradition profoundly influenced the concept of social justice; prophets like Amos, Micah, and Isaiah championed the poor and oppressed centuries before modern justice movements. The haftarah reading in synagogue services comes from the Nevi'im.
How to Use Navi in Prayer & Worship
Ask God to give you ears to hear His prophetic word — not necessarily foretelling the future, but faithfully speaking His truth in your generation. Pray for discernment to recognize the voice of the true Navi and courage to speak what God puts in your mouth, even when it's costly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navi
How do you say “Prophet” in Hebrew?
“Prophet” in Hebrew is Navi (נָבִיא), pronounced “na-VEE.” Navi likely comes from the Akkadian root nabu, meaning 'to call, to proclaim.' A navi is both one who is called by God and one who calls out God's message. The plural, nevi'im, is the name for the Prophets section of the Hebrew Bible. An older Hebrew word for prophet was 'ro'eh' (seer), emphasizing the visionary aspect (1 Samuel 9:9).
What does Navi mean in the Bible?
Navi (נָבִיא) means “Prophet, spokesperson, one who is called” in Biblical Hebrew. Navi appears over 300 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to individual prophets (Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah), false prophets who speak their own words (Deuteronomy 18:20; Jeremiah 23:16), and the prophetic office itself. The Nevi'im (Prophets) is the second major division of the Hebrew Bible, after the Torah.
How do you pronounce Navi?
Navi is pronounced “na-VEE.” The word comes from the Hebrew root נ-ב-א.
What is the difference between a prophet and a seer in Hebrew?
The older Hebrew term for prophet was 'ro'eh' (רֹאֶה), meaning 'seer' — one who sees divine visions. First Samuel 9:9 notes this transition: 'He who is now called a prophet (navi) was formerly called a seer (ro'eh).' The shift from 'seer' to 'navi' reflects a broadening of the prophetic role: from receiving private visions to publicly proclaiming God's word. Both aspects remain: prophets both see (divine revelation) and speak (public proclamation).
Who was the greatest prophet in the Hebrew Bible?
Deuteronomy 34:10 explicitly states: 'There has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.' Moses holds a unique position because God spoke with him 'mouth to mouth' (Numbers 12:8), not through dreams or visions. Jewish tradition regards Moses as the supreme navi. For Christians, Deuteronomy 18:15 — 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me' — finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who surpasses even Moses (Hebrews 3:3).
How can you tell a true prophet from a false one?
The Torah provides two tests: (1) Accuracy — if a prophet's prediction doesn't come true, they are false (Deuteronomy 18:22); (2) Theology — even if a prophet performs signs, if they lead people away from the God of Israel, they are false (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Jeremiah adds a third test: true prophets often bring uncomfortable truth, while false prophets tell people what they want to hear (Jeremiah 23:16-22). Jesus warned, 'By their fruits you will know them' (Matthew 7:16).
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H5030: Navi
- Bible Gateway — Deuteronomy 18:18 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for נ-ב-א
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