Social teachings of the eighth century prophets

[The meaning of the word prophet is, one who speaks forth a message. It represents in scripture a Hebrew, word nabhi, which means speaker, or rather spokesman, one who speaks for another. Prediction may be an aspect of the prophet’s message, but it is no part of the meaning of the word either in Greek or Hebrew. The prophet is not characteristically one who foretells the future: he forthtells the Divine word. His task is to interpret the present, under guidance of the spirit of God which possesses him. He hears and speaks- that is his function.