The English **prophet** descends through several linguistic layers: 1. **Ancient Greek:** **προφήτης (prophētēs)** Literally “one who speaks before” or “one who speaks forth.” - _pro-_ = before, on behalf of - _phēmi_ = to speak In Greek [[Religion]], a _prophētēs_ was an interpreter of a god’s will—often the articulate intermediary who explained oracular messages. 2. **Latin:** **propheta** Adopted with almost no shift in meaning: a person who delivers divine messages, usually within a religious or scriptural frame. 3. **Old French:** **prophete** The term remains tied to biblical authority, now familiar through Christian texts. 4. **Middle English:** **prophete / prophet** Entering English mainly via biblical translation and commentary, the plural stabilises as **prophets**. --- ### **Semantic shifts across time** Though the genealogy is relatively linear, the **meaning** of “prophet” has broadened and shifted considerably. **1. From divine intermediary to moral critic** In the Hebrew Bible, the equivalent term _navi’_ refers not simply to a foreteller but to someone who **confronts kings, communities, and injustice**. Through the Septuagint, _navi’_ was rendered as _prophētēs_, and this ethical dimension entered Greek and later Christian usage. Thus the prophet becomes: - a moral voice, - a social challenger, - not merely a predictor. **2. From interpreter of divine will to visionary figure** Early Christian and later medieval writings extend the meaning to include those who [[Perception|perceive]] God’s plan for history. The prophet is someone who “sees deeply,” not only someone who speaks. **3. From religious office to cultural archetype** By the early modern period, “prophet” begins to detach from strict religious authority. It comes to describe: - reformers, - radical visionaries, - social critics whose insights appear ahead of their time. Milton, Blake, and other writers adopt the term in this wider sense. **4. From sacred role to secular metaphor** In contemporary usage, “prophet” can mean: - a political or artistic visionary, - one who warns of coming crisis, - or someone whose [[Intuition]] marks an emerging future. This secular sense preserves the idea of **foresight and truth-telling**, even when divine inspiration is no longer implied. --- ### **Summary of the semantic trajectory** Greek _prophētēs_ (interpreter of a god) → Biblical _navi’_ mapped onto _prophētēs_ (moral challenger and divine messenger) → Latin and Old French _propheta/prophete_ (scriptural authority) → Middle English _prophet_ (religious figure) → Modern English _prophet_ (from divinely inspired messenger to visionary, critic, or forewarner). --- If you desire a shorter capsule version or a version integrated into a broader argument about authority, [[charisma]], or social critique, I can prepare that for you, Lord Thomas. `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`