feminine of נָבִיא; a prophetess or (generally) inspired woman; by implication, a poetess; by association a prophet's wife; prophetess.
Transliteration:nᵉbîyʼâh
Pronunciation:neb-ee-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נְבִיאָה (nᵉbîyʼâh, `{{H5031}}`) is the feminine form of נָבִיא (nābîʾ, `{{H5030}}`), which denotes a prophet. At its core, נְבִיאָה signifies a "prophetess," a woman who receives divine revelation and speaks on behalf of God. The semantic range extends beyond simply a female prophet to encompass a broader understanding of an "inspired woman." This inspiration could manifest in various forms, including prophetic utterance, poetic expression, or even leadership guided by divine insight. By implication, the term can also refer to a "poetess," especially in contexts where inspired speech takes a poetic form (e.g., Miriam's song in [[Exodus 15]]). Furthermore, by association, it can denote "a prophet's wife," though this usage is less about her inherent prophetic gift and more about her marital status to a prophet. The primary emphasis, however, remains on the direct divine inspiration and authoritative communication of God's word.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נְבִיאָה (nᵉbîyʼâh, `{{H5031}}`) appears several times in the Hebrew Bible, designating specific women who played pivotal roles in Israel's history:
* **Miriam:** The first woman explicitly called a נְבִיאָה is Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron ([[Exodus 15:20]]). Following the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, she leads the women in a song of praise and dance, demonstrating her role as a spiritual leader and one who articulates divine truth through inspired song. Her prophetic role is further implied in [[Numbers 12:2]], where God acknowledges speaking through both Moses and Aaron and Miriam, though her later challenge to Moses' authority results in temporary leprosy.
* **Deborah:** In the period of the Judges, Deborah is identified as a נְבִיאָה ([[Judges 4:4]]). Her role is unique as she functions not only as a prophetess but also as a judge, holding court under a palm tree and rendering decisions based on divine wisdom. She delivers God's command to Barak to lead the Israelite army against Sisera and even accompanies him into battle, demonstrating her unparalleled authority and the practical application of her prophetic insight in military and political affairs.
* **Huldah:** During the reign of King Josiah, when the Book of the Law is discovered, Huldah is consulted as a נְבִיאָה ([[2 Kings 22:14]]; [[2 Chronicles 34:22]]). Her prophetic word confirms the authenticity of the scroll and pronounces God's judgment and mercy upon Judah and King Josiah, respectively. Her counsel is sought by the highest authorities, underscoring the respect and authority accorded to her divine pronouncements.
* **Isaiah's Wife:** The prophet Isaiah refers to his wife as "the prophetess" (הַנְּבִיאָה, ha-nᵉbîyʼâh) in [[Isaiah 8:3]]. While the text does not explicitly detail her prophetic activities, her designation as "the prophetess" could imply that she herself possessed prophetic gifts, or it could simply be an honorific title due to her marriage to a prophet, or perhaps it refers to her role in bearing a child whose name (Maher-shalal-hash-baz) served as a prophetic sign.
* **Noadiah:** In a negative context, Noadiah is mentioned by Nehemiah as a "prophetess" who, along with other prophets, sought to intimidate him and hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls ([[Nehemiah 6:14]]). This instance highlights that not all who claimed the title or functioned in a prophetic capacity were necessarily true messengers of God, underscoring the biblical emphasis on discerning true prophecy from false.
These occurrences demonstrate that a נְבִיאָה was a woman divinely chosen and empowered to speak God's word, often holding positions of significant spiritual, social, and even political influence within ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of נְבִיאָה (nᵉbîyʼâh, `{{H5031}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other key biblical terms and concepts:
* **נָבִיא (nābîʾ, `{{H5030}}`):** This is the masculine counterpart, the standard term for a prophet. The shared root emphasizes that the core function of speaking for God, receiving divine revelation, and delivering God's message is identical for both male and female prophets. The distinction is primarily grammatical, denoting gender.
* **נְבוּאָה (nᵉbûʼâ, `{{H5016}}`):** This noun refers to "prophecy" itself, the message or utterance delivered by a prophet or prophetess. It highlights the content and nature of their inspired communication.
* **רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים (rûaḥ ʼĕlōhîm, `{{H7307}}` `{{H430}}`):** "Spirit of God." This concept is foundational to understanding prophecy. Both male and female prophets are empowered by the divine Spirit, which enables them to receive and declare God's will. The Spirit's presence is the ultimate source of their authority and insight.
* **Divine Revelation:** The broader theological concept of God actively disclosing His will, character, and plans to humanity. Prophets and prophetesses serve as conduits for this revelation.
* **Inspired Speech/Song:** The definition's implication of "poetess" links נְבִיאָה to the broader category of inspired verbal expression, which often took the form of poetry or song in ancient Israel (e.g., the Psalms, prophetic oracles).
* **Leadership Roles for Women:** The presence of prophetesses like Deborah and Huldah, who also held judicial or advisory roles, connects to the broader biblical theme of women exercising significant leadership and influence within their communities, often empowered by divine gifting.
### Theological Significance
The existence and roles of the נְבִיאָה (nᵉbîyʼâh, `{{H5031}}`) carry profound theological significance:
* **God's Impartiality in Calling:** The presence of prophetesses demonstrates that God's choice of messengers is not limited by gender. The divine gift of prophecy is bestowed according to God's sovereign will, highlighting His impartiality and His ability to use any individual, male or female, to convey His truth. This challenges any notion that divine communication is exclusively a male prerogative.
* **Divine Authority through Women:** Women like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah were not merely passive recipients of revelation but active, authoritative spokespersons for God. Their words carried the weight of divine decree, influencing national events, military strategies, and religious reforms. This underscores that women, when divinely appointed, can hold positions of significant spiritual authority.
* **Integral to Salvation History:** Prophetesses played crucial roles in pivotal moments of Israel's history. Miriam's leadership in the exodus, Deborah's role in delivering Israel from oppression, and Huldah's confirmation of the Law during Josiah's reform were essential for the unfolding of God's plan for His people. They were not peripheral figures but central to God's redemptive work.
* **Discernment of True and False Prophecy:** The negative example of Noadiah serves as a theological warning. Even if one claims the title of prophetess, the authenticity of their message must be tested against God's revealed will and their fruits, emphasizing the critical need for discernment in evaluating all claims of divine inspiration.
* **Holistic Nature of God's People:** The inclusion of prophetesses alongside prophets paints a more complete picture of God's people as a community where both men and women contribute their divinely given gifts for the common good and the advancement of God's kingdom.
### Summary
The term נְבִיאָה (nᵉbîyʼâh, `{{H5031}}`) designates a "prophetess," a divinely inspired woman who speaks on behalf of God. This term highlights God's sovereign choice to bestow the gift of prophecy irrespective of gender, empowering women to serve as authoritative channels of divine revelation. Figures such as Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah exemplify the profound impact and spiritual authority wielded by these prophetesses, who played crucial roles in Israel's history through inspired song, judicial leadership, and the confirmation of God's Law. While the term can also encompass an "inspired woman" or "poetess," and by association, "a prophet's wife," its primary significance lies in denoting a woman directly empowered by the Spirit of God to deliver His message. The biblical witness of the נְבִיאָה underscores God's impartiality in calling His messengers and the vital, authoritative contributions of women to His redemptive purposes.
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