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The First Use of “Prophet” in Scripture

Genesis 20:7 marks the first instance in the Bible where the term “prophet” (na·viʼʹ) is applied to a person, and that person is Abraham. The passage states, “Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you will surely die, you and all who are yours.” This divine message was given to Abimelech, king of Gerar, in a dream after he had taken Sarah into his household, unaware that she was already married to Abraham. Jehovah’s declaration that Abraham was a prophet carries significant implications, not only for Abraham himself but also for how prophecy is understood in the broader biblical context.

Unlike later prophets such as Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah, Abraham is not primarily known for predicting future events or delivering public oracles. However, this passage indicates that prophecy, in its earliest biblical usage, was not solely about foretelling the future. Instead, a prophet was fundamentally a person who received divine revelation and acted as an intercessor between God and others. In Abraham’s case, he was chosen as a mediator whose prayers carried special weight before Jehovah. This is demonstrated when God commands Abimelech to seek Abraham’s intercession, saying, “He will pray for you and you will live.”

Abraham as a Spokesman for Jehovah

While Genesis 20:7 is the only place in Genesis where Abraham is explicitly called a prophet, his life demonstrates that he acted as one in multiple ways. One key characteristic of a prophet is that he serves as a spokesperson for Jehovah, delivering messages or revelations. Abraham’s entire journey, from his calling out of Ur to his interactions with rulers and his obedience to God’s commands, illustrates his role as one who communicated divine truth.

Abraham’s prophetic role began when Jehovah called him to leave his homeland: “Go from your country and your relatives and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-2). This divine commission set him apart as one who carried Jehovah’s promises and was tasked with making them known. His very life became a proclamation of Jehovah’s unfolding plan for His people.

Additionally, in Genesis 18:17-19, Jehovah reveals His plans to Abraham before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. This intimate disclosure demonstrates that Abraham had a unique relationship with Jehovah, one in which he was entrusted with divine knowledge, another key aspect of a prophet’s role. Furthermore, Abraham pleaded on behalf of Sodom, displaying the intercessory function of a prophet: “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23). His persistent negotiations with Jehovah on behalf of the city highlight the close communication between Jehovah and His prophets.

Abraham’s Prophetic Intercession

Another defining role of a prophet is acting as an intercessor. In Genesis 20:7, Jehovah tells Abimelech that Abraham will pray for him, emphasizing Abraham’s unique standing as an intermediary. This was not the only time Abraham interceded on behalf of others. In addition to pleading for Sodom, Abraham also interceded for his own family. When Jehovah told him that Sarah would bear a son, Abraham interceded on behalf of Ishmael: “O that Ishmael might live before you!” (Genesis 17:18).

The intercessory role of prophets is evident throughout the Old Testament. Moses repeatedly prayed for Israel when they sinned (Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:13-20). Samuel viewed intercessory prayer as a core responsibility of a prophet, saying, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah by ceasing to pray for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23). Abraham’s prophetic identity is thus consistent with the role of later prophets, who not only spoke on behalf of Jehovah but also prayed for others.

Prophets as Witnesses to Jehovah’s Covenants

Another important characteristic of a prophet is being a witness to Jehovah’s covenants. Abraham was at the center of one of the most significant covenants in biblical history—the Abrahamic covenant, in which Jehovah promised to make Abraham a great nation and to bless all the families of the earth through his offspring (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:4-5; 17:4-8).

The covenantal role of prophets is a theme throughout the Bible. Moses mediated the covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19-24), Samuel anointed Israel’s first kings (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13), and later prophets called Israel back to faithfulness to Jehovah’s covenant. In this way, Abraham as a prophet foreshadowed the later role of prophets in guiding and preserving the covenant relationship between Jehovah and His people.

The Criteria of a True Prophet

Later in Israel’s history, Jehovah provided criteria for distinguishing true prophets from false ones. Deuteronomy 18:22 states, “When a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the word does not come true or come to pass, that is a word Jehovah has not spoken.” This criterion primarily applies to prophets who delivered specific predictions. However, Deuteronomy 13:1-5 gives another important test: a true prophet must not lead people away from Jehovah, even if his signs or predictions come true.

While Abraham is not recorded as having given detailed predictions, he certainly spoke the truth about Jehovah’s promises and never led people away from Jehovah. In fact, Jehovah specifically commanded him, “Walk before me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1). His faithfulness to Jehovah’s revelations, along with his intercessory prayers, established him as a true prophet.

Abraham’s Prophetic Message and Its Fulfillment

Though Abraham is not known for public prophecy, his life was a prophetic testimony to Jehovah’s faithfulness. Jehovah had promised him, “I will make you into a great nation,” and despite the obstacles—Sarah’s barrenness, their advanced age, and the long wait—this promise was fulfilled in the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3). The ultimate fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise came through Abraham’s descendants, as the nation of Israel emerged and Jehovah’s purposes continued to unfold.

Abraham’s actions also prophetically pointed to Jehovah’s future dealings with humanity. His willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice in Genesis 22 foreshadowed the principle of substitutionary atonement, though Jehovah provided a ram in Isaac’s place (Genesis 22:13). This act demonstrated Abraham’s deep faith and trust in Jehovah’s promises.

Genesis 20:7 provides a profound insight into the nature of biblical prophecy by identifying Abraham as the first person called a prophet in Scripture. His prophetic role was not defined by foretelling the future but by his close relationship with Jehovah, his role as an intercessor, and his function as a witness to Jehovah’s covenant. Throughout his life, Abraham communicated divine truth, pleaded on behalf of others, and demonstrated unwavering faith in Jehovah’s promises.

His designation as a prophet affirms that biblical prophecy is not limited to predicting future events but includes a broader role of speaking, acting, and interceding according to Jehovah’s revealed will. Abraham’s life serves as a foundational example of what it means to be a prophet, paving the way for later figures such as Moses, Samuel, and Elijah. His faithfulness to Jehovah’s word and his covenantal relationship with Him remain central themes in biblical history.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).