Noun

Singular prophet

Plural prophets

prophet (plural prophets)

1. Someone who speaks by divine inspiration.
2. Someone who predicts the future; a soothsayer.

Derived terms

• prophecy n
• prophesise, prophesize nonstandard
• prophesy v
• prophetess n

In religion, a prophet is a person who has been contacted by, or has encountered, the supernatural or the divine, and is often one who serves as an intermediary with humanity.

Claims of prophets have existed in many cultures through history, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the Sybilline and Delphic Oracles practices in Ancient Greece, Zoroaster, the Völuspá in Old Norse, and many others. Traditionally, prophets are regarded as having a role in society that promotes change due to their messages and actions. The label 'prophet' is subjective; a person considered an authentic prophet by some will be considered a false prophet by others. In the late 20th century the appellation of a 'prophet' has been used to refer to individuals particularly successful at analysis in the field of economics, such as in the derogatory 'prophet of greed'.

Alternatively, social commentators who suggest escalating crisis are often called "prophets of doom.'

Prophet may refer to

• Moses
• Jesus of Nazareth
• Prophet Muhammad

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