Seer

From BibleEncyclopedia.Net

sē´ẽr, sēr:

A name sometimes applied to the prophets because of the visions granted to them. It is first found in 1 Samuel 9:9. It is afterwards applied to Zadok, Gad, etc. (2 Samuel 15:27; 2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 9:22; 1 Chronicles 25:5; 2 Chronicles 9:29; Amos 7:12; Micah 3:7). The “sayings of the seers” (2 Chronicles 33:18, 2 Chronicles 33:19) is rendered in the Revised Version “the history of Hozai” (marg., the seers; so the LXX.), of whom, however, nothing is known. See Prophet.

The word in English Versions of the Bible represents two Hebrew words, ראה, rō'eh (1 Samuel 9:9, 1 Samuel 9:11, 1 Samuel 9:18, 1 Samuel 9:19; 2 Samuel 15:27; 1 Chronicles 9:22, etc.), And חזה, ḥōzeh (2 Samuel 24:11; 2 Kings 17:13; 1 Chronicles 21:9; 1 Chronicles 25:5; 1 Chronicles 29:29, etc.). The former designation is from the ordinary verb “to see”; the latter is connected with the verb used of prophetic vision. It appears from 1 Samuel 9:9 that “seer” (rō'eh) was the older name for those who, after the rise of the more regular orders, were called “prophets.” It is not just, however, to speak of the “seers” or “prophets” of Samuel's time as on the level of mere fortune-tellers. What insight or vision they possessed is traced to God's Spirit. Samuel was the rō'eh by pr-eeminence, and the name is little used after his time. Individuals who bear the title “seer” (ḥōzeh) are mentioned in connection with the kings and as historiographers (2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:9; 1 Chronicles 25:5; 1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 12:15; 2 Chronicles 19:2, etc.), and distinction is sometimes made between “prophets” and “seers” (2 Kings 17:13; 1 Chronicles 29:29, etc.). Havernick thinks that “seer” denotes one who does not belong to the regular prophetic order (Introductions to Old Testament, 50 ff, English translation), but it is not easy to fix a precise distinction.

See Prophecy; Prophets.