Paula asserts that the Greek word “prophetes” is a narrow word, and that “nabi” is open. In truth, they are directly proportional in terminology since the time of Samuel. That’s not a slight against Paula here, it is easy to miss certain pieces of the language puzzle. In truth, when I first started researching the two words because of an incident in Saul’s life, I thought it was the other way around- that “prophetes” was the more open term, and “nabi” was the narrower. It’s a wonder as to which word informed which.
1 Samuel 10:5
After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison [is]. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.
Most scholars, Jewish and Christian, agree that this is referring to a group of people who were disciples or students of the Prophet Samuel, and not prophets as described by God in Deuteronomy 18:18.
Paula’s description of what a Prophet is, is spot on throughout this section though. Her use of God’s words to Moses that Aaron would be his Prophet is a great illustration of the operation of the Prophet.
