1 Samuel 9:9
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
Original Language Analysis
לְפָנִ֖ים
Beforetime
H6440
לְפָנִ֖ים
Beforetime
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
1 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
הָאִישׁ֙
when a man
H376
הָאִישׁ֙
when a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּלֶכְתּוֹ֙
H1980
בְּלֶכְתּוֹ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִדְר֣וֹשׁ
to enquire
H1875
לִדְר֣וֹשׁ
to enquire
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְכ֥וּ
H1980
לְכ֥וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנֵֽלְכָ֖ה
H1980
וְנֵֽלְכָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
11 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הָֽרֹאֶֽה׃
a Seer
H7200
הָֽרֹאֶֽה׃
a Seer
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
12 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַיּ֔וֹם
for he that is now
H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם
for he that is now
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יִקָּרֵ֥א
called
H7121
יִקָּרֵ֥א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
16 of 18
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Isaiah 30:10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:1 Chronicles 29:29Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,1 Chronicles 26:28And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.Amos 7:12Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:2 Kings 17:13Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.2 Samuel 24:11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,Isaiah 29:10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.Genesis 25:22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
Historical Context
The terminological shift from 'seer' to 'prophet' likely occurred during the monarchical period. Some scholars suggest 'seer' was associated with more localized, consultative functions while 'prophet' carried broader national significance. By the time of the classical prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah), 'prophet' had become the dominant term, though 'seer' remained in occasional use (Isaiah 30:10; Amos 7:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How has the church's understanding and terminology of spiritual gifts and offices evolved over time?
- What continuity exists between the Old Testament prophetic office and New Testament ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
This parenthetical editorial note provides crucial linguistic and historical context, indicating the book's composition occurred after significant time had passed since the events described. The distinction between ro'eh ('seer,' from the root 'to see') and nabi ('prophet,' suggesting one who speaks forth) reflects evolving terminology in Israel's prophetic tradition. The seer emphasized visionary reception of divine revelation, while the prophet emphasized proclamation of God's message. Samuel embodied both functions, seeing what God revealed and speaking what God commanded. This verse also subtly legitimizes prophetic consultation as an appropriate means of 'enquiring of God' (lidrosh elohim), a practice that would later face abuse when people sought prophets while ignoring God's written word. The explanation bridges the reader's contemporary understanding with ancient practice.