Genesis 20:7

He is a prophet. This is the first occurrence of the term “prophet,” nabi’. It is derived from the root word naba’, which means “to proclaim,” “to call out,” “to declare.”

As used in the Bible, the word “prophet,” nabi’, therefore describes one who proclaims divine messages. These may relate to the past, the present, or the future, and may consist of description, exhortation, instruction, consolation, or prediction. The term conveys, furthermore, the idea of being an intermediary. The English word “prophet” comes from the Greek prophetes, a combination of the preposition pro, “for,” or “on behalf of,” with the verb phemi, “to speak.” He speaks for someone. He may speak to man on behalf of God, or vice versa. It seems clear from v. 7 that Abraham was here spoken of as a prophet in the latter sense; he was to pray to God on behalf of Abimelech.

The fact that the term nabi’ is first used here does not preclude belief that the Spirit of prophecy was found among men from the very beginning (Gen. 9:25-27; Acts 3:21; Jude 14, 15). The charge that the use of this term in the books of Moses proves that they cannot be older than the time of Samuel, before which a prophet was called a “seer” (1 Sam. 9:9), is likewise invalid. As used by Moses the term usually applies to a recipient of divine revelations. During the period of the judges the term “seer,” ro’eh, appears to have come into use and to have held its ground until the time of Samuel, when the older term in turn replaced it.

He shall pray for thee. The value of intercessory prayer is stated forcefully in James 5:16. The promise to Abimelech that he would regain his health through the intercession of Abraham supports the principle that a righteous man may become the channel through which divine blessing can flow to others (see Acts 9:17, 18). It is the purpose of God to direct to His human representatives those who are susceptible to truth.