What is a…
seer

Hebrew: רֹאֶה —transliteration: ro'eh —occurrences: 25 verses

This is an early title applied to the prophets because of the Divine revelations granted they were granted to see visions. This title also emphasized their perceptive insight, and their function was primarily to provide directive counsel from God.

It is first found in the book of Samuel.

“(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.)” —1 Samuel 9:9

The term appears in the Old Testament and is tied to true prophets of God. The name seer is applied…

• Zadok (2 Samuel 15:27)

• Gad (David's seer)

  “Then David arose in the morning, and the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying…” —2 Samuel 24:11 LSB

• Samuel (1 Chronicles 9:22)
• Heman (1 Chronicles 25:5)
• Iddo (2 Chronicles 9:29)
• Amos (Amos 7:12)

More information

• What is a prophet in the Bible? and who is one?
• What does the Bible say about visions?
• What is the Word of God?
• Answers about prophecy and the Bible
• PROPHECY—Is there valid prophetic evidence that the Bible is God’s Word?
• List of Messianic Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ
• Answers about God
• How can we know there’s a God?
• What is God’s providence?
• What is the “sovereignty of God”?
• THE FEAR OF THE LORD—What is it? Why is it very important?
• What is a false prophet?
• What is divination?