Bible Dictionary
Seer
A seer was an older title for a prophet, emphasizing one who received insight or vision from God. The term was especially associated with Samuel and later with prophetic advisers and historians of Israel’s kings.
Definition
A seer was a person associated with prophetic vision and insight from God. The designation is represented by two Hebrew terms and was an older name for those later commonly called prophets. It was also used of certain prophetic advisers and historians connected with Israel’s kings.
Biblical Usage
Samuel is presented as a seer by preeminence. Later seers are associated with kings, prophetic counsel, praise, and historical records. Their insight is traced to God’s Spirit, not to mere fortune-telling, though Scripture sometimes distinguishes seers from prophets.
Historical Background
The older designation appears especially in Samuel’s time and became less common afterward. The precise distinction between a seer and a prophet is difficult to establish.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A name sometimes applied to the prophets because of the visions granted to them. It is first found in 1 Sam. 9:9. It is afterwards applied to Zadok, Gad, etc. (2 Sam. 15:27; 24:11; 1 Chr. 9:22; 25:5; 2 Chr. 9:29; Amos 7:12; Micah 3:7). The “sayings of the seers” (2 Chr. 33:18, 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.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>se'-er, ser: The word in English Versions of the Bible represents two Hebrew words, ro'eh (1Sa 9:9,11,18,19; 2Sa 15:27; 1Ch 9:22, etc.), And chozeh (2Sa 24:11; 2Ki 17:13; 1Ch 21:9; 25:5; 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 1Sa 9:9 that "seer" (ro'-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 ro'-eh by pr-eeminence, and the name is little used after his time. Individuals who bear the title "seer" (chozeh) are mentioned in connection with the kings and as historiographers (2Sa 24:11; 1Ch 21:9; 25:5; 29:29; 2Ch 9:29; 12:15; 19:2, etc.), and distinction is sometimes made between "prophets" and "seers" (2Ki 17:13; 1Ch 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.</p><p>See PROPHET; PROPHECY.</p><p>James Orr</p>