prophecy

Christian and Jewish prophecy (Hebrew: נבואה nĕbuw'ah, nf. prophecy, prediction, soothsaying, precognition, prevision, false, prophetic writing) refers to passages in the bible that predict future events and that are believed to be divinely inspired revelation. In a broad sense, prophecy is the prediction of future events.

The etymology of the word is:

1) to prophesy

a) (Niphal)

1) to prophesy
a) under influence of divine spirit
b) of false prophets

b) (Hithpael)

1) to prophesy
a) under influence of divine spirit
b) of false prophets

Throughout history, people have sought knowledge of future events from special individuals or groups who were thought to have the gift of prophecy, such as Oracles at Delphi in ancient Greece. Cultures in which prophecy played an important role include the North American Indians, Mayans, Celts, Druids, Chinese, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Egyptians, Hindus, Hebrews, Tibetans, Greeks, and many in the Christian tradition, among others.

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