What is the Function of a Prophet?

The Hebrew word for prophet is nabi ~ mouthpiece.

A naby’ of YHWH is devoid of his own message, acting only as a conduit for YHWH.

Everything he says while acting in official capacity for YHWH, either in word or written word, must bear fruit and come to pass as stated without error. Otherwise, you’ll know he is not working for YHWH but speaking out of his own delusion.

Moseh and Dowd devoted their lives to guiding others and preserving YHWH’s words for future generations. Though they sometimes stumbled in their personal lives, every word they wrote or spoke as naby’im was correct, authorized, and validated by YHWH.

A naby’ does not speak from human knowledge or perspective, but as a vessel through which YHWH’s message flows. This is why and how YHWH raised up even a humble young shepherd boy like Dowd. The naby’ were not about human displays of power, personal message, wealth, or human wisdom. The naby’ of YHWH were willing conduits for His voice, never their own.

So, how many times can a man speak falsely in YHWH’s name, twist His feasts, promote human sacrifice, and still be excused?

The authorized prophets warned us long ago not to fear or follow such voices, especially in these last days:

“Cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for what is he to be esteemed?” (Isaiah 2:22)

“The fear, respect and dread of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in YHWH is set securely on high.” (Proverbs 29:25)

The answer is clear: do not give weight to mortals who deceive in the name of YHWH, particularly those falsely running where they were not sent. Instead, revere YHWH alone and walk in His ways (Deut. 10:12–13).

“Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” declares YHWH, “who steal My words from one another. Behold, I am against the prophets who use their own tongues and declare, ‘He says.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams… and lead My people astray with their lies and reckless boasting, when I did not send them or command them; and they do not profit this people at all,” declares YHWH. (Jeremiah 23:30–32)

“And He said, ‘Now please hear My official declaration {wayomer} please attentively listen, and respond accordingly to {shim’uw n`a ~ engage to hear, understand and then respond, emphatic particle ~ please!} My statement on the matter {d’abary ~ to arrange words in order with legal implication}. When coming to pass {im yih’yeh} a naby`a ~ spokesperson bubbling up as a conduit of flowing language among yourselves {n’abi’akhem ~ to bubble up with speech flowing through them, to be empty of one’s own purpose and flow with the words of another ~ construct form; from nab`a ~ to receive and express words; related to nabab ~ to be hollow, to allow flow,to open; related to nuwb ~ to bear fruit, to bring forth results, pour forth, bubble, gush, sprout, yield fruit, or flow; `akhem ~ plural, second person}, I, YHWH {YHWH}, within the prophetic vision which appears {bamar’ah ~ among that which is seen in the mind’s eye and vocalized with words, telling a vision, to flow with insight; from mar`ah ~ the crop of a bird, the throat of a messenger bird; a waking revelation, perceiving something being visually shown} to him {`elaw}, specifically, I will cause Myself to be known {et’wada ~ hitpael imperfect, unfolding reflexive; imperfect indicates unfolding, ongoing and incomplete actions with the reflexive nuance making YHWH both the subject and object which the verb yada is acting, “I, Yahowah, am doing the action of making Myself the object of knowledge causing Me to become known”; from the verbal root yad‘a ~ to make oneself known, to reveal oneself, to let oneself be experienced or understood; first person, singular} in and by subconscious thought {b’ hachalom ~ a dream-state as a series of thoughts, images, or feelings which occur during sleep as a natural altered state of awareness, subconscious thought} I will purposefully arrange words into him {`adaber bo huw`a ~ piel imperfect first-person, singular gives a sense of emphatic, deliberative, and authoritative speech which is not casual or random in nature; huw`a is in third person, masculine, singular - the individual receiving the message from YHWH directly}.’” (BaMidbar 12:6)

Shortened translation:

“And He said, ‘Now hear My official declaration, please attentively listen, and respond accordingly to My statement on the matter. When a naby`a ~ spokesperson bubbling up as a conduit of flowing language ~ comes to exist among yourselves, YHWH, within the prophetic vision which appears to him specifically, I will cause Myself to be known in and by subconscious thought I will purposefully arrange words into him."

I translated this particular passage deeply for study purposes so you can see the clear meaning of a nabi's role and how YHWH works with His co-workers. While my deep-dive translation is just that, my own personal study, I hope it encourages you all to dive in and get familiar with YHWH's words for yourselves.