In the Bible, a seer was someone who had a supernatural ability to “see” or perceive things that ordinary people could not. The term is used interchangeably with “prophet” and refers to someone who received divine revelations or visions from God. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about seers:
The Definition and Role of a Seer
The Hebrew word for seer is “ro’eh” which literally means “one who sees.” It refers to a prophet who received divine visions and revelations from God. For example, 1 Samuel 9:9 states, “Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: ‘Come, let us go to the seer,’ for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.” This indicates that seers performed a similar function as prophets – they acted as God’s spokespersons and received His messages to deliver to others.
Some key roles and abilities of biblical seers include:
- Receiving visions, dreams, and divine revelations from God
- Communicating God’s messages to kings and people
- Providing guidance, warning, and insight regarding future events
- Discerning God’s will in matters
- Exposing sin and calling people to repentance
- Acting as God’s prophetic voice
In the time of Samuel, “seer” was the more common term for a prophet in Israel. Samuel himself was considered both a seer and a prophet (1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Chronicles 9:22). Later, the term “prophet” became more widely used, but a seer still refers to someone who receives divine visions from God.
Examples of Seers in the Bible
Here are some examples of individuals described as seers in the Bible:
Samuel
Samuel was the first seer mentioned in the Bible and famously anointed Saul and David as kings of Israel. “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:19-20).
Gad
Gad was King David’s seer who gave him divine counsel such as instructing David to return to Judah after fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 22:5). “Now the prophet Gad said to David, ‘Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah'” (2 Samuel 24:11).
Iddo
Iddo was a seer who wrote historical accounts of King Solomon’s reign as well as the prophetic book called “The Annals of Iddo the Seer” (2 Chronicles 9:29, 12:15).
Asaph
Asaph is described as a seer along with David, Heman, and Jeduthun (2 Chronicles 29:30). He was one of the chief musicians appointed by King David and composed Psalms.
Jeduthun
Jeduthun was one of three seers appointed by David to minister with music before the Lord (1 Chronicles 25:1-6). The sons of Jeduthun are also described as prophets and seers who prophesied with lyres, harps and cymbals (1 Chronicles 25:3).
Hanani
Hanani the seer rebuked King Asa for relying on Syria instead of the Lord, for which he was imprisoned (2 Chronicles 16:7-10). His son Jehu the seer also gave a message to King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 19:2).
Heman
Heman is named as “the king’s seer” along with Asaph and Jeduthun (1 Chronicles 25:5). He and his sons were appointed as musicians to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals.
These examples demonstrate how seers functioned as God’s prophets and spokespersons, providing His divine revelations to kings and nations. Their visions provided guidance, warning, and truth from the Lord.
Seers Compared to Prophets
The roles of seers and prophets often overlapped and the terms were sometimes used interchangeably. However, here are some of the differences between their prophetic gifts:
- Seers focused more on receiving divine visions and revelations, whereas prophets also proclaimed God’s word.
- Seers operated more at the individual level providing guidance to leaders, while prophets often delivered messages to the entire nation.
- The term “seer” refers specifically to visions, while “prophet” is broader and includes dreams, speaking direct revelation from God, and predictive prophecies.
- “Seer” emphasizes the visual reception of the divine message, while “prophet” focuses on the verbal transmission.
- Seers discerned God’s will in private matters, while prophets declared His word on wider public issues.
While seers centered more on visions, the prophetic gift included both visual and verbal communication from God. Seers were concerned less with future predictions and more with divinely inspired direction in the present time.
Controversial Aspects of Seers
There are a few controversial issues that emerge related to seers in the Bible:
Necromancy
While most seers accessed visions from God, some practiced divination and necromancy prohibited in Scripture. For example, King Saul sinfully consulted the medium/seer of Endor to summon the spirit of Samuel (1 Samuel 28:8-20). This contributed to his condemnation.
False Seers
Along with true seers from God, the Bible warns of false seers who prophesied lies and deception. Jeremiah 23:16 states, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.'” People had to discern between true and false seers.
Cessation of Seers
Some believe that with the closure of the biblical canon, the gift of seers and prophets has ceased. Others believe seers could still exist today. This remains a theological debate among Christians.
Major Lessons from Biblical Seers
Here are some key lessons we can learn from seers in the Bible:
- God speaks through those who have spiritual ears to hear – we should listen to anointed voices (2 Kings 17:13).
- Not all seers are true – test words against Scripture and godly wisdom (Jeremiah 23:16).
- God’s Kingdom is revealed to those with spiritual sight – we can pray for prophetic vision (Matthew 16:17).
- Divine visions provide guidance and warning – God cares to redirect our paths if we listen (1 Samuel 9:9).
- Reject necromancy and occult – gain insight only from the Spirit of God (Leviticus 19:31).
- Prophetic gifts are meant to edify others – seers pointed people to God (1 Corinthians 14:3).
The ministry of biblical seers reminds us of the insights, blessings, and warnings God provides through those gifted to see, hear and communicate His truth. Their examples encourage us to pursue deeper spiritual vision while testing all revelation against God’s word.
Visions and Dreams Today
There is debate about whether the gift of being a seer with divine visions continues in modern times. Here are two main perspectives:
Cessationist View
Some believe the office and gift of being a seer ended with the completion of the biblical canon. Just as apostles and prophets fade from church offices, seers were part of the foundation of the early church. The need for divine vision is past since we now have the full written revelation of God in Scripture.
Continuationist View
Others believe God still grants visions, dreams and divine revelation today, though always subject to the authority of Scripture. God may still reveal prophetic mysteries and provide direction to His people individually, though not at the level of inspired Scripture. Modern stories of Muslims dreaming of Jesus and visions leading to conversions may reflect God still speaking through seer gifts.
This topic is debated among believers, and Christians maintain different stances. But all agree the Bible is sufficient and contains the ultimate revelation and vision of God for life.
Verses about Seers
Here are some Bible verses that mention seers and their prophetic ministry:
They answered him, “He is; there is no one besides him. Now he is in the house of Samuel the seer.” (1 Samuel 9:11, ESV)
Then David went over to the Philistine camp, and he asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me into the Philistine camp?” “I’ll go with you,” said Abishai. So David and Abishai went right into the Philistine army, and there he was—Goliath! Abishai killed him with one stroke from his spear. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. With Goliath’s own sword, David killed him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. (1 Chronicles 11:15-16, ESV)
As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. (Daniel 1:17, ESV)
Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. (Hebrews 1:1-2, ESV)
These key verses demonstrate how seers received divine visions and revelations from God to guide, instruct, and warn His people according to His will and purposes.
Conclusion
In summary, seers in the Bible were people gifted by God to receive divine visions, dreams, and revelations that provided spiritual insight, direction, and truth. Though often overlapping with prophets, seers had a more visual prophetic gifting that unlocked the spiritual mysteries of God’s will, plan, and Kingdom. Key seers include Samuel, Gad, Asaph, and others who operated under the Spirit’s inspiration to point people toward God. The examples and messages of these biblical seers continue to instruct and edify the church today concerning the Lord’s supernatural guidance.
However, believers are called to test all spiritual visions against the sole authority of Scripture. God may still speak through dreams and impressions today, but they never contradict or add to the Word. Discernment regarding modern seers is needed, as Scripture alone contains the ultimate divine vision into godly living and eternal life by grace through faith.
