“Question: “What was a seer in the Bible?”
Answer: A seer is a person who “sees.” In the Bible, a seer is another name for a prophet (see 1 Samuel 9:9). But, more specifically, a seer was a prophet who saw visions—pictures or scenes seen in the mind’s eye, in dreams, or even with one’s natural eye. God spoke to His people through prophets in different ways, and one way was through visions. Accompanying the ability to see visions, a seer was given insight into what God was saying by these visions.
There are a few different Hebrew words translated “seer.” Roeh (1 Samuel 9:11) and chozeh (2 Samuel 24:11) are the two most common. Second Chronicles 9:29 might differentiate between prophet and seer: “Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?” The distinction is probably that Nathan was God’s spokesman in the world (whether or not he had visions), while Iddo was specifically associated with “visions.” Another prophet, Jeremiah, also operated as a seer (see Jeremiah 1:11–13). Notice that God doesn’t ask Jeremiah what he “feels” or “thinks,” but rather what he “sees.” After Jeremiah sees the vision, God gives him insight into what the vision meant (Jeremiah 1:14–18).
The term seer isn’t used in the New Testament, but there were still prophets who had visions. Paul had a vision of heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), as did Stephen (Acts 7:55–56) and John (Revelation 1:12–16).
Seers in the Bible possessed a unique gift as God vividly communicated with and through them. Their faithfulness in writing down what they saw helped to complete the Word of God as we have it today.
Recommended Resource: Are Miraculous Gifts for Today – Four Views edited by Wayne Grudem
SEER
se’-er, ser:
The word in English Versions of the Bible represents two Hebrew words, ro’eh (1 Samuel 9:9,11,18,19;2 Samuel 15:27; 1 Chronicles 9:22, etc.), And chozeh (2 Samuel 24:11; 2 Kings 17:13; 1 Chronicles 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 1 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:9; 25:5; 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 19:2, etc.), and distinction is sometimes made between “prophets” and “seers” (2 Kings 17:13; 1 Chronicles 29:29, etc.). Havernick thinks that “seer” denotes one who does not belong to the regular prophetic order (Introductions to Old Testament, 50, English translation), but it is not easy to fix a precise distinction.
“I will stand my watch… to see what He will say to me…” (Habakkuk 2:1)
Simply expressed, prophecy can be defined as hearing the voice of God and speaking what He says. This gift is commonly experienced in two ways.
One is audial, meaning the one receiving the message hears words, which they then repeat/release. The other—the seer—is visual, meaning the receiver sees a message through some type of picture, which they then release. Generally, these pictures are either received while awake by means of visions, or while asleep through dreams. Many prophetic people will experience both aspects at various times, but they tend to have one that is more dominant or frequent.
Not everyone who prophesies is a prophet; however, scripture reveals that we can all prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1, 31). This means that every Spirit-filled believer—including you—can develop in the prophetic!
Varieties Of the Seer Gifting
Visual images or impressions: Sometimes when praying or prophesying over someone, the Holy Spirit will reveal an image. For example, I might see a scripture written like a banner over someone’s head, or get a mental picture that gives direction.
Dreams: Dreams enrich your life by giving encouragement, direction, insight for intercession, and revelation. I get much of my personal prophetic revelation through words rather than pictures, yet I also get many spiritual dreams and visions. Unless you hold the office of a prophet, most dreams are likely for your personal benefit. (See Job 33:14-16.)
Visions: This category would include things like open visions, audible messages, angelic encounters, open heavens, trances, being caught up in the Spirit, and heavenly visitations.
Developing The Gift
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do, for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does…” (John 5:19, 20)
Pursuing Intimacy
Scripture does not reveal exactly how Jesus saw all that His Father was doing, but we do know that He and His Father were one. My sense is that Jesus moved more by the Holy Spirit giving Him knowledge of what His Father was doing, but He may also have had dreams at night, as well as visions in times of contemplation or prayer, which gave Him specific direction.
Ask!
Once my life was transformed and I became Spirit-filled, I could not get enough of experiencing the Lord’s presence and hearing His voice! I immediately began to cry out to Him to speak to me, especially at night.
Each night, when I went to bed, I would ask the Lord to come to me in dreams, visions, angelic encounters, visitations or by transporting me to heaven! (I still do this.) Scriptures such as Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 7:7-12 and Luke 18:1-8 reinforced my resolve to ask.
Growth And Maturity
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries… but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2)
For those who wish to increase in their prophetic and seer anointing, some practical guidelines for growth and maturity follow:
– Remember: the purpose of a word is to edify, encourage and build up. Words of a corrective nature should generally be spoken by someone who walks in the office of a prophet (versus the gift of prophecy) and between those who have relationship.
– Be wary of releasing negative words. Ask yourself, “Does what I am about to speak release the Father’s heart and love for that person/group; is the word redemptive in nature?”
– Seek wisdom! Just because you sense/hear/see something does not mean it is supposed to be released. And timing is key—a word spoken out of season has limited, if any, anointing and can actually hinder what Holy Spirit is doing!
– Shortcomings you see in another might actually indicate something is your assignment. Recently, someone I had barely met asked if she could “pray with me”—then proceeded to tell me that in one area of ministry, I was “not doing it right.” When I sought the Lord, He reminded me of a principle I call dust on top of the fridge. A mentor I once had was fairly laid-back about housekeeping. She used to say that if you came to her house and noticed the coating of dust on the top of her fridge, it was likely you were the one who was supposed to clean it!
If you’d like to see more clearly, let me speak this prayer over you: Just as the Lord blesses me with dreams, visions, and supernatural encounters—so I bless you!
Recommended reading for further study:
Understanding the Dreams You Dream