Genesis 20:7

7. He is a prophet Here the word prophet first occurs, but the spirit of prophecy had been abroad long before, speaking though Enoch and Noah . A prophet, נביא , is one who announces a divine message . The message itself may refer to things past, present, or future, so that prediction, or foretelling of events, is only incidental to prophecy, not its leading idea . On the distinction between the names prophet and seer, see note on 1 Samuel 9:9. Abraham was a prophet to Abimelech, and sent to pray for him; for prayer and praise were elements of prophesying. In the offering of sacrifices and in his intercession for Sodom, he appeared as priest. In his battles with the eastern kings, and in his disposal of the spoil, he appeared as king; so that in the father of the faithful we may see these several offices combined.