Prophesy: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Greek 'prophêteia,' meaning 'to speak for someone else' or 'foretelling.'
• In Old French, it evolved into 'profecie' before entering English in the Middle Ages.
• In ancient cultures, such as the Greeks, those who prophesied were often seen as having special connections to the divine.

Religious Significance

• In many religions, prophesy is considered a gift from a higher power, with prophets delivering messages meant to guide believers.
• In Christianity, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke messages about God’s plans and future events for His people.
• Islam holds the Quran as a form of prophesy, with Muhammad regarded as the final prophet delivering God's final message.

Pop Culture

• Movies and books often feature characters with the ability to prophesy, like in 'Harry Potter' with the prophecy about Harry and Voldemort.
• A well-known example in literature is the character of Cassandra from Greek mythology, who was cursed to prophesy true events that no one believed.
• Many modern games and fantasy stories employ prophets as key figures that guide heroes with foreknowledge of their journeys.

Psychology

• Prophesy relates to cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, where people tend to notice events that align with their predictions.
• The phenomenon of self-fulfilling prophecies occurs when expectations about a situation lead to its ultimate fulfillment.
• Psychologists study how prophecy can influence behavior and decision-making, particularly in group dynamics.

Literature

• Throughout history, many writers have explored themes of prophecy, using it as a literary device to create suspense and foreshadowing.
• Shakespeare often included prophetic elements in his plays, such as the witches' predictions in 'Macbeth' that drive the plot forward.
• In George Orwell's '1984,' the concept of prophesy is woven into political discourse, where the Party claims to foresee and dictate the future.

With rank #18,909, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 18906 antiserum
• 18907 validly
• 18908 quashed
• 18909 prophesy
• 18910 divination
• 18911 unsuited
• 18912 chronicler
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