Prorok jako świadek (Jr 23,16-22)

Abstract

This article deals with the subject: “prophet as a witness”. The Bible portrays a prophet as a messenger speaking in God’s name and announcing His word. However, he is not merely a neutral reporter, but the witness of received revelation. A witness is a person who has participated in some event personally and therefore can confirm what he or she saw and heard. These two elements of witness in the prophet’s mission are pointed out by Jeremiah. His oracle in Jer 23:16-22 deals with false prophets, whose own visions proclaim themselves as coming from God. Meanwhile, the true prophet is following quite a different path. He participates in “the council of Yahweh”, experiencing divine revelation (conf. v. 18), and then testifies to what he has seen and heard (conf. v. 22). Therefore, such a prophet is truly the witness of God and His word.