Oracle

An oracle is a divine message from God given through a spokesperson (like a prophet, priest, or king). Oracles usually announce blessings, give instructions, or declare judgments.

When Balak asked Balaam to speak a curse against Israel, Balaam instead spoke an oracle of blessing (Numbers 24:3–16). God instructed Moses through “living words” (Acts 7:38). God trusted the Jewish people with these messages (Romans 3:2).

The book of Proverbs contains two wisdom oracles: one from Agur, who was Jakeh's son (Proverbs 30:1), and another from King Lemuel (31:1).

The Bible lists oracles of judgment delivered against kings Joram of Israel (2 Kings 9:25) and Joash of Judah (2 Chronicles 24:27). The prophets often spoke oracles against nations that did evil:

Isaiah spoke oracles against Babylon (Isaiah 13:1; 21:1)

Isaiah spoke oracles against Damascus (17:1)

Isaiah spoke oracles against Egypt (19:1)

Isaiah spoke oracles against Jerusalem (22:1)

Isaiah spoke oracles against Moab (15:1)

Isaiah spoke oracles against Philistia (14:28)

Isaiah spoke oracles against Tyre (23:1)

Nahum spoke oracles against Nineveh (Nahum 1:1)

Habakkuk spoke oracles against Judah (Habakkuk 1:1)

Malachi spoke oracles against Israel (Malachi 1:1)

Sometimes false prophets gave false and misleading oracles (Lamentations 2:14).

See also Prophecy.