Definition: (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 9:9. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage about God’s plan. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very early moment when God was setting up a special way for him to communicate with people. It's about preparing the way for a future leader – a prophet – who would be incredibly important. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Beforetime in Israel…” : This refers to a very long time ago, back when there was no organized religion or tradition in Israel. Think of it as the very beginning of their history. “…when a man went to inquire of God…” : This describes a person, likely a leader or someone seeking guidance, who approached God with a question. It’s like asking a really important question. "...thus he spake..." : This means "He spoke." It's a formal declaration from God. “Come, and let us go to the seer…” : This is where it gets interesting. “Seer” was a term for a prophet in ancient times – someone who could interpret God’s word and speak on his behalf. So, God is calling this person – likely someone like Samuel – to come with him. “…for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.” : This is the crucial part! It says: “Beforetime was called a Seer.” The word "beforetime" means ‘past time’ or 'a very old time'. The phrase "now called a Prophet" emphasizes that this person is now a prophet – someone who has been given a special gift to speak for God. In short, the verse says that God is establishing a system where he will communicate with a leader through prophecy, and that leader was already being prepared for this role before time. Why is it significant? This verse is important because it tells us about the beginning of Israel's religious tradition. It’s a foundational moment in understanding how God started to reveal himself to humanity. It sets up the idea that God would use prophets – people who interpret his word – throughout history, and this verse suggests that God was actively working before the time we often associate with the beginning of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part in more detail? Connect it to a story or event in the Bible?