Génesis 20:7

for he is a prophet Abraham is here given the title of "prophet," or "nâbî" (the first occurrence of it in Scripture). The prophet the one who utters or pours forth is one who is in intimate relations with God, moved by His Spirit, protected by His Power. From 1 Samuel 9:9 we learn the nabiwas in old times called roeh, or Seer.

To call Abraham a "prophet" (nâbî) is, therefore, an anachronism, indicating the atmosphere of the monarchical period. The prophet was one who was privileged to have intercourse with God, and was bound to communicate "the word" to his own kith and kin (Génesis 18:19). He was their representative, their intercessor, their spokesman. He who has the vision, rô"eh, must declare the message, nâbî.

A comment on this passage is supplied by Salmo 105:14-15, "he suffered no man to do them wrong … and do my prophets no harm." Perhaps the prophets of Israel traced their "guild" back to Abraham as their founder, as well as to Moses, their greatest leader (Deuteronomio 34:10).

pray i.e. intercede. For the efficacy of a "prophet's" intercession, cf. Deuteronomio 9:20; 1Sa 7:5; 1 Samuel 12:19; 1 Samuel 12:23; Jeremias 7:16.