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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

ORACLE

Divine revelation communicated through God’s spokesperson (prophet, priest, or king), usually pronouncing blessing, instruction, or judgment. Contrary to Balak’s request for Balaam to curse Israel, Balaam spoke an oracle of blessing (Nm 24:3-16). God instructed Moses through “living oracles” (Acts 7:38), and entrusted them with the Jewish people (Rom 3:2). The book of Proverbs records two oracles of wisdom: one given by Agur, Jakeh’s son (Prv 30:1), and the other by King Lemuel (31:1). Oracles of judgment were uttered against kings Joram of Israel (2 Kgs 9:25) and Joash of Judah (2 Chr 24:27). The prophets often delivered them against evil nations: Isaiah delivered oracles against Babylon (Is 13:1; 21:1), Damascus (17:1), Egypt (19:1), Jerusalem (22:1), Moab (15:1), Philistia (14:28), and Tyre (23:1). Nahum delivered one against Nineveh (Na 1:1); Habakkuk, one against Judah (Hb 1:1); and Malachi, one against Israel (Mal 1:1). Sometimes false and misleading oracles were given by false prophets (Lam 2:14).