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I read in Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers on page 291, the following:

The primary function of a נביא, prophet, was to serve as the spokesperson of G-d. This title, derived from the phrase נִיב שְֹפָתָיִם, fruits of the lips, depicted a prophet as the mouthpiece publicly broadcasting the word of G-d.

Does anyone know where the source for this can be found?

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    See Rashi on N'chemya 6:7: "נביאים - בעלי לשון כמו בורא ניב שפתים".
    – Fred
    Aug 16, 2015 at 21:42
  • Clarification, please. WHICH source? That a Navi is a spokesperson for G-d or that the word "Navi" comes from נִיב שְֹפָתָיִם?
    – DanF
    Aug 18, 2015 at 2:56

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@Fred has provided the source for the "fruit of the lips" concept. I'll leave the task for him to expand upon it, if needed.

The proof that a prophet was G-d's "mouthpiece" is in this week's Torah reading.

Deuteronomy 18:18:

נָבִ֨יא אָקִ֥ים לָהֶ֛ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם כָּמ֑וֹךָ וְנָתַתִּ֤י דְבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יו וְדִבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוֶּֽנּוּ׃

I will establish a prophet from among their brothers, like you; and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.

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