Nabi
/ˈnɑːbi/noun
In Islamic usage, a prophet or person believed to receive divine revelation.
Did you know?The Arabic plural of *nabi* is *anbiyāʾ*, and the Qur’an uses the term for numerous figures also known from Jewish and Christian scripture.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*nabīʾ-
“Prophet or spokesperson; traditionally connected with proclaiming or announcing”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
nāḇīʾ
“Prophet, literally a person who speaks as an inspired messenger”
Imperial Aramaic
Aramaic
nəḇiyyā
“Prophet or divinely inspired spokesman”
7th Century
Classical Arabic
nabī
“Prophet; one who receives divine revelation”
Modern English
English
nabi
“A prophet in Islamic terminology, especially in discussions of Qur’anic or Islamic theology”