The word 'oracle' is a technical term for various kinds of mysterious utterance delivered by a prophet in response to a worshipper's question. 'Consulting the oracle' refers to the ancient practice of visiting a sanctuary, such as the shrine of Apollo at Delphi, and engaging in appropriate rituals with a view to receiving divine guidance. It has been suggested that the visit of Jacob to a mysterious place, recognized by him as 'the gate of heaven', where he dreamt that the Lord promised to be with him always ( Gen. 28:10-22), is a biblical example. There are plenty of other less elaborate examples where the Lord is 'consulted' by his people in time of need (e.g. Judg. 1:1 after the death of Joshua) and by individuals like Saul (e.g. 1 Sam. 14:37) and David (e.g. 1 Sam. 23:2; 30:7-8) (John Shelby Spong., 1997).
Oracle A place at which advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity; a prophet or prophetess at an oracle; a person or thing regarded as an infallible guide to future action.
In the Bible, the word "oracle" means supernatural utterance. It can also refer to a device used in the production of divine utterances. The Bible is thus an oracle, as was the Urim and Thummim (sacred devices) of the Old Testament. When men or women speak as true prophets of God, they are likewise considered "an oracle of God" (1 Pet. 4:11).
Apart from isolated references to dreaming (e.g. 1 Sam. 25:2; Gen. 28) and other means of divination involving the use of the ark of the covenant of God ( Judg. 20:27) and the enigmatic 'Urim and Thummim' ( Deut. 33:8, 1 Sam. 14: 41-2; 28:6; Ezra 2:63), little is known of ancient Israelite practice. But the role of prophets in.......
