How the prophetic messages were written
The writing of prophetic messages varied depending on the specific culture, time period, and individual prophet. However, there are some common methods and practices that were often used.
1. Oral Tradition: In many ancient cultures, including the Israelites in the Old Testament, the initial transmission of prophetic messages was through oral tradition. The prophet would speak the message given to them by God and it would be passed on orally to others who would then memorize and share it further.
2. Writing by the Prophets: Some prophets themselves wrote down their messages. For example, many books in the Hebrew Bible (such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) are collections of prophetic writings attributed to specific prophets. These prophets would record their messages on various materials, such as parchment, papyrus, or stone tablets.
3. Scribes and Assistants: Prophets often had assistants or scribes who would help them record their messages. These individuals would write down the words of the prophet as they spoke or dictate them later based on their memory of what was said.
4. Symbolic and Visionary Writing: Prophetic messages often contained symbolic or visionary elements. In these cases, the prophet would have a vision or a symbolic experience and then convey the message through symbols or allegories. The prophet or their scribe would write down the vision or experience, along with its interpretation, for others to understand.
5. Divine Inspiration: Many prophetic messages were believed to be directly inspired by God. The prophet would receive divine revelation, often through visions or dreams, and then convey the message as instructed by God. The writing process would then involve capturing and transcribing these divine revelations.
6. Compilation and Editing: Some prophetic messages were compiled and edited by later generations. For example, the prophetic books in the Bible were likely written, edited, and arranged over a span of time and by multiple authors and editors. These compilations often involved selecting and arranging various prophetic messages and writings into a coherent and meaningful whole.
It's important to note that the writing of prophetic messages varied across different cultures and historical periods. Additionally, the understanding and interpretation of prophetic writings also vary among different religious traditions.