Does the Torah speak of any non-Israelite prophets?

Question

I asked before about proselytizing and was told that the 7 Noahide laws are all that is required of non-Jews. Does this mean the Torah indicates that there have never been any prophets sent to other communities? What about wise people who are inspired? Does that mean G-d doesn't care if the rest of us are unguided? Thanks for answering!

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I was meaning in particular to far-flung places outside of the Middle East, like China or North America. Presumably, it would take a while for the Noahide Laws to reach the entire world if coming only from the Israelites. According to the Torah, what is the status of all of the other peoples? Did G-d not have any messages for them through the ages?

cynical- Muslims pray in Arabic to have a continuity of the pattern and message of the prayer for all people at all times. That does not mean that we cannot make supplication in our own mother tongue. Of course, God listen to us no matter what language we speak, or what religion we follow.

Witty weasel- Perhaps the quote you mentioned is meant to describe Ishmael, but I don't see how you draw the conclusion that this is a reference to the entire Arab nation. Furthermore, when looking at the historical continuum, not merely a biased-media-induced- current-events-view of things, it is clearly NOT a description of the Arab role in history. Who was it that took in the Jews, their cousins, after Europe expelled them? Who was it that translated and disseminated the knowledge of the ancient Greeks back into Europe? Who spread the use of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine into Europe and beyond? It doesn't sound like a people who are against every man and whom every man is against.

I guess I'm having a problem understanding that 7 very general laws are fine for everybody except the Jews who must follow 613. Wouldn't G-d want all people to be blessed with the guidance of 613 laws? So that's why I'm wondering if the Torah shows another mode of guidance for others or perhaps other prophets to far away places.

Answer 1

Briefly.
Adam was a prophet. All people were his descendants, for him to pass the message on to. Noah was a prophet. Post-flood- this applies to Noah too. There were other prophets who were not jewish too.
Balaam was a nonjewish prophet, but he misused and abused his closeness to G0d and was an evil man who did not benefit the nonjews (or anyone).
Jonah was a jewish prophet who in addition to prophecying to the Jews, also prophecied to the Assyrians of Nineveh (who were not Jewish), advising them to return from their evil deeds.
Obadiah was an Edomite by birth, but a convert to Judaism. He was a prophet.
I think the root of your question lies in why G0d doesnt send messengers to the nonjews to teach them his way. G0d has one perfect path that never is amended or changes. So once G0d has given his message, there are no new additions or changes to it. If we are close enough to G0d, then there can be reiterations/clarifications/
deeper understanding given to one than he had preivously. But the non-Jews have not been worthy of this since the days of Abraham. The Jews have not been worthy of this since the days of the beginning of Second Temple Times. Nonetheless, like I said, there are no new additions or changes or deletetions to G0d's message, and therefore this lack or prophecy is not a detriment to our basic ability to fullfill our task, as G0d already taught us all this through Moses.
Now, everyone has a different role in this path. One such distinction is that between jew and nonjew. Neither is inherently superior- they are both just different aspects. Each group fulfills their purpose and thus benefits themselves and the universe/creation. The path for the jew is the 613. The path for the nonjew is the 7. The two complement each other. The talmud openly states that righteous gentiles have a portion in the world to come.
It is the job of the jew, as an individual and as a nation, to live a righteous and G0dly life. By the Jew doing so, the fame and knowledge of G-d will spread to the nations and the gentiles will be made aware of the seven laws. One good historical example of this is the extent throughout the region to which G0d became known during the reign of Solomon. A good example of this, throughout time, is the ideas of G0d and morality which the Jewish Torah has informed the world of over the past several millenia, and the adoption of these ideas, by humanity.
The Torah teaches that G0d does not hold one accountable if he was forced into a situation. The Talmud discusses that a Jewish child who was kidnapped by nonJews will not be held liable, by G0d, for not keeping the 613, since there is no way he could have known to do so. If the Jews, as individuals and as a nation dont teach the nonjews, by example and by leading G0dly and moral lives, G0d will take this into account. G0d will also punish the jews and thus draw the attention of the nonjews- who will realize that the Jews are punished by G0d for not following his Torah. The nonjews will thus in this manner become familiar with Torah too.
In Messianic times, the whole world will be filled with the knowledge of G0d, as the waters cover the sea, as Isaiah 11 tells us. Similarly, many will prophecy, as Joel 3 (Jewish bibles, it is in Joel 2 in christian bibles) tells us.
I sketched this out really quickly. I hope that this helps to answer your question.
G0d bless.

Answer 2

Even hear of the word PARDES? P is for Peshat. This is the plain meaning as it would have been understood thousands of years ago. R is for inference. D is basically sermonizing or explaing the Torah in your own style. S is the symbolic or hidden meaning. So when it comes to the Oral Torah, which one is it? Clearly not the Peshat (simply, plainly stated) as you have proven. But then what does Oral mean? Doesn't it mean by mouth? In this case people were told to teach the Torah to their children. Also Abraham was taught to circumsize without a written commandment. But to suggest that Rashi's words, Maimonides' words, or Akiva's words came down from Heaven to Moses on Mt. Sinai is foolish beyond measure.

Answer 3

Noah was not a Jew. He was a righteous man (as the Torah describes him) who was sent to teach the world about morality. The nations of the world are supposed to learn from the Jews, as in the case of the 7 noahide laws. There are communities all over the world dedicated to keeping these laws, and they look to rabbis for guidance.
For more info:
http://www.noahidenations.com/content/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Answer 4

Um, the Torah is about the Jewish people. Although us G-d fearers are covered in the Torah, the major portion of it is about the Jews and their relationship with G-d.

This doesn't mean that G-d fearers are left out of G-d's plan. Not at all. We are considered part of G-d's children and protected by G-d. It is simply that the Torah concentrates on the Jews.

Also, some believe that it is not possible for one to prophecize unless one follows the full Torah. Only then can one gain the understanding of the secrets contained within and be able to be drawn into the prescence of G-d.

Answer 5

I'm not sure about the Torah, but I believe Joel 2 talks about the spirit and prophesying falling upon Gentiles, both men and women, an action which Christians believe was fulfilled in Act 2, the day of Pentecost.

Also, Jonah, a Jew, was sent to preach to the Ninevites.

Answer 6

Noah and Adam talked to God, and they lived before there was such a thing as a Jew.

Bilaam was a prophet, but he was an evil prophet.

The Noachide Laws are mostly self-evident. It usually doesn't take a prophet for people to know that murder or adultery are wrong.

Answer 7

Why do so many Muslims pray in Arabic even thought some don't understand the language? Does that mean God only listens to people who speak Arabic?

Answer 8

The Torah is the record of God's relationship with the nation of Israel . . . it has nothing to do with the gods or prophets in which other nations or people want to believe.

It doesn't say, "There are no other Gods." . . . . it says, " You shall have no other gods BEFORE ME." The Torah acknowledges there are other gods . . . but they aren't the gods of Israel.

The Torah predicted the rise of Islam and the character of its believers when it describes Ismael (who Muslims claim as their Patriarch) to Hagar, his mother-to-be:

"Now you have conceived , and you will bear a son, and you will name him Ishmael, for God has heard your cries of distress.

He will be a man like a wild donkey, against every man and every man against him, setting himself to defy all his brothers."

That descripion of Muslims was written over 4000 years ago, and they're proving it to be true every day in London, New York, Gaza, Baghdad, Tehran, Cairo, Malaysia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, etc.

The God of Israel hasn't been wrong yet . . . . .

Answer 9

Its hard to understand your questions. As far as non Isrealite prophets...God also spoke to people before Moses. The children of Adam knew about God and the children of Noah knew about God. God has made Himself clearly known so that if they worshipped away from Him, He considered them rebellious. He is also an orderly God and in the Old Testament times has priests and prophets to oversea that the people are being obedient to His laws.
The books of the Torah were kept by His people and they were maticulous at keeping it preserved and honored. God told Moses that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob so that they knew who His covenant was with and who were responsible for keeping His ways straight. God blessed them over and over and miracles are recorded through thosands of years and through many prophets agreeing who is God. God of Jacob. Yahweh. The people who knew the Lord traveled to many lands and kept His laws and even sojourners who were strangers in the land of Isreal given to the Hebrews followed Gods laws. The book of Daniel and the book of Esther talks about how God was with His people even out of Isreal and it was revealed where they went that the true God is the God of Jacob.
Through the Christians, the gospel of Jesus which is the fulfillment of prophesies of the Torah that the Messiah has come, the message is given in the most remote areas of the world. If no one comes to them, God puts His laws in their hearts so it is instinctive to know His laws and they will be judged accordingly.
But you have been told the Jesus is the Son of God so you have no excuse for denying Him. I will pray that you repent and follow Jesus and live eternally in heaven. Muhammad or his allah can not save you and is not a prophet of the God of Jacob. Gods word stands forever and Jesus confirmed the Torah and said scripture can not be broken.

Answer 10

The Israelites were not Jews..Noah or Moses were not Jews...

The Israelites followed a Monotheistic GOD and the Jews had a combination of TORAH and the TALMUD..

Gentiles were made to obey 7 laws, the reaosn this did not last is because ALL MEN FAILED TO THE GLORY OF GOD..
We are all sinners in need of a Saviour.