In the days of Samuel it is said "a prophet was beforetime called a seer." 1 Samuel 9:9 . They were so-called apparently because they were given of God to fore-see events or to see visions. This is confirmed by Isaiah 30:10 , where rebellious Israel, in effect, said to the seers, "See not. " They did not want to hear what God had to say to them. Ezekiel also says, "Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit and have seen nothing !" Ezekiel 13:3 .