ABSTRACT
In monotheist traditions there are various types of interaction between the human and divine worlds, and, if possible, it is useful to be able to distinguish between them, as they describe quite different forms of communication. Within the JudeoChristian and Islamic traditions, the most obvious and essential form of communication in scripture are those moments when God communicates directly with humanity through prophets. These missions have a direct impact on notions of salvation history, and show God’s concern for His creations.1 Prophecy is, however, a rare event and a mode of communication that often has a specific target audience in mind. In an Islamic context, the Qur’an shows God selecting messengers to preach to a named tribe or city.2 The significance of the message that is being sent and delivered to a people or a city can be seen in the differentiation between the prophet (nabC) and the messenger (rasEl ), with the rasEl having a higher status.3 The same prophetic typology can be seen in the Hebrew Bible, where prophets interact with both kings and cities, revealing God’s intentions for the community.4
