'prophesy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'prophēteia,' where 'pro-' meant 'before' and 'phēmi' meant 'to speak.'

'prophēteia' transformed into the Latin word 'prophetia,' and eventually became the modern English word 'prophesy' through Old French 'prophecier.'

Initially, it meant 'to speak before or in advance,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.