The character which essentially distinguishes Israel among theocratic peoples is, that its priesthood has always been subordinated to individual inspiration.

Besides its priests, each wandering tribe had its _nabi_ or prophet, a sort of living oracle who was consulted for the solution of obscure questions supposed to require a high degree of clairvoyance.

The _nabis_ of Israel, organized in groups or schools, had great influence.

Defenders of the ancient democratic spirit, enemies of the rich, opposed to all political organization, and to whatsoever might draw Israel into the paths of other nations, they were the true authors of the religious preeminence of the Jewish people.

Very early they announced unlimited hopes, and when the people, in part the victims of their impolitic counsels, had been crushed by the Assyrian power, they proclaimed that a kingdom without bounds was reserved for them, that one day Jerusalem would be the capital of the whole world, and the human race become Jews.