An oracle is a divine message from God given through a spokesperson (like a prophet, priest, or king). Oracles usually announce blessings, give instructions, or declare judgments.
When Balak asked Balaam to speak a curse against Israel, Balaam instead spoke an oracle of blessing (Numbers 24:3–16). God instructed Moses through “living words” (Acts 7:38). God trusted the Jewish people with these messages (Romans 3:2).
The book of Proverbs contains two wisdom oracles: one from Agur, who was Jakeh's son (Proverbs 30:1), and another from King Lemuel (31:1).
The Bible lists oracles of judgment delivered against kings Joram of Israel (2 Kings 9:25) and Joash of Judah (2 Chronicles 24:27). The prophets often spoke oracles against nations that did evil:
Isaiah spoke oracles against Babylon (Isaiah 13:1; 21:1)
Habakkuk spoke oracles against Judah (Habakkuk 1:1)
Malachi spoke oracles against Israel (Malachi 1:1)
Sometimes false prophets gave false and misleading oracles (Lamentations 2:14).