Lexical Summary prophétis: Prophetess Original Word: προφήτις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prophetess. Feminine of prophetes; a female foreteller or an inspired woman -- prophetess. see GREEK prophetes HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4398 prophḗtis (the feminine form of 4396 /prophḗtēs, "prophet") – prophetess (Lk 2:36; Rev 2:20). See 4394 (prophēteia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of prophétés Definition a prophetess NASB Translation prophetess (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4398: προφῆτιςπροφῆτις, προφητιδος, ἡ (προφήτης), the Sept. for נְבִיאָה, a prophetess (Vulg., Tertullianprophetissa, prophetis), a woman to whom future events or things hidden from others are at times revealed, either by inspiration or by dreams and visions: Luke 2:36; Revelation 2:20. In Greek usage, a female who declares or interprets oracles (Euripides, Plato, Plutarch): ἡ προφῆτις τῆς ἀληθείας ἱστορία, Diodorus 1, 2. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Luke 2:36—“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,”. Biblical Portrait of the Prophetess A prophetess is a woman whom God empowers to speak forth His word, whether by foretelling future events or by forthtelling divine revelation for exhortation, correction, or encouragement. Anna’s exemplary piety, steadfast worship, and immediate recognition of the Messiah illustrate the authentic prophetic spirit: devotion to God and Christ-centered proclamation (Luke 2:37–38). By contrast, the self-styled “Jezebel” of Thyatira exemplifies counterfeit prophetic activity—subverting holiness and truth while appealing to cultural pressures and fleshly desires. Continuity with Old Testament Precedents The New Testament record builds on a well-established Old Testament pattern of female prophetic ministry: Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), and Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3). Each spoke at pivotal moments in Israel’s history, demonstrating that the prophetic office, while ordinarily dominated by men, never excluded women whom God sovereignly chose. Criteria for Authentic Prophetic Ministry • Conformity to revealed Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:1–4; 1 Corinthians 14:37). Anna meets these criteria; “Jezebel” violates every one, underscoring the imperative to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Warnings Against Pseudo-Prophetesses Revelation 2:20–23 shows that false prophetesses can arise within the church, cloaking sensuality and idolatry in spiritualized language. The Lord’s rebuke and promised judgment affirm His zeal for doctrinal purity and moral fidelity. The passage reminds believers that tolerance of false teaching invites divine discipline (Hebrews 12:6). Theological and Ecclesiological Implications • God’s sovereignty: He raises voices from unexpected quarters, including elderly widows like Anna. Practical Application for the Church Today 1. Encourage women gifted in prophecy to cultivate biblical literacy, prayer, and humble submission to church oversight. In summary, Strong’s Greek 4398 highlights both the blessing and the danger inherent in prophetic ministry. Anna’s faithful witness invites emulation; Jezebel’s corruption demands discernment. Forms and Transliterations προφήτην προφητιν προφήτιν προφῆτιν προφητις προφήτις προφῆτις prophetin prophêtin prophētin prophē̂tin prophetis prophêtis prophētis prophē̂tisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 2:36 N-NFSGRK: ἦν Ἅννα προφῆτις θυγάτηρ Φανουήλ NAS: And there was a prophetess, Anna KJV: one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter INT: there was Anna a prophetess daughter of Phanuel Revelation 2:20 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4398 |
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