In the biblical context, a prophet is an individual chosen by God to deliver His messages and guidance to the people. Prophets play a crucial role throughout the Scriptures, serving as God's mouthpieces, warning of impending judgment, calling for repentance, and foretelling future events. The role of a prophet is both revered and challenging, often involving persecution and rejection by those to whom they are sent.

Old Testament Prophets

The Old Testament is replete with prophets who were instrumental in guiding the Israelites. Some of the most prominent prophets include:

· Moses: Often considered the greatest prophet in Israel's history, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 34:10 states, "Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face."

· Samuel: A pivotal figure during the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy, Samuel anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. 1 Samuel 3:20 notes, "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD."

· Elijah and Elisha: These prophets are known for their miraculous deeds and staunch opposition to idolatry. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a notable event (1 Kings 18). Elisha, his successor, continued his work, performing many miracles.

· Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel: These major prophets delivered messages of both judgment and hope. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah, Jeremiah warned of the Babylonian exile, and Ezekiel spoke of restoration and a new covenant.

· Minor Prophets: The twelve minor prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, addressed various issues such as social injustice, idolatry, and the need for repentance. Despite their brevity, their messages are profound and enduring.

New Testament Prophets

In the New Testament, the role of the prophet continues, though it takes on new dimensions with the coming of Jesus Christ:

· John the Baptist: Regarded as the last of the Old Testament prophets, John prepared the way for Jesus, calling for repentance and baptizing those who responded. Jesus said of him, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11).

· Jesus Christ: While Jesus is more than a prophet, He is often recognized as a prophet in His earthly ministry. He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and spoke with divine authority. In Luke 24:19, He is referred to as "a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people."

· Early Church Prophets: The early church also recognized the gift of prophecy. Acts 11:27-28 mentions prophets like Agabus, who predicted a severe famine. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14, discusses the role of prophecy in edifying the church.

Characteristics and Functions of Prophets

Prophets in the Bible share several characteristics and functions:

· Divine Calling: Prophets are called by God, often through visions or direct communication. Their authority comes from their divine commission.

· Message of Repentance: A central theme in prophetic messages is the call to repentance and return to God. Prophets often address moral and spiritual failings.

· Foretelling and Forthtelling: Prophets not only predict future events (foretelling) but also speak forth God's truth to the present situation (forthtelling).

· Intercession: Many prophets, like Moses and Samuel, intercede on behalf of the people, pleading with God for mercy and guidance.

· Suffering and Rejection: Prophets frequently face opposition and persecution. Jeremiah, for example, was imprisoned and mocked for his messages.

The prophetic office is a testament to God's desire to communicate with His people, guiding them towards righteousness and faithfulness. Through the prophets, God reveals His character, His plans, and His expectations for His covenant people.5031. nebiah -- a prophetess
... prophetess. Feminine of nabiy'; a prophetess or (generally) inspired woman; by
implication, a poetess; by association a prophet's wife -- prophetess. ...
/hebrew/5031.htm - 6k

A Prophet's Woes
... A PROPHET'S WOES. 'Woe unto them that join ... characterise Christian teachers
to-day. The prophet's office is not extinct in the church. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a prophets woes.htm

A Prophet's Strange Providers
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS A PROPHET'S STRANGE PROVIDERS. ... He is not a 'prophet,' like
later ones whose words were revelation. Little is preserved of his sayings. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a prophets strange providers.htm

M. Anonymous. The Prophet's vision.
... SUPPLEMENT. 598. 7s. M. Anonymous. The Prophet's Vision. 1 Faint the earth,
and parched with drought, Make the waters, Lord, gush out! ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/598 7s m anonymous the.htm

Moody Puts a Man in his "Prophet's Room. "
... Moody Puts a Man in his "Prophet's Room.". A few years ago as I stood at
the door of a church giving out invitations to a meeting ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/moody puts a man in.htm

Whether, in Prophetic Revelation, New Species of Things are ...
... Whether, in prophetic revelation, new species of things are impressed on
the prophet's mind, or merely a new light? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in prophetic revelation new.htm

How, Upon Saul's Transgression of the Prophet's Commands, Samuel ...
... CHAPTER 8. How, Upon Saul's Transgression Of The Prophet's Commands, Samuel Ordained
Another Person To Be King Privately, Whose Name Was David, As God ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how upon sauls.htm

Whether Prophets Always Know the Things which they Prophesy?
... Whether, in prophetic revelation, new species of things are impressed on
the prophet's mind, or merely a new light? Whether prophets ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether prophets always know the.htm

Whether the Prophetic vision is Always Accompanied by Abstraction ...
... Whether, in prophetic revelation, new species of things are impressed
on the prophet's mind, or merely a new light? Whether the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the prophetic vision is.htm

Whether Prophecy is a Habit?
... habit. Now prophecy is a perfection of the soul; and it is not always in act,
else a prophet could not be described as asleep. Therefore ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether prophecy is a habit.htm

The World's Wages to a Prophet
... THE WORLD'S WAGES TO A PROPHET. 'And it came to pass, that when the army of the
Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's arm, 12. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the worlds wages to a.htm

Prophet's (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Prophet's (22 Occurrences). Matthew 10:41 He who receives
a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. ...
/p/prophet's.htm - 13k

Gehazi (14 Occurrences)
... way. By command of his master, Gehazi called the Shunammite, that she might
be rewarded by the prophet for her liberal hospitality. ...
/g/gehazi.htm - 19k

Malachi (2 Occurrences)
... There is reason, however, to conclude that Malachi was the ordinary name
of the prophet. He was contemporary with Nehemiah (Comp. ...
/m/malachi.htm - 21k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... as having been sent from the king to inquire (Jeremiah 21:1) regarding the coming
woes which he had denounced, and to entreat the prophet's intercession that ...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Jehovah (20094 Occurrences)
... 1. Historical Situation 2. The Authorship of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 3. The Prophet
of the ... The prophet's message was always primarily a message to his own age. ...
/j/jehovah.htm - 38k

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)
... 1. Historical Situation 2. The Authorship of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 3. The Prophet
of the ... The prophet's message was always primarily a message to his own age. ...
/y/yahweh.htm - 39k

Agabus (2 Occurrences)
... A "prophet," probably one of the seventy disciples of Christ. ... AGABUS. ag'-a-bus
(Agabos): A Christian prophet of Jerusalem, twice mentioned in Acts. ...
/a/agabus.htm - 9k

Servant (738 Occurrences)
... 1. Historical Situation 2. The Authorship of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 3. The Prophet
of the ... The prophet's message was always primarily a message to his own age. ...
/s/servant.htm - 67k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... The prophet Jeremiah was his counsellor, yet "he did evil in the sight of the Lord"
(2 Kings 24:19, 20; Jeremiah 52:2, 3). He ascended the throne at the age of ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Messiah (9 Occurrences)
... But the prophet's lofty vision, though limited as in the case of other seers to
the horizon of his own time, reaches beyond Judah's distress to Judah's ...
/m/messiah.htm - 43k

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