In the biblical narrative, prophetesses are women who have been endowed with the gift of prophecy, serving as messengers of God's word and will. Their roles, while less frequently mentioned than their male counterparts, are significant and demonstrate the inclusivity of God's calling across gender lines. The presence of prophetesses in the Bible underscores the active participation of women in the spiritual and communal life of Israel and the early Church.

Miriam

Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, is one of the earliest prophetesses mentioned in the Bible. She played a crucial role during the Exodus, leading the women of Israel in worship after the crossing of the Red Sea. In Exodus 15:20-21 , it is recorded: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.'"

Deborah

Deborah stands out as both a prophetess and a judge of Israel, a dual role that highlights her leadership and spiritual authority. Her account is found in Judges 4-5, where she is depicted as a wise and courageous leader who, under God's guidance, led Israel to victory against the Canaanite oppressors. Judges 4:4 states: "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time."

Huldah

Huldah is another prominent prophetess who played a pivotal role during the reign of King Josiah. When the Book of the Law was discovered in the temple, Josiah sent his officials to consult Huldah regarding its implications. Her response, recorded in 2 Kings 22:14-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22-28, confirmed the coming judgment on Judah but also acknowledged Josiah's humility and repentance.

Isaiah's Wife

Referred to as "the prophetess" in Isaiah 8:3 , Isaiah's wife is mentioned in the context of bearing a son whose name was to be a sign to Israel. The text states: "And I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The LORD said to me, 'Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.'"

Anna

In the New Testament, Anna is recognized as a prophetess who served in the temple, devoting her life to prayer and fasting. Her encounter with the infant Jesus is recorded in Luke 2:36-38 : "There was also a prophetess named 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, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming forward at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem."

Philip's Daughters

In the Acts of the Apostles, Philip the evangelist is noted to have four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:9 briefly mentions them: "He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied." This reference indicates the continuation of the prophetic gift in the early Christian community.

Role and Significance

The role of prophetesses in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing leadership, guidance, and the proclamation of God's truth. They serve as examples of faithfulness and obedience, often providing critical insight and direction during pivotal moments in biblical history. Their presence affirms the biblical principle that God can choose anyone, regardless of gender, to fulfill His purposes and communicate His divine will.4395. propheteuo -- to foretell, tell forth, prophesy
... from prophetes Definition to foretell, tell forth, prophesy NASB Word Usage prophesied
(5), prophesies (3), prophesy (16), prophesying (3), prophetesses (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4395.htm - 8k

The Montanists; Priscilla and Maximilla their Prophetesses; Some ...
... Book VIII. Chapter XII."The Montanists; Priscilla and Maximilla Their
Prophetesses; Some of Them Noetians. But there are others ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xii the montanists priscilla and.htm

The Death of John and Philip.
... with what has been quoted, [866] speaks thus concerning the death of Philip and
his daughters: "After him [867] there were four prophetesses, the daughters of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxi the death of john.htm

The Manner in which Apollonius Refuted the Phrygians, and the ...
... 3. He writes thus concerning Montanus; and a little farther on he writes as follows
concerning his prophetesses: "We show that these first prophetesses ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xviii the manner in which.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... And we have before proved that women did possess this gift, hence were prophetesses
or public expounders of the gospel, and hence they have a constituent part ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

From a Dialogue or Disputation against Proclus.
... festivals. III. (In the same, iii.31.). And after this there were four
prophetesses, daughters of Philip, at Hierapolis in Asia. Their ...
/.../caius/fragments of caius/i from a dialogue or disputation.htm

Witnessing in Power.
... forgotten the wonderful scene that took place in the temple, when the Son of God
was brought into the temple and the older prophets and prophetesses were there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/witnessing in power.htm

Ezekiel
... The horrors of the siege and exile are symbolically indicated, xii.1-20, and the
false prophets and prophetesses, xiii.17, are reproved and denounced for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

Tertullian a Great Trial to the Church. ...
... [491] Fidelior, Baluz, Felicior, others. [492] In Matthew 5.p>[493] Montanus, with
his two prophetesses, professed that he was intrusted with a new dispensation ...
/.../the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xviii tertullian a great.htm

Ezekiel xiii. 22
... iron, and said, "With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed
them." In the same way, it is imagined that the false prophetesses spoken of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xx ezekiel xiii 22.htm

Tertullian; Perpetua and Companions (Ad 181-206)
... while in them, he uttered ravings which were taken for prophecies, or messages from
heaven: and some women who followed him also pretended to be prophetesses. ...
/.../chapter vi tertullian perpetua and.htm

Prophetesses (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Prophetesses (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:9 Now Philip
had four unmarried daughters who were prophetesses; (WEY NAS). ...
/p/prophetesses.htm - 6k

Prophetess (8 Occurrences)
... 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14) were not credited with the
seer's insight into the future, but were called "prophetesses" because of ...
/p/prophetess.htm - 10k

Prophetic (9 Occurrences)

/p/prophetic.htm - 9k

Kerchief
... They were apparently long veils or coverings put over the heads of those consulting
the false prophetesses and reaching down to the feet, for they were for ...
/k/kerchief.htm - 7k

Unmarried (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unmarried (13 Occurrences). Acts 21:9 Now Philip had
four unmarried daughters who were prophetesses; (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/u/unmarried.htm - 10k

Prophet (315 Occurrences)
... when the spirit rested upon them, prophesied;" Asaph and Jeduthun "prophesied with
a harp" (1 Chronicles 25:3). Miriam and Deborah were prophetesses (Exodus 15 ...
/p/prophet.htm - 49k

Barley (35 Occurrences)
... The false prophetesses (Ezekiel 13:19) are said to have profaned God among the people
for "handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread." Barley was also used in ...
/b/barley.htm - 23k

Astoreth
... In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites
seem to have been practiced, and, instead, prophetesses were attached to her ...
/a/astoreth.htm - 10k

Astarte (2 Occurrences)
... In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites
seem to have been practiced, and, instead, prophetesses were attached to her ...
/a/astarte.htm - 11k

Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences)
... In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites
seem to have been practiced, and, instead, prophetesses were attached to her ...
/a/ashtoreth.htm - 14k

What is a prophetess? Does the Bible mention any prophetesses? | GotQuestions.org

What was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Miscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.org

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