In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant role as messengers of God, tasked with conveying His will to the people of Israel. While some prophets are renowned for their extraordinary deeds and extensive writings, the Scriptures also acknowledge the presence of numerous ordinary prophets throughout Israel's history. These individuals, though not always named or detailed extensively, contributed to the spiritual and moral guidance of the nation.

The presence of numerous prophets in Israel is evident in several passages. For instance, during the time of Samuel, it is noted that there was a company of prophets. In 1 Samuel 10:5, Samuel tells Saul, "After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where there are Philistine garrisons. And as you approach the town, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres before them, and they will be prophesying." This indicates that prophetic activity was not limited to a few individuals but was a communal experience.

The era of Elijah and Elisha further illustrates the presence of numerous prophets. In 1 Kings 18:4, it is recorded, "While Jezebel was killing off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty in each cave, and had supplied them with food and water." This passage highlights that there were many prophets who were active during this tumultuous period, even if they were not all prominent figures like Elijah.

Moreover, the schools of the prophets, mentioned in the accounts of Elijah and Elisha, suggest a structured community of prophets. In 2 Kings 2:3, the sons of the prophets at Bethel come out to meet Elisha, indicating a collective group dedicated to prophetic ministry. These schools served as centers for training and spiritual development, ensuring the continuity of prophetic voices in Israel.

The role of these ordinary prophets was crucial in maintaining the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. They often served as intermediaries, calling the people back to faithfulness and warning them of the consequences of disobedience. While their names and specific messages may not always be recorded, their impact is woven into the fabric of Israel's history.

In the New Testament, the presence of prophets continues, as seen in the early church. Acts 11:27 mentions, "In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch." This continuity underscores the ongoing role of prophecy in guiding and edifying the community of believers.

The numerous ordinary prophets in Israel reflect the widespread nature of God's communication with His people. They remind us that while some prophets are renowned for their extraordinary acts, many others faithfully served in less conspicuous roles, contributing to the spiritual life and direction of the nation.1 Samuel 10:5
After that you shall come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when you are come thither to the city, that you shall meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 18:4
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joel
... But the temple has been rebuilt; there are numerous allusions to priests and to ... so
assured a place in the earliest of the prophets, the ordinary view of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joel.htm

Leviticus
... confront us on the pages of the prophets during the ... 30:25); and traces of growth
are numerous, notably in the ... of the high priest, and the ordinary sin offering ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... is not the smallest probability that a numerous family would ... their duty; in the stated,
and ordinary means of ... also sent all his servants the prophets, to call ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

Entire Sanctification in Prophecy.
... In the minor prophets, we find numerous allusions to the ... At your conversion, you
are, as it were, betrothed to Him, or in ordinary language engaged to Him. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter v entire sanctification in.htm

Judaism.
... Isaiah, the evangelist among the prophets, Elijah the ... 2. The less numerous Sadducees
[57] were skeptical ... From shrp They were separated from ordinary persons and ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 9 judaism.htm

The Manner in which Josephus Mentions the Divine Books.
... the position there assigned to them is not the ordinary one ... as a part of the canon
by numerous medieval and ... on their work and that the later prophets flourished ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the manner in which.htm

The Difference Between the Two Testaments.
... a few, but what was the ordinary method which ... had been previously declared by the
prophets, in passages ... thing may have been declared in numerous passages, when ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 the difference between.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... proprietor despatched another party more numerous, with the ... to demand the stipulated
tribute,"prophets such as ... in the confidence of the ordinary rulers, but ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm

Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
... them, they scarcely seem more numerous, nor perhaps ... I have written,' refers to the
prophets and the ... the multitude, and even from ordinary students, probably ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 18 brief outline of.htm

The Original Text and Its History.
... Arabs read without difficulty their ordinary books, which omit ... It was natural that
the prophets and historians ... books manifests itself in their numerous rules for ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiv the original text.htm

What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.org

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

What is a prophet in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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