Bible Thesaurus: Prophets

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Thesaurus

Prophets (270 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PROPHECY; PROPHETS. prof'-e-si,
prof'-e-si, prof'-ets: I. THE IDEA OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY 1. The Seer ...
/p/prophets.htm - 69k

Ago (61 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Mark 6:15 But others said, "He is Elijah."
Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets." (See NIV). ...
/a/ago.htm - 24k

Prophesyings (1 Occurrence)
... PROPHESYINGS, FALSE. prof'-e-si-ingz: The distinction between the true and
the false prophecy and prophets is very difficult to state. ...
/p/prophesyings.htm - 8k

Betimes (17 Occurrences)
... 7:25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this
day, I have sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up ...
/b/betimes.htm - 13k

Persistently (16 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:25 From the day when your fathers came out of Egypt till this day, I
have sent my servants the prophets to you, getting up early every day and ...
/p/persistently.htm - 11k

Prophesied (57 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied
until John. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 15:7 Hypocrites! ...
/p/prophesied.htm - 25k

Announced (47 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the glad tidings
of the kingdom of God are announced, and every one forces his way into it. ...
/a/announced.htm - 20k

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)
... of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall happen, when you
have come there to the city, that you shall meet a band of prophets coming down ...
/p/prophesying.htm - 25k

Visions (43 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:10 Who say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Do not give us
word of what is true, but say false things to give us pleasure: (See NAS NIV). ...
/v/visions.htm - 20k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that art killing the prophets, and stoning those
sent unto thee, how often did I will to gather thy children together, as a ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Bible Concordance

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Matthew 2:23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 5:17 "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 7:12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 7:22 A great number will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, were we not prophets in your name, and did we not by your name send out evil spirits, and by your name do works of power?
(BBE)

Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 13:17 For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn't see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 16:14 They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 22:40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:30 and say,'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:31 Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:34 Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 24:11 Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 24:24 For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:56 But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.
(WEB KJV WBS YLT)

Mark 6:15 But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 8:28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 13:22 For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 1:70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:26 Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 9:8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 9:19 They answered, "'John the Baptizer,' but others say,'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 10:24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn't see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 11:47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 11:48 So you are witnesses and give approval to the work of your fathers; for they put them to death and you make their last resting-places.
(See NIV)

Luke 11:49 Therefore also the wisdom of God said,'I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 11:50 that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 13:28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrown outside.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 13:34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 16:29 "But Abraham said to him,'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 16:31 "He said to him,'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 18:31 He took the twelve aside, and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 24:25 He said to them, "Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 24:27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:45 It is written in the prophets,'They will all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 8:52 Then the Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say,'If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 8:53 Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 2:17 And it will come about, in the last days, says God, that I will send out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will be prophets, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams:
(BBE)

Acts 2:18 And on my men-servants and my women-servants I will send my Spirit, and they will be prophets.
(BBE)

Acts 3:18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 3:24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 3:25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham,'In your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:42 But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets,'Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 11:27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 13:1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 13:15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 13:27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had put his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they had the power of talking in tongues, and acting like prophets.
(BBE)

Acts 21:9 And he had four daughters, virgins, who were prophets.
(BBE)

Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 28:23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 1:2 which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 3:21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 11:3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn't of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
(WEB)

Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NAS)

1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all are teaching as prophets, and a man without faith or knowledge comes in, he is tested by all, he is judged by all;
(BBE)

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:31 For you may all be prophets in turn so that all may get knowledge and comfort;
(BBE)

1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:39 So then, my brothers, let it be your chief desire to be prophets; but let no one be stopped from using tongues.
(BBE)

Ephesians 2:20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Thessalonians 2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:20 Do not make little of the words of the prophets;
(BBE)

1 Timothy 1:18 This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight,
(BBE)

1 Timothy 4:14 Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you.
(BBE)

Titus 1:12 One of their prophets has said, The men of Crete are ever false, evil beasts, lovers of food, hating work.
(BBE NIV)

Hebrews 1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 11:32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 5:10 Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 1:12 And it was made clear to those prophets that they were God's servants not for themselves but for you, to give you word of the things which have now come to your ears from the preachers of the good news through the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; things which even angels have a desire to see.
(BBE)

2 Peter 1:19 And so the words of the prophets are made more certain; and it is well for you to give attention to them as to a light shining in a dark place, till the dawn comes and the morning star is seen in your hearts;
(BBE NIV)

2 Peter 1:20 Being conscious in the first place that no man by himself may give a special sense to the words of the prophets.
(BBE)

2 Peter 1:21 For these words did not ever come through the impulse of men: but the prophets had them from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
(BBE)

2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Peter 3:2 that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 John 4:1 Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 10:7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 11:3 And I will give orders to my two witnesses, and they will be prophets for a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed with haircloth.
(BBE)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Prophets

A class of men of God, especially in the Old Testament dispensation, inspired to foretell future and secret events; and who also revealed he will of God as to current events and duties, and were his ambassadors to men. But the word is sometimes used in a wider sense; thus Aaron was Moses; prophet, Exodus 7:1, appointed to deliver to the people the messages that Moses received from God; the sacred musicians are said to prophecy, 1 Chronicles 25:1; and Paul gives the name, according to the custom of the Greeks, to the poet Aratus, "a prophet of their own," Titus 1:12. Scripture does not withhold the name of prophet from impostors, although they falsely boasted of inspiration. As true prophets, when filled y the energy of God's Spirit, were sometimes fervidly and vehemently agitated, similar motions were called prophesying when exhibited by persons who were filled with an evil spirit, "prophesied in his house," 1 Samuel 18:10. In the New Testament, the "prophets" were a class of men supernaturally endowed, and standing next to the apostles. They seem to have spoken from immediate inspiration, whether in reference to future events of to the mind of the Spirit generally, as in expounding the oracles of God. See 1 1 Corinthians 11:4 14:1,30, etc. Thus it is said in Acts 13:1, that Judas and Silas were prophets; that there were in the church at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, that is, official instructors. God has set in the church, first apostles, then prophets, 1 1 Corinthians 12:28. See also Ephesians 2:20 Revelation 18:20 Acts 21:9.

The Old Testament prophets were special agents of Jehovah, raised up and sent as occasion required, to incite to duty, to convict of sin, to call to repentance and reformation, to instruct kings, and denounce against nations the judgments of God, 2 Kings 17:13 Jeremiah 25:4. They aided the priest and Levites in teaching religion to the people, especially in the kingdom of Israel, from which the true priests of the Lord withdrew, 2 Kings 4:23; and cooperated with the kings in public measure to promote piety and virtue. They were humble, faithful, self-denying, fearless men, 2 Kings 1:8 Zechariah 13:4 Matthew 3:4; aloof from the pleasure and luxuries of life, 2 Kings 5:15; often persecuted, and slain, Matthew 23:34-37 Hebrews 11:32-38 James 2:10; but exerting a powerful influence as witnesses for God. Some of them were called from the plough and the herd, 1 Kings 19:20 Am 7:14 Zechariah 13:5. There were also "schools of the prophets," first mentioned in the time of Samuel, established at Gibeah, Naiotyh, Bethel, Gilgal, and Jericho, where young men were instructed in religion and prepared to guide in religious worship, 1 Samuel 10:5 19:20 2 Kings 2:3,5 4:38. Many of the "sons of the prophets" here taught became not only religious teachers, but inspired prophets. Amos speaks of his own case as an exception, Am 7:14,15. There are several prophetesses mentioned in Scripture; as Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah; and in the New Testament, Anna, Elisabeth, and Mary, and the four daughters of Philip seem to have partaken for a time of prophetic inspiration.

The prophets received their messages from God, sometimes in visions, trances, and dreams. Compare Numbers 24:2-16 Joel 2:28 Acts 10:11, 12 Revelation 1:10-20. These revelations were at times attended with overpowering manifestations of the Godhead; and at other times were simply breathed into the mind by the Spirit of God. Their messages were delivered to the kings, princes, and priests whom they most concerned, or to the people at large, in writing, or by word of mouth and in public places; often with miracles, or with symbolic actions designed to explain and enforce them, Isaiah 20:1-6 Jeremiah 7:2 19:1-15 Ezekiel 3:10.

The Old Testament contains the inspired writings of sixteen of the Hebrew prophets; four of whom, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel are called the greater prophets and the other twelve the minor prophets. Respecting the true chronological order of the prophets, there is in some cases great diversity of opinion. Below is given the arrangement preferred by some; while others, so far as the minor prophets ace concerned, adhere to that given in the Hebrew Bible and our common version. See each name in its place, for further particulars.

1. Jonah, during the reign of Jeroboam III, king of Israel, which commenced 825 B. C.; or perhaps as early as Joash, the predecessor of Jeroboam.

2. Joel, under Uzziah king of Judah, nearly 800 B. C., before Amos and Hosea came upon the stage.

3. Amos, under Uzziah king of Judah, and during the latter years of Jeroboam II, king of Israel. About 787 B. C.

4. Hosea, under Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and under Jeroboam II And his successors, kings of Israel. From about 785 to 725 B. C.

5. Isaiah, near the death of Uzziah king of Judah, and the beginning of the reign of Jotham, B. C. 758, to the reign of Manasseh, B. C. 697.

6. Micah, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Jotham began to reign B. C. 758, and Hezekiah died B. C. 697. Thus Micah was contemporary with Isaiah

7. Nahum, in the latter part of the reign of Hezekiah, and after the expedition of Sennacherib. Between 710 and 700 B. C.

8. Zephaniah, soon after the beginning of the reign of Josiah, and before the destruction of Nineveh. About B. C. 630.

9. Jeremiah, in the thirteenth year of Josiah king of Judah, B. C. 628. Jeremiah continued to prophesy under Shallum, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah, to the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, B. C. 588. It is supposed he died two years afterwards in Egypt.

10. Habakkuk, in Judah, near the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, about 610 B. C., and before the coming of Nebuchadnezzar.

11. Obadiah, near the fall and captivity of Jerusalem, B. C. 588, and before the desolation of Idumaea.

12. Ezekiel, carried captive to Babylon with Jeconiah king of Judah, 598 B. C. He began to prophesy about B. C. 590; and continued, under Nebuchadnezzar, till fourteen years, after the final capture of Jerusalem B. C. 588.

13. Daniel, taken into Chaldea while young, B. C. 606, the fourth year of Jehoiadim king of Judah. He prophesied in Babylon to the end of the captivity and probably finished about 534 B. C.

14. Haggai, returned from the captivity B. C. 536, and prophesied in the second year of Darius son of Hystaspes, B. C. 520.

15. Zechariah, prophesied in Judea at the same time as Haggai, B. C. 520, and seems to have continued after him.

16. Malachi supposed to have prophesied about 416 B. C., in the latter part of the administration of Nehemiah at Jerusalem.

Christ, of whom all the prophets bore witness, Luke 24:27,44 Acts 10:43 1 Peter 1:10-11, is eminently THE PROPHET of his church in all ages, De 18:15-19 Acts 3:22-24; revealing to them, by his inspired servants, by himself, and by his Spirit, all we know of God and immortality.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

PROPHECY; PROPHETS

prof'-e-si, prof'-e-si, prof'-ets:

I. THE IDEA OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY

1. The Seer and Speaker of God

2. Prophetical Inspiration

3. Relation to Dreams

4. Freedom of Inspiration

5. Supernatural Visions of the Future

6. The Fulfillment

II. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPHETIC OFFICE

1. Abraham

2. Moses

3. Period of the Judges

4. Schools of Prophets

5. Period of the Kings

6. Literary Prophets, Amos, Hosea

7. Poetical Form of Prophecy

8. Prophets of Judah, Isaiah, and Others Down to Jeremiah

9. During the Exile, Ezekiel, Deutero-Isaiah, Daniel

10. After the Exile, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

11. Cessation of Prophecy

12. Prophecy in the New Testament

III. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PROPHECY

1. Contents of Prophecy

2. Conception of the Messiah

3. Before the Exile (through Judgment to Deliverance)

4. Analogous Ideas among Heathen Peoples

5. During the Exile (Ezekiel, Deutero-Isaiah)

6. After the Exile (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)

7. Contemporaneous Character of Prophecy

8. Partial Character of Prophecy

9. Perspective Character of Prophecy

IV. ANALOGOUS PHENOMENA AMONG THE GENTILES

1. Necromancy and Technical Witchcraft

2. The Mantle Art

3. Contents of Extra-Biblical Oracles

LITERATURE

I. The Idea of Biblical Prophecy.

1. The Seer and Speaker of God:

According to the uniform teaching of the Bible the prophet is a speaker of or for God. His words are not the production of his own spirit, but come from a higher source. For he is at the same time, also, a seer, who sees things that do not lie in the domain of natural sight, or who hears things which human ears do not ordinarily receive; compare 1 Samuel 9:9, where nabhi', "speaker," and ro'eh, "seer," are used as synonymous terms. Jeremiah 23:16 and Ezekiel 13:2 are particularly instructive in this regard. In these passages a sharp distinction is made between those persons who only claim to be prophets but who prophesy "out of their own heart," and the true prophets who declare the word which the Lord has spoken to them. In the latter case the contents of the prophecy have not originated in their own reflection or calculation; and just as little is this prophecy the product of their own feelings, fears or hopes, but, as something extraneous to man and independent of him, it has with a divine certainty entered the soul of the prophet. The prophet has seen that which he prophesies, although he need not have seen it in the form of a real vision. He can also "see" words with his inner eyes (Isaiah 2:1, and often). It is only another expression for this when it is frequently said that God has spoken to the prophet. In this case too it is not necessary that there must have been a voice which he could hear phonetically through his natural ear. The main thing is that he must have been able sharply to distinguish the contents of this voice from his own heart, i.e. from his personal consciousness. Only in this way is he capable of speaking to the people in the name of God and able to publish his word as that of Yahweh. In this case he is the speaker of Yahweh (nabhi'), or the mouth of the Lord (compare Ezekiel 7:1 with 4:16). Under these conditions he then regards it as absolute compulsion to speak, just as a person must be filled with fear when he hears a lion roar nearby (Amos 3:8). The words burn in his soul until he utters them (Jeremiah 20:7, 9).

2. Prophetical Inspiration:

The divine power, which comes over a human being and compels him to see or to hear things which otherwise would be hidden from him, is called by various terms expressive of inspiration. It is said that the Spirit of God has come over someone (Numbers 24:2); or has fallen upon him (Ezekiel 11:5); or that the hand of Yahweh has come over him and laid hold of him (2 Kings 3:15 Ezekiel 1:3; Ezekiel 3:14, 22, and often); or that the Holy Spirit has been put on him as a garment, i.e. has been incorporated in him (1 Chronicles 12:18 2 Chronicles 24:20); or that the Spirit of revelation has permanently descended upon him (Numbers 11:25 2 Kings 2:15 Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 61:1); or that God has given this Spirit of His (Numbers 11:29 Isaiah 42:1); or pours Him out upon man (Joel 2:28 Hebrews 3:1 f). But this inspiration is not such that it suppresses the human consciousness of the recipient, so that he would receive the word of God in the state of sleep or trance. But rather the recipient is in possession of his full consciousness, and is able afterward to give a clear account of what happened. Nor is the individuality of the prophet eliminated by this divine inspiration; unconsciously this individuality cooperates in the formal shaping of that which has been seen and heard. In accordance with the natural peculiarity of the prophet and with the contents of the message, the psychological condition of the recipient may be that of intense excitement or of calmness. As a rule the inspiration that takes possession of the prophets is evidenced also by an exalted and poetical language, which assumes a certain rhythmical character, but is not bound to a narrow and mechanical meter. It is, however, also possible that prophetical utterances find their expression in plain prose. The individual peculiarity of the prophet is a prime factor also in the form in which the revelation comes to him. In the one prophet we find a preponderance of visions; another prophet has no visions. But the visions of the future which he sees are given in the forms and the color which have been furnished by his own consciousness. All the more the form in which the prophet gives expression to his word of God is determined by his personal talents and gifts as also by his experiences.

3. Relation to Dreams:

In a certain respect the dream can be cited as an analogous phenomenon, in which also the ideas that are slumbering in the soul uninvited put in their appearance without being controlled by consciousness and reason. On the other hand, prophecy differs pecifically from dreams, first, because the genuine prophetical utterance is received when the prophet is clearly conscious, and, secondly, because such an utterance brings with it a much greater degree of certainty and a greater guaranty of its higher origin than is done even by a dream that seems to be prophetical. In Jeremiah 23:25; it is declared that these two are entirely dissimilar, and the relation between the two is compared to straw and wheat. The Moslem Arabs also put a much lower estimate on the visionary dream than on the prophetic vision in a waking condition.

4. Freedom of Inspiration:

Because this Spirit of God acts with full freedom, He can select His organs at will from among every station, age, or sex. The Spirit is not confined to any priestly class or organization. It indeed was the case at times that a prophet gathered disciples around himself, who could themselves in turn also be seized by his spirit, although the transmission of this spirit was a difficult matter (2 Kings 2:10). Yet genuine prophecies continued to be at all times a free gift of the sovereign God. Amos (7:14) appeals expressly to this fact, that he did not himself choose the prophet's calling nor was the pupil of a prophetic school, but that he had been directly called by Yahweh from his daily occupation as a shepherd and workman. In the same way we indeed find prophets who belonged to the priestly order (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others), but equally great is the number of those who certainly did not so belong. Further, age made no difference in the call to the prophetic office. Even in his earliest youth Samuel was called to be a prophet (1 Samuel 3:1), and it did not avail Jeremiah anything when he excused himself because of his youth (Jeremiah 1:6). Then, too, a woman could be seized by this Spirit. From time to time prophetesses appeared, although the female sex is by no means so prominent here as it is in the sorcery of the heathen. See PROPHETESS. As an exceptional case the Spirit of God could lay hold even of a person who inwardly was entirely estranged from Him and could make an utterance through him (compare Saul, 1 Samuel 10:11; 1 Samuel 19:24; Balaam, Numbers 23; Caiaphas, John 11:51). As a rule, however, God has selected such prophetic organs for a longer service. These persons are called and dedicated for this purpose by Him through a special act (compare Moses Exodus 3:1;; 1 Kings 19:16, 19;; Isaiah 6 Jeremiah 1 Ezekiel 1). This moment was decisive for their whole lives and constituted their authorization as far as they themselves and others were concerned. Yet for each prophetic appearance these men receive a special enlightenment. The prophet does not at all times speak in an inspired state; compare Nathan (2 Samuel 7:3), who afterward was compelled to take back a word which he had spoken on his own authority. Characteristic data on the mental state of the prophets in the reception and in the declaration of the divine word are found in Jeremiah 15:16; 20:7;. Originally Jeremiah felt it as a joy that Yahweh spoke to him (compare Ezekiel 3:3), but then he lost all pleasure in life and would have preferred not to have uttered this word, but he could not do as he desired.

5. Supernatural Visions of the Future:

The attempt has often been made to explain prophecy as a natural product of purely human factors. Rationalistic theologians regarded the prophets as enthusiastic teachers of religion and morals, as warm patriots and politicians, to whom they ascribed nothing but a certain ability of guessing the future. But this was no explanation of the facts in the case. The prophets were themselves conscious of this, that they were not the intellectual authors of their higher knowledge. This consciousness is justified by the fact that they were in a condition to make known things which lay beyond their natural horizon and which were contrary to all probability. Those cases are particularly instructive in this respect which beyond a doubt were recorded by the prophets themselves. Ezekiel could indeed, on the basis of moral and religious reflections, reach the conviction that Zedekiah of Jerusalem would not escape his punishment for his political treachery and for his disobedience to the word of Yahweh; but he could never from this source have reached the certainty that this king, as the prophet describes the case in 12:8;, was to be taken captive while trying to escape from the besieged city and was then to be blinded and taken to Babylon. Just as little could he in Babylon know the exact day when the siege of Jerusalem began (24:2). If this prophet had learned of these things in a natural way and had afterward clothed them in the form of prophecy, he would have been guilty of a deception, something unthinkable in the case of so conscientious a preacher of morality. But such cases are frequently met with. Jeremiah predicts to Hananiah that he would die during the year (28:16), but it is not only such matters of detail that presuppose an extraordinary vision of the prophet. The whole way also in which Jeremiah predicts the destruction of Jerusalem as inevitable, in direct contrast to the hopes of the Jerusalemites and to the desires of his own heart, shows that he was speaking under divine compulsion, which was more powerful than his own reflections and sympathies. On any other presupposition his conduct would have been reprehensible cowardice. The case of Isaiah is exactly the same. When he gives to Ahaz the word of God as a guaranty that the Syrians and the Ephraimites would not capture Jerusalem (7:4;), and when he promises Hezekiah that the Assyrians would not shoot an arrow into the city, but would return without having accomplished their purpose (37:22, 33), these things were so much in contradiction to all the probabilities of the course events would take that he would have been a frivolous adventurer had he not received his information from higher sources. Doubtless it was just these predictions which established and upheld the influence of the prophets. Thus in the case of Amos it was his prediction of a great earthquake, which did occur two years later (1:1); in the case of Elijah, the prediction of the long dearth (1 Kings 17:1); in the case of Elisha the undertakings of the enemies (2 Kings 6:12), and in other cases. It is indeed true that the contents of the prophetic discourses are not at all confined to the future. Everything that God has to announce to mankind, revelations concerning His will, admonitions, warnings, He is able to announce through the mouth of the prophet. But His determinations with reference to the future as a rule are connected with prophetical utterances of the latter kind. The prophets are watchmen, guardians of the people, who are to warn the nation, because they see the dangers and the judgments approaching, which must put in their appearance if the divine will is disregarded. The prophets interpret also for the people that which is happening and that which has occurred, e.g. the defeats which they have suffered at the hands of their enemies, or the grasshopper plague (Joel), or a famine. They lay bare the inner reason for external occurrences and explain such events in their connection with the providential government of God. This gives to prophecy a powerful inner unity, notwithstanding the great differences of times and surrounding circumstances. It is prophecy which the Hebrew people must thank for their higher conception of history. This people know of a Highest Author of all things and of a positive end, which all things that transpire must serve. God's plan has for its purpose to bring about the complete supremacy of His will among the children of men.

6. The Fulfillment:

In genuine prophecy, according to Biblical conceptions, the fulfillment constitutes an integral part. This is set up by Deuteronomy 18:21 as a proof of the genuineness of a prophetic utterance. The prophetic word "falls to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19) if it is not "raised up" (heqim, "fulfil," for which we more rarely find mille', but regularly in the New Testament plerousthai "being fulfilled") by the course of events. It would remain an empty word if it did not attain to its full content through its realization. In fact, in the word spoken by the prophet itself there dwells a divine power, so that at the moment when he speaks the event takes place, even if it is not yet visible to man. This realization is also not infrequently represented symbolically by the prophet in confirmation of his prediction. Thus in a certain sense it is the prophet himself who through his word builds up and pulls down, plants and roots out (Jeremiah 1:10; Jeremiah 25:15). But the fulfillment can be judged by the contemporaries in the sense of Deuteronomy 18:22 only when this fulfillment refers to the near future and when special emphasis is laid on external events. In these cases the prediction of certain events assumes the significance of a "sign" (compare Jeremiah 28:16 Isaiah 8:1;; 37:30, and elsewhere). In other cases it is only later generations who can judge of the correctness of a prediction or of a threat. In this way in Zechariah 1:6 the fulfillment of a threat is declared, and in the New Testament often the fulfillment of a promise is after a long time pointed out. But it is not the case that a genuine prophecy must be fulfilled like an edict of fate. Such prophecy is not an inevitable decree of fate, but is a word of the living God to mankind, and therefore conditioned ethically, and God can, if repentance has followed, withdraw a threat (Jeremiah 18:2; case of Jonah), or the punishment can be mitigated (1 Kings 21:29). A prediction, too, Yahweh can recall if the people prove unworthy (Jeremiah 18:9 f). A favorable or an unfavorable prediction can also be postponed, as far as its realization is concerned, to later times, if it belongs to the ultimate counsels of God, as e.g. the final judgment and deliverance on the last day. This counsel also may be realized successively. In this case the prophet already collects into one picture what is realized gradually in a longer historical development. The prophet in general spoke to his hearers in such a way as could be understood by them and could be impressed on them. It is therefore not correct to demand a fulfillment pedantically exact in the form of the historical garb of the prophecy. The main thing is that the divine thought contained in the prophecy be entirely and completely realized. But not infrequently the finger of God can be seen in the entirely literal fulfillment of certain prophecies. This is especially the case in the New Testament in the appearance of the Son of Man, in whom all the rays of Old Testament prophecy have found their common center.

II. Historical Development of the Prophetic Office.

1. Abraham:

It is a characteristic peculiarity of the religion of the Old Testament that its very elementary beginnings are of a prophetical nature. The fathers, above all Abraham, but also Isaac and Jacob, are the recipients of visions and of divine revelations. Especially is this true of Abraham, who appeared to the foreigners, to whom he was neither kith or kin, to be indeed a prophet (nabhi') (Genesis 20:7; compare Psalm 105:15), although in his case the command to preach the word was yet absent.

2. Moses:

Above all, the creative founder of the Israelite national religion, Moses, is a prophet in the eminent sense of the word. His influence among the people is owing neither to his official position, nor to any military prowess, but solely and alone to the one circumstance, that since his call at the burning bush God has spoken to him. This intercourse between God and Moses was ever of a particularly intimate character. While other men of God received certain individual messages only from time to time and through the mediation of dreams and visions, Yahweh spoke directly and "face to face" with Moses (Numbers 12:6 Deuteronomy 34:10; compare Exodus 33:11). Moses was the permanent organ through whom Yahweh brought about the Egyptian plagues and through whom He explained what these meant to His people, as also through whom He led and ruled them. The voice of Moses too had to explain to them the divine signs in the desert and communicate to them the commandments of God. The legislation of Moses shows that he was not only filled with the Spirit of God occasionally, but that he abode with God for longer periods of time and produced something that is a well-ordered whole. A production such as the Law is the result of a continuous association with God.

3. Period of the Judges:

Since that time revelation through prophecy was probably never entirely wanting in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:15). But this fountain did not always flow with the same fullness or clearness. During the period of the Judges the Spirit of God urged the heroes who served Yahweh rather to deeds than to words. Yet Deborah enjoyed a high rank as a prophetess, and for a long time pronounced decisions of justice in the name of the Lord before she, through her prophetical utterances, aroused the people to rise up against their oppressors. What is said in 1 Samuel 3:1 concerning the times of Eli can be applied to this whole period, namely that the word and vision of the prophet had become rare in the land. All the more epoch-making was the activity of Samuel, who while yet a boy received divine revelations (1 Samuel 3:1). He was by the whole people regarded as a "seer" whose prophecies were always fulfilled (3:19). The passage 1 Samuel 9:6; shows that the people expected of such a man of God that he should also as a clairvoyant come to the assistance of the people in the troubles of life. Such a professional clairvoyant, indeed, Samuel was not, as he was devoted entirely to the service of his God and of his people and obeyed the Divine Spirit, even in those cases when he was compelled to act contrary to his personal inclinations, as was the case when the kingdom was established in Israel (8:6;).

4. Schools of Prophets:

Since the days of Samuel we hear of schools of prophets, or "sons of prophets." These associations probably originated in this way, that an experienced prophet attracted to himself bands of youths, who sought to receive a measure of his spirit. These disciples of the prophets, together with their families, lived in colonies around the master. Possibly Samuel was the first who founded such a school of prophets. For in or near the city of Ramah we first find nayoth, or colonies of such disciples (1 Samuel 19:18; 1 Samuel 20:1). Among these pupils is found to a much greater extent than among the teachers a certain ecstatic feature. They arouse their feelings through music and induce a frantic condition which also affects others in the same way, in which state they "prophesy" and, throwing off their garments, fall to the ground. In later times too we find traces of such ecstatic phenomena. Thus e.g. in Zechariah 13:6 1 Kings 20:37, 38, the "wounds" on the breast or on the forehead recall the self-mutilation of the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:28). The deeds, suggestive of what the dervishes of our own day do, probably were phenomena quite similar to the action of the prophets of the surrounding tribes. But that prophecy in Israel was not, as is now not infrequently claimed, merely a less crude form of the heathen prophetic institution, is proved by such men as Moses and Samuel, who even in their times represent something much higher. Also in the colonies of prophets there was assuredly not to be found merely an enthusiasm without the Spirit of God. Proof for this is Samuel, the spiritual father of this colony, as Elijah was for the later colonies of this kind. These places were rather the centers of a religious life, where communion with God was sought by prayer and meditation, and where the recollection of the great deeds of God in the past seemed to prepare for the reception of new revelations. From such centers of theocratic ideas and ideals without a doubt there came forth also corresponding influences that affected the people. Perhaps not only was sacred music cultivated at these places but also sacred traditions, which were handed down orally and in writing. Certain it is that at these colonies the religion of Yahweh prevailed.

5. Period of the Kings:

During the period of the kings prophetically inspired men frequently appeared, who demanded even of the kings that they should submit to their divinely-inspired word. Saul, who refused such submission, perished as the result of this conflict. David owed much to the support of the prophets Samuel, Nathan, Gad (1 Samuel 16:1 2 Samuel 7 2 Chronicles 29:25, and elsewhere). But David also bowed in submission when these prophets rebuked him because of his transgression of the divine commands (2 Samuel 12; 2 Samuel 24). His son Solomon was educated by the prophet Nathan. But the destruction of his kingdom was predicted by the prophet Abijah, the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29). Since Yahweh, as the supreme Sovereign, has the right to enthrone or to dethrone kings, this is often done through the mouths of the prophets (compare 1 Kings 14:7;; 16:1;). After the division of the kingdom we find Shemaiah forbidding Rehoboam to begin a war with his brethren of Israel (1 Kings 12:21; compare 2 Chronicles 11:2; compare another mission of the same prophet, 2 Chronicles 12:5). On the other hand in the Northern Kingdom the prophetic word is soon turned against the untheocratic rule of Jeroboam (1 Kings 13; 1 Kings 14). It is in this very same Northern Kingdom that the prophets unfolded their full activity and generally in opposition to the secular rulers, although there was no lack of accommodating "prophets," who were willing to sanction everything that the king wanted. The opposition of the true prophets to these false representatives of prophecy is illustrated in the story of Micaiah, the son of Imlah (1 Kings 22). But a still higher type of prophecy above the ordinary is found in Elijah, whose historic mission it was to fight to the finish the battle between the followers of Yahweh and the worship of the Tyrian Baal. He was entirely a man of action; every one of his words is a deed on a grand scale (compare concerning Elijah and Elisha the article ISRAEL, RELIGION OF). His successor Elisha inherited from him not only his mantle, but also a double measure of his spiritual gifts. He exhibits the prophetic office more from its loving side. He is accustomed to visit the schools of prophets found scattered throughout the land, calls the faithful together around himself on the Sabbaths and the new moons (2 Kings 4:23), and in this way establishes centers of a more spiritual culture than was common elsewhere among the people. We read that first-fruits were brought to him as to the priests (2 Kings 4:42). But while the activity of Elijah was entirely in antagonism to the ruling house in the kingdom, this feature is not entirely lacking in the work of Elisha also. He has even been charged with wicked conspiracies against the dynasty of Omri and the king of Syria (2 Kings 8; 2 Kings 9). His conduct in connection with these events can be excused only on the ground that he was really acting in the name of a higher Master. But in general it was possible for Elisha, after the radical change in public sentiment that had followed upon the work of Elijah, in later time to assume a more friendly attitude toward the government and the people. He often assisted the kings in their arduous contests with the Syrians (compare 2 Kings 6:8;; 13:14;). His deeds are generally of a benevolent character. In connection with these he exhibits to a remarkable degree the gift of prophetic foresight (2 Kings 4:16; 2 Kings 5:26; 2 Kings 6:8; 7:1 ; 8:10, 12; 9:6 ; 13:19). Jonah, too, the son of Amittai, had at that time a favorable message for the Northern Kingdom (2 Kings 14:25).

6. Literary Prophets, Amos, Hosea:

However, the flourishing condition of the kingdom under Jeroboam II had an unfavorable influence on its spiritual development. Soon Amos and Hosea were compelled to announce to this kingdom its impending destruction through a great world-power. These two prophets have left us books. To put prophetic utterances into written form had already been introduced before this. At any rate, many scholars are of the conviction that the prophecies of Obadiah and Joel belong to an earlier period, although others place them in the post-exilic period. In any case, the expectation of a day of settlement by Yahweh with His people was already in the days of Amos common and current (5:18;). As the writing of individual prophecies (Isaiah 8:1; Isaiah 30:8 Habakkuk 2:2 f) had for its purpose the preserving of these words in permanent authentic form and later to convince the reader of their wonderful fulfillment, thus too the writing down of larger collections of prophecies had for its purpose to intensify the power of the prophetic word and to secure this as a permanent possession of the people (Jeremiah 30:2; Jeremiah 36:1). Pupils of the prophets assisted them in this writing and in preserving their books (compare Jeremiah 36:4 Isaiah 8:16).

7. Poetical Form of Prophecy:

It is to this custom that we owe our knowledge of the very words of the utterances of many of the prophets of a later period.

Read Complete Article...

SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS

See EDUCATION; PROPHETS.

FALSE PROPHETS

See PROPHESYINGS, FALSE.

Greek

4293. prokataggello -- to announce beforehand
... 4293 (from 4253 , "before," 2596 , "down" and , "declare") -- properly, announce ,
as when the Lord reveals the future to His prophets. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4293.htm - 7k

4397. prophetikos -- prophetic
... prophet. See 4394 (). Word Origin from prophetes Definition prophetic NASB
Word Usage prophetic (1), prophets (1). prophetic. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4397.htm - 7k

484. antilempsis -- a laying hold of, help
... See 482 (). 1 Cor 12:28: "And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, (484 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/484.htm - 7k

4396. prophetes -- a prophet (an interpreter or forth-teller of ...
... Word Origin from a comp. of pro and phemi Definition a prophet (an interpreter or
forth-teller of the divine will) NASB Word Usage prophet (63), prophets (81). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4396.htm - 8k

320. anagnosis -- recognition, reading
... anagnosis Phonetic Spelling: (an-ag'-no-sis) Short Definition: reading Definition:
recognition, reading; public reading (of the law and prophets in synagogue ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/320.htm - 6k

4187. polutropos -- in many ways
... This includes revealing Himself in the OT when speaking through (in) the Hebrew
prophets in dreams, visions, etc. It is used only in Heb 1:1. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4187.htm - 7k

5578. pseudoprophetes -- a false prophet
... Word Origin from pseudes and prophetes Definition a false prophet NASB Word
Usage false prophet (4), false prophets (7). false prophet. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5578.htm - 8k

1700. emou -- me, mine, my.
... to them, 'These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that
all things which are written () in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1700.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

5121. Navith -- an abode of prophets
... 5120, 5121. Navith. 5122 . an abode of prophets. Transliteration: Navith
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-veeth') Short Definition: Naioth. ...
/hebrew/5121.htm - 6k

5030. nabi -- a spokesman, speaker, prophet
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a spokesman, speaker, prophet NASB Word
Usage prophecy (1), prophesy (1), prophet (165), prophets (147). ...
/hebrew/5030.htm - 6k

5029. nebi -- a prophet
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to nabi Definition a prophet NASB Word
Usage prophesied (1), prophet (2), prophets (2). prophet. ...
/hebrew/5029.htm - 6k

2374. chozeh -- a seer
... Word Origin active participle of chazah Definition a seer NASB Word Usage
pact (1), prophets (1), seer (12), seers (3). agreement ...
/hebrew/2374.htm - 6k

Library

The Story of Prophets and Kings
The Story of Prophets and Kings. <. The Story of Prophets and Kings Ellen
Gould White. Table of Contents. Title Page. Prophets and Kings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the story of prophets and kings/

The Antichrist in the Prophets
... The Antichrist in the Prophets. The references to the Antichrist in the
Prophets are numerous; nor is this to be wondered at. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the antichrist in the prophets.htm

Prophets and Kingsforeword
The Story of Prophets and Kings. <. ... Prophets and KingsFOREWORD. The
Story of Prophets and Kings is the second in a series ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/prophets and kingsforeword.htm

Prophets and the Prophet
... THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY PROPHETS AND THE PROPHET. ... The imperfect embodiments
of it in the past were prophecies as well as prophets. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/prophets and the prophet.htm

Messianic Predictions in the Prophets.
... MESSIANIC PREDICTIONS IN THE PROPHETS. After the time of Solomon, the Messianic
prediction was for a considerable time discontinued. ...
/.../christology of the old testament/messianic predictions in the prophets.htm

Inviolable Messiahs and Prophets
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV INVIOLABLE MESSIAHS AND PROPHETS. ... Saying, Touch not
Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm.'"Psalm 105:14, 15. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/inviolable messiahs and prophets.htm

How the Prophets and Holy Men of the Old Testament Knew the Things ...
... Sixth Book. 2. How the Prophets and Holy Men of the Old Testament Knew the
Things of Christ. "And this is the witness of John." [4812 ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/2 how the prophets and.htm

Prophets of the Northern Kingdom
The Story of Prophets and Kings. <. ... Prophets of the Northern Kingdom.
"Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/prophets of the northern kingdom.htm

Of the Hebrew Prophets.
... Chapter XXXI."Of the Hebrew prophets. There were, then, among the Jews
certain men who were prophets of God, through whom the ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xxxi of the hebrew prophets.htm

Antichrist in the Minor Prophets
... The Antichrist in the Prophets 5. Antichrist in the Minor Prophets. Here
a wide field of study is opened, but we must content ourself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/5 antichrist in the minor.htm

Subtopics

False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets

False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert

False Prophets: Compared to Wind

False Prophets: Covetous

False Prophets: Crafty

False Prophets: Drunken

False Prophets: Immoral and Profane

False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits

False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin

False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against

False Prophets: Light and Treacherous