Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7700 Leadership and the people of God  »  7772 prophets  »  7773 prophets, role of

As agents of God, prophets acted in various capacities, as was required of them, in order to carry out his will and fulfil his purpose.

Prophets as God's spokesmen

They heralded impending judgment

Jonah 3:4 See also 1 Kings 16:7; 2 Kings 22:15-17 pp 2 Chronicles 34:23-25; Jeremiah 1:14-16; Jeremiah 5:14-17; Ezekiel 5:8-12; Ezekiel 38:17

They advocated repentance

2 Kings 17:13 See also 2 Chronicles 24:19; Jeremiah 3:12-13; Jeremiah 35:15; Jeremiah 44:4; Zechariah 1:3-6

They conveyed messages from God to the nations

Ezekiel 25:8-11 See also Jeremiah 46:13; Jeremiah 47:1; Jeremiah 49:34; Jeremiah 50:1; Ezekiel 25:2,12-14; Ezekiel 26:3; Amos 1:9; Ezekiel 29:2; Amos 1:3,6,13; Amos 2:1

The supernatural activities of prophets

They revealed future events

Ezekiel 17:16-21 See also 1 Kings 11:29-31; Kings 20:13; Isaiah 7:13-14 the birth of Immanuel; Jeremiah 29:10; Daniel 2:38-44; Daniel 9:2; Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1

Herod's slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem:

Matthew 2:17-18; Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4; Acts 3:18; Acts 11:27-29; Acts 21:10-11

They received dreams and visions

Numbers 12:6 See also Ezekiel 7:26; Daniel 7:1; Daniel 8:1; Hosea 12:10

They worked miracles

2 Kings 5:3 See also 1 Kings 17:13-24; 2 Kings 4:3-6,15-17,32-35,40-44; Kings 6:5-6

Prophets as intermediaries

Between God and the people

Deuteronomy 18:16-18 See also Exodus 6:30-7:1; 2 Samuel 7:4-7; Samuel 12:7-14,24-25; Samuel 24:11-12; 1 Kings 20:42; 2 Kings 20:1 pp Isaiah 38:1; 2 Chronicles 12:5; 2 C 9-11

Between the people and God

1 Samuel 7:9 See also Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 20:11; 2 Chronicles 32:20; Jeremiah 11:14; Jeremiah 27:18; Ezekiel 14:7

Their responsibility as watchmen

Ezekiel 3:17-21 The intermediary role of the prophet is highlighted by the image of a watchman who receives messages from God and conveys them to the people. See also Ezekiel 33:1-7; Hosea 9:8

Prophets as leaders in the community

They gave advice

Zechariah 7:2-3 See also 1 Samuel 9:6; 1 Kings 22:6; 2 Kings 3:11; Kings 6:8-10; Kings 22:14 pp 2 Chronicles 34:22; 2 Chronicles 29:25; Isaiah 37:2

They gave encouragement

Acts 15:32 See also Ezra 5:1-2; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Ezekiel 11:17-21; Haggai 1:13; Haggai 2:4

They led the people

Hosea 12:13 See also Deuteronomy 18:15; 1 Samuel 7:6; 1 Kings 18:40

They appointed kings and leaders

1 Samuel 10:1 See also 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 1:34,38; Kings 19:15-16; 2 Kings 9:6

Prophets as writers

1 Chronicles 29:29 See also 2 Chronicles 9:29; Corinthians 13:22; 2 C 22; 2 C 32; Isaiah 30:8; Jeremiah 30:2; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 51:60; Ezekiel 43:11; Habakkuk 2:2

See also

1427  prophecy
1443  revelation, OT
1690  word of God
5777  admonition
5926  rebuke
6223  rebellion of Israel
6732  repentance
7734  leaders, spiritual
7781  seer
8611  prayer for others
9210  judgment, God's