Prophets in the Bible were most often leaders in Israel who spoke to the people of God on His behalf. They were called prophets because they spoke forth the Word of God when they declared their messages and conveyed His will to God’s people. Prophets reproved, counseled, and predicted the future. Prophets preached of warfare and peace, famine, plague, and deliverance from those things that threatened their lives. As a prophetess, Huldah (see 2 Kings 22:14–20) is a good role model for women today.
There are also many prophets mentioned in the New Testament, such as John the Baptist and Jesus Christ himself. Prophets were sometimes called apostles because they were sent by God to deliver messages from Him to people on earth (1 Corinthians 12:28).
Some of these prophets wrote down what God told them to say; others did not write down anything that they said but merely spoke those things directly from their minds or hearts into other people’s ears (2 Samuel 23:2).
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Books Of Prophets In The Bible
The five books of The Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel) cover a significant time span and present a wide array of messages.
The terms Major Prophets and Minor Prophets are simply a way to divide the Old Testament prophetic books.
The Bible is a collection of books written by different people, at different times, and in different places. Not all of the books in the Bible were written by prophets.
The word “prophet” comes from the Greek word prophetes, which means “to speak forth.” A prophet is someone who speaks on behalf of God and tells others what God has told them. There are many prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, such as Moses and Isaiah.
major prophets in the bible
The Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
minor prophetic books of the bible
The Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The Minor Prophets are also sometimes called The Twelve.
The Major Prophets are described as “major” because their books are longer and the content has broad, even global implications. The Minor Prophets are described as “minor” because their books are shorter (although Hosea and Zechariah are almost as long as Daniel) and the content is more narrowly focused. That does not mean the Minor Prophets are any less inspired than the Major Prophets. It is simply a matter of God choosing to reveal more to the Major Prophets than He did to the Minor Prophets.
Both the Major and Minor Prophets are usually among the least popular books of the Bible for Christians to read. This is understandable with the often unusual prophetic language and the seemingly constant warnings and condemnations recorded in the prophecies. Still, there is much valuable content to be studied in the Major and Minor Prophets. We read of Christ’s birth in Isaiah and Micah. We learn of Christ’s atoning sacrifice in Isaiah. We read of Christ’s return in Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. We learn of God’s holiness, wrath, grace, and mercy in all of the Major and Minor Prophets. For that, they are most worthy of our attention and study.
When Christian scholars refer to the prophetic books of the Bible, they are talking primarily about the Old Testament Scriptures written by the prophets. The prophetic books are divided into categories of major and minor prophets. These labels do not refer to the importance of the prophets, but rather, to the length of the books authored by them. The books of the major prophets are long, while the books of the minor prophets are relatively short.
Prophetic Books of the Bible
Prophets have existed throughout every era of God’s relationship with mankind, but the Old Testament books of the prophets address the “classical” period of prophecy — from the later years of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, throughout the time of exile, and into the years of Israel’s return from exile. The prophetic books were written from the days of Elijah (874-853 BCE) until the time of Malachi (400 BCE).
According to the Bible, a true prophet was called and equipped by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform his job: to speak God’s message to specific people and cultures in specific situations, confront people with sin, warn of coming judgment and the consequences if people refused to repent and obey. As “seers,” prophets also brought a message of hope and future blessing for those who walked in obedience.
The Old Testament prophets pointed the way to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and showed humans their need for his salvation.
Major Prophets
Isaiah: Called the Prince of Prophets, Isaiah shines above all the other prophets of Scripture. A long-lived prophet of the 8th century BCE, Isaiah confronted a false prophet and predicted the coming of Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah: He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations. His ministry lasted from 626 BCE until 587 BCE. Jeremiah preached throughout Israel and is famous for his efforts to reform idolatrous practices in Judah.
Lamentations: Scholarship favors Jeremiah as the author of Lamentations. The book, a poetic work, is placed here with the major prophets in English Bibles because of its authorship.
Ezekiel: Ezekiel is known for prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem and the eventual restoration of the land of Israel. He was born around 622 BCE, and his writings suggest he preached for about 22 years and was a contemporary of Jeremiah.
Daniel: In English and Greek Bible translations, Daniel is considered one of the major prophets; however, in the Hebrew canon, Daniel is part of “The Writings.” Born to a noble Jewish family, Daniel was taken into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in about 604 BCE. Daniel is a symbol of steadfast faith in God, most famously demonstrated by the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, when his faith saved him from a bloody death.
Minor Prophets
Hosea: An 8th-century prophet in Israel, Hosea is sometimes referred to as the “prophet of doom” for his predictions that worship of false gods would lead to the fall of Israel.
Joel: The dates of Joel’s life as a prophet of ancient Israel are unknown since the dating of this Bible book is in dispute. He may have lived anywhere from the 9th century BCE to the 5th century BCE.
Amos: A contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah, Amos preached from about 760 to 746 BCE in northern Israel on subjects of social injustice.
Obadiah: Little is known of his life, but by interpreting the prophecies in the book he authored, Obadiah likely lived some time in the 6th century BCE. His theme is the destruction of the enemies of God’s people.
Jonah: A prophet in northern Israel, Johan likely lived in 8th century BCE. The book of Jonah is different from the other prophetic books of the Bible. Typically, prophets issued warnings or gave instructions to the people of Israel. Instead, God told Jonah to evangelize in the city of Nineveh, home of Israel’s cruelest enemy.
Micah: He prophesied from approximately 737 to 696 BCE in Judah, and is known for predicting the destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria.
Nahum: Known for writing about the fall of the Assyrian empire, Nahum likely lived in northern Galilee. The date of his life is unknown, although most place authorship of his writings at about 630 BCE.
Habakkuk: Less is known about Habakkuk than any other prophet. The artistry of the book he authored has been widely praised. Habakkuk records a dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk asks some of the same questions people are puzzled by today: Why do the wicked prosper and good people suffer? Why doesn’t God stop the violence? Why doesn’t God punish evil? The prophet gets specific answers from God.
Zephaniah: He prophesied during the same time as Josiah, from about 641 to 610 BCE, in the area of Jerusalem. His book warns about consequences of disobedience to God’s will.
Haggai: Little is known about his life, but Haggai’s most famous prophecy has been dated to about 520 BCE, when he commands Jews to rebuild the temple in Judah.
Malachi: There is no clear consensus on when Malachi lived, but most Bible scholars place him at around 420 BCE. His primary theme is the justice and loyalty that God shows to mankind.
Isaiah
The book of Isaiah is one of the major prophetic books in the Bible. It is filled with prophecies about the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel. In Isaiah 7:14, it says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This verse is often cited as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because of his sorrow over the sins of Israel. In Jeremiah 29:11, it says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse is a reminder that God has good plans for His people, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel was a prophet who received vivid visions from God. In Ezekiel 37:1-14, it describes the vision of dry bones coming to life. “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” This passage symbolizes the spiritual renewal that God can bring to His people.
Daniel
Daniel was a prophet who served in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 3:24-25, it recounts the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. “He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’” This passage illustrates God’s protection over His faithful followers.
Minor Prophets
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
The books of the minor prophets contain messages of judgment, repentance, and hope for the Israelites. Each prophet spoke to a specific time and place in history, but their words are still relevant today.