What is/was a Prophet?

A prophet in the Bible (also referred to as "seers" - 1 Samuel 9:9) was someone who revealed God’s messages to others. Some, like Moses, heard directly from God and passed on the words through writing or speech. Some, like Joseph and Daniel, interpreted the dreams and/or visions of others. The messages could be prophecies of the future, messages for the listener, or warnings for others. The life of a Godly prophet was never an easy one (see Acts of the Apostles 7:52-53). (1)

The word prophet comes from two Greek words: "pro," which means "before, in front of, or in place of," and "fayme," which means "to speak." A prophet, therefore, is someone who speaks in place of someone else. For example, Aaron spoke on behalf of his brother, Moses. (2) In Exodus 7:1, the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet."
 

FOOTNOTES:

(1) https://www.gotquestions.org/prophets-in-the-Bible.html
 

(2) https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_381.cfm

What is the Mission of a Prophet?

In Deuteronomy 18:18-19, God says, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put My words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I, Myself, will call to account anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My Name."

What is the relationship
between God and His prophets?

God speaks to Aaron and Miriam in Numbers 12:6. “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal Myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams."

Amos 3:7 discloses, "Surely, the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets."

How do I know
what is and isn't a Prophecy?

In Deuteronomy 18:21-22, Moses answers this question: "You may say to yourselves, 'How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?' If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed."

The prophet Ezekiel sums up the question nicely in Ezekiel 33:33. “When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Listed herein are Prophets as they are recorded in the Holy Bible. We've categorized them into separate charts - one with Old Testament Prophets and another with New Testament Prophets - which appear below. They also include additional identifying applicable info. Most importantly, we've included a source Scripture verse with each Prophet. Almost all Prophets have multiple mentions in the Bible, ranging from a handful to a boatload.

All Prophets listed have a free standing webpage here at The Downriver Disciples Project. Simply click on their name to be re-directed to their respective pages!

For a printer friendly version of this webpage, please click on the PDF offered in the lower sidebar. If we've missed something or there's a Prophet not listed herein, modifications are welcome and encouraged at goodnews@downriverdisciples.com.

In the table below, an asterisk (*) identifies female Prophets (a Prophetess).

BONUS RESOURCE!

To explore the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ, check out THIS LINK.
A free printer friendly document is included!