1. Name / Role
Prophets
2. Category
Religious Roles
3. Time Period / Biblical Context
Prophets appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, with their primary prominence during the time of the kings of Israel and Judah (approximately 1050–400 BC). They also appear in the New Testament in the context of the early Church and are foretold to operate during eschatological events.
4. Origin / Background
The prophetic office originated as a divine calling rather than a hereditary or institutional role. Prophets were chosen by God to speak His word, often during times of national crisis, apostasy, or transition. They emerged alongside or in opposition to kings, priests, and false prophets to guide Israel according to God’s covenantal expectations.
5. Primary Role / Function
Prophets served as God’s spokespersons. They received divine revelations—through visions, dreams, or direct speech—and communicated these messages to individuals, nations, or kings. Their roles included warning of judgment, calling for repentance, offering hope, and predicting future events, including the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
6. Key Characteristics / Traits
- Directly commissioned by God
- Bold, often unpopular truth-tellers
- Operated outside religious institutions
- Experienced visions, dreams, and symbolic acts
- Suffered persecution, rejection, and isolation
7. Symbolism / Spiritual Significance
Prophets symbolise divine authority, moral clarity, and covenant accountability. They act as a bridge between heaven and earth, calling God’s people back to righteousness. Their lives often reflect the messages they preach. In Christian theology, prophets foreshadow Christ, the ultimate Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22), and remind believers of the Church’s prophetic mission in the world.
8. Notable Figures / Examples
- Moses – The first and greatest prophet, lawgiver, and deliverer (Deuteronomy 34:10)
- Elijah – Miracle-working prophet who confronted idolatry (1 Kings 17–19)
- Elisha – Successor to Elijah, known for signs and healing (2 Kings 2–6)
- Isaiah – Prophet of holiness and the coming Messiah
- Jeremiah – The “weeping prophet” who warned of Jerusalem’s fall
- Ezekiel – Visionary prophet of exile and restoration
- Daniel – Prophet in Babylon, known for apocalyptic visions
- John the Baptist – Forerunner of Christ and last of the Old Covenant prophets
- Agabus – New Testament prophet in the early Church (Acts 11:27–28; 21:10–11)
9. Related Bible References
- Deuteronomy 18:18–22 – God’s promise to raise up prophets
- 1 Kings 18 – Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal
- Isaiah 6 – Isaiah’s call and vision of God’s holiness
- Jeremiah 1:4–10 – Jeremiah’s call to prophetic ministry
- Ezekiel 2–3 – Commissioning of Ezekiel
- Amos 3:7 – God reveals His plans to the prophets
- Matthew 5:12 – Prophets persecuted in former times
- Acts 2:17–18 – Prophetic fulfilment in the outpouring of the Spirit
- Hebrews 1:1–2 – God spoke through prophets, now through His Son
10. Summary / Reflection
Prophets were God’s appointed messengers who called nations and individuals to repentance, justice, and covenantal fidelity. Though often marginalised or mistreated, they upheld God’s truth in corrupt times and pointed forward to ultimate redemption in the Messiah. Their voices echo throughout Scripture, reminding readers that divine revelation often challenges human pride. In Christ, the prophetic voice finds its fullness, and through the Holy Spirit, the Church carries forward this ministry of truth and testimony.