PROPHETS IN THE BIBLE (Men)

Male prophets in the Bible were far more numerous than female prophets. Prophecy was a critical part of God’s communication with His people, serving as a channel for divine guidance, correction, and future revelation. The male prophets were often sent to guide Israel, Judah, and other nations, revealing God’s will and foretelling events to come.

SUMMARY IN TABLE FORMAT:

To view the full table, slide left.

No. Name Kings Who Ruled During His Time Nations or Cities He Prophesied To Time Period of Prophecy Theological Insight

1. Elijah Ahab, Ahaziah, and Joram Israel Before Israel was exiled to Assyria Elijah was a prophet of judgment, confronting the apostasy of Israel under King Ahab and calling for repentance (1 Kings 17-19). He stood as a champion for Yahweh against the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).

2. Elisha Joram, Jehu, and Jehoahaz Israel Before Israel was exiled to Assyria Elisha succeeded Elijah and performed miracles, highlighting God’s power over both life and death (2 Kings 4-6). His prophetic ministry focused on extending God’s mercy, yet also announcing judgment (2 Kings 9-10).

3. Jonah Jeroboam II Nineveh (Assyria) Before Israel was exiled to Assyria Jonah’s mission to Nineveh emphasized God’s mercy to the Gentiles. Though reluctant, Jonah’s prophecy to the people of Nineveh resulted in their repentance, showcasing God’s compassion (Jonah 3:1-10).

4. Nahum Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah Nineveh (Assyria) Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Nahum prophesied the downfall of Nineveh, foretelling the destruction of Assyria as divine justice for their cruelty and idolatry (Nahum 1:1-14).

5. Obadiah Zedekiah Edom Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Obadiah’s short prophecy warned Edom of its impending judgment due to its violence against Judah (Obadiah 1-21). This demonstrates God’s concern for justice among the nations.

6. Hosea Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea Israel Before Israel was exiled to Assyria Hosea’s ministry highlighted God’s love for His people, despite their unfaithfulness. His marriage to Gomer symbolized Israel’s spiritual adultery (Hosea 1:2-3).

7. Amos Jeroboam II Israel Before Israel was exiled to Assyria Amos prophesied against the social injustices and moral decay in Israel. He emphasized that religious rituals were meaningless without true justice (Amos 5:21-24).

8. Isaiah Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh Judah Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Isaiah’s prophetic vision is known for its powerful messianic prophecies, including the coming of the “Suffering Servant” (Isaiah 53) and the promise of a new heaven and new earth (Isaiah 65:17-25).

9. Jeremiah Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah Judah Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Known as the “Weeping Prophet,” Jeremiah’s ministry focused on calling Judah to repentance, warning of Babylonian captivity, and prophesying about a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

10. Joel Joash Judah Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Joel’s prophecy warned of a locust plague as a sign of impending judgment. He also pointed to the coming “Day of the Lord,” a theme in prophetic literature (Joel 2:28-32).

11. Micah Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh Judah Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Micah’s prophecy addressed both Israel and Judah’s corruption and social injustices, but also foretold the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

12. Habakkuk Jehoiakim and Jeconiah Judah Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Habakkuk wrestled with God’s justice, asking why evil prospered. God’s response focused on the righteousness of the just living by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).

13. Zephaniah Amon and Josiah Judah Before Judah was exiled to Babylon Zephaniah warned of the “Day of the Lord” when God’s judgment would fall on all nations, but also promised restoration for the remnant of Israel (Zephaniah 3:9-20).

14. Ezekiel Jeconiah and Zedekiah Judah (During Babylonian captivity) While Judah was in Babylonian exile Ezekiel’s prophecies emphasized God’s glory, the need for personal responsibility, and the eventual restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 37:1-14). He famously prophesied the vision of the valley of dry bones, symbolizing Israel’s future revival.

15. Daniel Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah Judah (During Babylonian captivity) While Judah was in Babylonian exile Daniel’s visions and interpretation of dreams revealed God’s sovereign rule over nations and history, including prophecies of future empires and the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:13-14).

16. Haggai Governor Zerubbabel Judah (Those who returned from exile in Babylon) After Judah returned from Babylonian captivity Haggai encouraged the returned exiles to rebuild the temple and emphasized that God’s blessing would follow their obedience (Haggai 1:7-15).

17. Zechariah Governor Zerubbabel Judah (Those who returned from exile in Babylon) After Judah returned from Babylonian captivity Zechariah’s prophecies pointed to the coming Messiah, the restoration of Jerusalem, and God’s future victory over the nations (Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 14:9).

18. Malachi Governor Nehemiah Judah (Those who returned from exile in Babylon) After Judah returned from Babylonian captivity Malachi’s message focused on the need for spiritual renewal and the coming of the “Messenger” who would prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1-5).

In addition to the major prophets listed above, several other prophets appear throughout Scripture, sometimes with less detailed accounts of their ministries. They often carried messages of both judgment and hope, emphasizing the importance of repentance and faithfulness to God.

ADDITIONAL PROPHETS AND THEIR THEOLOGICAL IMPACT

No. Name King Who Ruled During His Time Spiritual Standing Bible Reference Theological Insights

1. Moses Israel in Egypt and the Wilderness TRUE Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Numbers Moses was the foundational prophet of Israel, delivering God’s law and establishing the covenant between God and Israel. His leadership was marked by God’s miraculous interventions and direct communication with God.

2. Micaiah Ahab TRUE 1 Kings 22:13 Micaiah stood as a solitary voice of truth in the face of 400 false prophets, showing that God’s word is not swayed by popular opinion but is always true.

3. Ahijah Jeroboam TRUE 1 Kings 1:45 Ahijah’s prophecy to Jeroboam warned him of the consequences of idolatry, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and His judgment on disobedience (1 Kings 14:7-11).

4. Nathan Saul TRUE 2 Samuel 7:2 Nathan played a key role in confronting King David about his sin with Bathsheba and prophesied the eternal covenant with David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

5. Hananiah Jeconiah and Zedekiah FALSE Jeremiah 28:15-17 Hananiah falsely prophesied peace for Judah, but was ultimately proven wrong. This highlights the danger of false prophecy and the need for discernment in hearing God’s voice.

6. Balaam Israel in the Wilderness FALSE (Sorcerer) Joshua 13:22 Though a non-Israelite prophet, Balaam’s story demonstrates the truth of God’s sovereignty, as he was compelled to bless Israel despite his own desires (Numbers 22-24).

7. Bar-Jesus Early Church Period FALSE (Sorcerer) Acts 13:9 Bar-Jesus was a false prophet who opposed the gospel message of Paul and Barnabas, highlighting the struggle between truth

Print this post