From the Encyclopaedia Judaica 1152
The institution of prophecy is founded on the basic premise that God makes his will known to chosen individuals in successive generations. A prophet is a charismatic individual endowed with the divine gift of both receiving and imparting the message of revelation. As the spokesman for the deity, he does not choose his profession but is chosen, often against his own will, to convey the work of God to his people regardless of whether or not they wish to hear it (Ezek. 3: 11). A prophet does not elect to prophesy, nor does he become a prophet by dint of a native or an acquired faculty on his part. Prophecy is not a science to be learned or mastered. There is no striving to be one with God, no unio mystica, no indwelling of God within the spirit of the prophet through rapture, trances, or even spiritual contemplation. The prophet is selected by God and is irresistibly compelled to deliver His message and impart His will, even if he personally disagrees with it. He is consecrated to be set apart from his fellowmen and is destined to bear the responsibility and burden of being chosen. The prophet stands in the presence of God (Jer. 15: 1, 19) and is privy to the divine council (Isa. 6; Jer. 23:18; Amos 3:7). He speaks when commanded, but once commanded, must speak.
(Amos 3:8). Appointed messenger, he must translate his revelatory experience into the idiom of his people. For though the prophet is overwhelmed by the divine word and becomes “word possessed,” he does not lose his identity nor does he suffer from any effacement of personality. The “word of YHWH” and not His “spirit” is the primary source of prophecy. The “spirit” may prepare the prophet to receive divine revelation, may evoke the revelatory state of mind, but the “word” is the revelation itself. What makes him a prophet is not the spirit which envelops or moves him-for this spirit also motivated elders, judges, Nazirites, and kings – but the word which he has heard and which he transmits to others. In fact, the “spirit” or the “hand” of God is mentioned only occasionally in the writings of the classical prophets (a major exception being Ezekiel), and then it constitutes the stimulus, not the content, of revelation. The prophet, although conscious of
being overwhelmed by the divine word and of being involved in an encounter with God, is still capable of reacting and responding and, may even engage God in a dialogue. The divine constraint does not exclude the prophet’s personal freedom; his individuality is maintained, and the divine message is accented by his own tones.
See the 48 Prophets and 7 Prophetesses below
Also see Nevi’im (the prophets)
| Gen. 17:5 | Abrahamאַבְרָהָם /ˈeɪbrəhæm, -həm/; , Modern: ʾAvraham, As recounted in the Torah, his name was originally Avram which means “High Father” – “av” (אב) “father”, “ram” (רם) “high” – with the “ha” (ה) added in mark of his covenant with God. For more info click here | Micah 1:1 | Micah the Morasthiteמִיכָה הַמֹּרַשְׁתִּי or Micaiah or Michah, “who is like God” a minor prophet; a native of Moresheth, he prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah, and was contemporary with the prophets Hosea, Amos, and Isaiah. Morasthite an inhabitant of Moresheth For more info click here |
| Gen. 21:2 | Isaacיִצְחָק (Yīṣḥāq) meaning “he will laugh”, reflecting the laughter, in disbelief, of Abraham and Sarah, when told by God that they would have a child. | 2 Kin. 19:2 | Amozאָמוֹץ Transliteration: āmôṣ – Pronunciation: aw-mohts’ – proper masculine noun Meaning “strong”, father of Isaiah For more info on the word click here |
| Gen. 25:25 | Jacobיַעֲקֹב (/ˈdʒeɪkəb/; Modern: Yaʿaqōv (help·info), Tiberian: Yaʿăqōḇ; Arabic: يَعْقُوب, romanized: Yaʿqūb; Greek: Ἰακώβ, romanized: Iakṓb) the name Yaʿaqōv יעקב is derived from ʿaqev עָקֵב “heel”, as Jacob (later called Israel) was born grasping the heel of his twin brother Esau. for more info click here | 1 Kings 17:1 | Elijahאֵלִיָּהוּ romanized: ʾĒlīyyāhū,ˈlaɪdʒə/ il-EYE-jə; meaning “My God is Yahweh/YHWH”;Greek form: Elias /ɪˈlaɪəs/ il-EYE-əs)or more info click here |
| Exo. 2:1 | Mosesמֹשֶׁה Meaning of the name: Linguist Abraham Yahuda, based on the spelling given in the Tanakh, argues that it combines “water” or “seed” and “pond, expanse of water,” thus yielding the sense of “child of the Nile” For more info click here | 1 Kin. 19:17 | Elishaאֱלִישָׁע /əˈlaɪʃə/; Modern: ʼElīšaʻ, Tiberian: ʼĔlīšāʻ, “My God is salvation” or “God is my salvation”, Greek: Ἐλισ[σ]αῖος, Elis[s]aîos or Ἐλισαιέ, Elisaié, Latin: Eliseus) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, a prophet and a wonder-worker. His name is commonly transliterated into English as Elisha via Hebrew, Eliseus via Greek and Latin, or Alyasa via Arabic, and Elyasa or Elyesa |
| Exo. 4:14 | Aaronאַהֲרוֹן Aaron is an English masculine given name. The ‘h’ phoneme in the original Hebrew pronunciation “Aharon” (אהרן) is dropped in the Greek, Ἀαρών, from which the English form, Aaron, is derived. The brother of Moses, is described in the Torah, the Quran and the Baha’i Iqan. The origin of the biblical name is uncertain; however, an Ancient Egyptian origin may indicate “aha rw” meaning “warrior lion”, For more info click here | Jon. 1:1 | Jonahיוֹנָה Transliteration:yônâ Pronunciation:yo-naw’ Meaning “dove” son of Amittai and a native of Gath-hepher; a minor prophet who prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II and whom God sent also to prophesy to Nineveh For more info on click here ben Amittai |
| Deu. 31:3 | Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yəhōšuaʿ,(/ˈdʒɒʃuə/), lit. ‘Yahweh is salvation’) also known as Yehoshua. Yeshua or Y’shua (ישוע; with vowel pointing Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ, romanized: Yēšūaʿ) was a common alternative form of the name Yehoshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, romanized: Yəhōšūaʿ, lit. ’Joshua’) in later books of the Hebrew Bible and among Jews of the Second Temple period. The name corresponds to the Greek spelling Iesous (Ἰησοῦς), from which, through the Latin IESVS/Iesus, comes the English spelling Jesus meaning salvation. | 2 Kin. 19:2 | Isaiahיְשַׁעְיָהוּ /aɪˈzeɪ.ə/;Yəšaʿyāhū, “Yahweh is Salvation”), also known as Isaias or Esaias, For more info click here |
| Num. 25:11 | Phinehasפִּינְחָס ˈfɪniəs/; Modern: Pīnẖas Ancient Greek: Φινεες Phinehas or Phineas was a priest during the Israelites’ Exodus journey. The grandson of Aaron and son of Eleazar, the High Priests (Exodus 6:25), he distinguished himself as a youth at Shittim with his zeal against the heresy of Peor For more info click here | Joel 1:1 | Joelיוֹאֵל Transliteration:yô’ēl Pronunciation:yo-ale’ Meaning: Yaweh is God. For more info click here |
| 1 Sam. 1:1 | Elkanahאֱלְקָנָה ’Ĕlqānā “El has purchased” The Talmud lists him as a prophet, along with his wife and son. For more info click here | Nah. 1:1 | Nahumנַחוּם naḥûm, Meaning comfort – the Elkoshite, prophet who predicted the fall and destruction of Nineveh; writer of the book by his name; personal history and situation unknown For more info click here |
| 1 Sam. 1:3 | Eliעלי Modern: ʿElī, Tiberian: ʿĒlī, lit. ’ascent’ or ‘above’ For more info click here | Hab. 1:1 | Habakkukחֲבַקּוּק Transliteration: ḥăḇaqqûq – Pronunciation: khav-ak-kook’ – proper masculine noun Meaning “embrace Chabakkuk, the prophet:—Habakkuk.” For more info on the word click here |
| 1 Sam 1:20 | Samuel שְׁמוּאֵל Šəmūʾēl appears to be constructed from the Hebrew Śāmū (שָׂמוּ)+ ʾĒl, meaning “God has set” or “God has placed”. This meaning relating to the idea of God setting/placing a child in the womb, alongside Hannah dedicating Samuel as a Nazirite to God. For more info click here | Zep. 1:1 | Zephaniahצְפַנְיָה Transliteration: ṣᵊp̄anyâ – Pronunciation: tsef-an-yaw’ – proper masculine noun Meaning “Yahweh has treasured, Yah has secreted; Tsephanjah, the name of four Israelites in the bible. For more info on the word click here |
| 1 Chr. 29:25 | Gadגָּד Transliteration:gāḏ Pronunciation:gawd Meaning “troop” a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the “house of God” For more info on click here | Urjah | |
| 1 Chr. 29:25 | Nathan נָתָן Nāṯān, meaning: “Given”; fl. c. 1000 BC For more info click here | Jer. 1:1 | Jeremiahיִרְמְיָה Transliteration: yirmᵊyâ – Pronunciation: yir-meh-yaw’ – proper masculine noun Meaning “whom Jehovah has appointed”or “Yah will rise”, the major prophet, son of Hilkiah of the priestly family in Anathoth; author of the prophetic book bearing his name. Also the name of eight or nine Israelites: For more info on the word click here |
| 1 Sam. 16:13 | Davidדָּוִד /ˈdeɪvɪd/; romanized: Dāwīḏ, “beloved one”) Historians of the Ancient Near East agree that David probably lived around 1000 BCE. For more info click here | Eze. 1:3 | Ezekielאֶסְתֵּר Transliteration;yᵊḥezqē’l Pronunciation yekh-ez-kale’ “God strengthens” or ” God will strengthen” son of Buzi and a priest and prophet; author of the book by his name; taken captive with Jehoiachin and exiled in Babylon where he prophesied for the next 22 years, also a priest in charge of the 20th course in the time of David. For more info click here (or Yehezekel) |
| 1 Kin. 1:10 | Solomonשְׁלֹמֹה His two names mean “peaceful” and “friend of God”, both considered “predictive of the character of his reign Reign 970–931 BCE (hypothesized)For more info click here | 1 Kin. 12:22 | Shemaiahאֶסְתֵּר Transliteration;šᵊḵem Pronunciation shek-em’ “back” or “shoulder” son of Buzi author of the book by his name; taken captive with Jehoiachin and exiled in Babylon where he prophesied for the next 22 years was a prophet during the reign of Rehoboam. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church on 8 January and 9 January. also a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria For more info click here (aka Samaia or Semeias) |
| 1 Chr. 6:21 | Iddoעִדּוֹ Īddō; also Jedo; Greek: Αδει, Αδδω, Adei, Addō meaning “His Love” For more info click here | Jer. 32:16 | Baruch ben Neriahבָּרוּךְ בֶּן־נֵרִיָּה Bārūḵ ben Nērīyyā; c. 6th century BC) was the scribe, disciple, secretary, and devoted friend of the Biblical prophet Jeremiah. He is traditionally credited with authoring the Book of Baruch. For more info click here |
| 1 Kin. 22:8 | Micaiahמִיכָֽיְהוּ Transliteration:mîḵāyhû Pronunciation:me-kaw-yeh-hoo’ Micah or Micaiah or Michaiah = “who is like God” son of Imlah and a prophet of Samaria who predicted the defeat and death of king Ahab of Israel For more info on click here son of Imiah | Jer. 32:12 | Neriahנֵרִיָּה Transliteration:nērîyâ Pronunciation:nay-ree-yaw’ son of Maaseiah and father of Baruch and Seraiah. The Talmud lists him and his sons as prophets. For more info click here |
| 1 Chr. 9:16 | Obadiahעֹבַדְיָה oʊbəˈdaɪ.ə/;ʿŌḇaḏyā or עֹבַדְיָהוּ – ʿŌḇaḏyāhū; “servant of Yah”, or “Slave of Yah [YHWH]”), also known as Abdia | Seraiahשְׂרָיָה Transliteration:śᵊrāyâ Pronunciation:Sᵉrâyâhû Seriah ben Neriah was a Jewish aristocrat of the sixth century BCE. He was the son of Neriah and the brother of Baruch ben Neriah, the disciple of the biblical prophet Jeremiah. For more info click here | |
| 2 Chr. 9:29 | Ahijahיֵהוּא Transliteration:’ăḥîyâ Pronunciation:akh-ee-yaw Meaning “”brother of Yahweh (Yahu)”a prophet who predicted the revolt of the Northern tribes For more info on click here the Shilonite | Jer. 32:12 | Maaseiahמַחְסֵיָה Transliteration:maḥsêâ Pronunciation:makh-say-yaw’ Meaning “Yahweh is a shelter” is a minor figure in the Hebrew Bible, the grandfather of Baruch ben Neriah and father of Neriah. According to the Talmud, he was a prophet. Also According to the Talmud descended from Rahab the prostitute also Neriah; his son Baruch; Seraiah and Jeremiah For more info on Maaseiah click here. To read the tract from the Talmud click here |
| 2 Chr. 19:2 | Jehu יֵהוּא Transliteration:yêû’ Pronunciation:yay-hoo’ Meaning “Yahweh is He” son of Hanani and an Israelite prophet in the time of Baasha and Jehoshaphat For more info on click here son of Hanani | Exr. 5:1 | Haggaiחַגַּי Transliteration:ḥagay Pronunciation:khag-gah’-ee Meaning “festive” minor prophets; first prophet to prophecy after the captivity a minor prophets; first prophet to prophecy after the captivity For more info click here |
| 2 Chr. 15:1 | Azariah עֲזַרְיָה ‘Ǎzaryāh, “Yah has helped” or “Yahweh has helped” For more info on click here son of Oded | Zec. 1:1 | Zechariahחַגַּי Transliteration:ḥagay Pronunciation:khag-gah’-ee Meaning “Yahweh remembers” minor prophet; a priest, son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, who, along with Haggai, directed the rebuilding of the temple in the days of Zerubbabel For more info click here |
| 2 Chr. 20:14 | Jahazielיַחֲזִיאֵל Transliteration:yaḥăzî’ēl Pronunciation:yakh-az-ee-ale’ Meaning “beheld of God” son of Zechariah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the reign of Jehoshaphat For more info on click here the Levite | Mal. 1:1 | Malachiמַלְאָכִי Transliteration:mal’āḵî Pronunciation:mal-aw-kee’ – Used once in the Bible – Meaning “My messenger” a minor prophet; is the name used by the author of the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Nevi’im (Prophets) section of the Tanakh. It is possible that Malachi is not a proper name, because it means “messenger”; it has been assumed to be a pseudonym. According to Jewish tradition, the real identity of Malachi is Ezra the scribe. For more info click here |
| 2 Chr. 20:37 | Eliezerאֱלִיעֶזֶר Transliteration:mîḵāyhû Pronunciation:me-kaw-yeh-hoo’ Meaning “God is help” a prophet who spoke to Jehoshaphat For more info on click here son of Dodavah | Ezr 2:2 | Mordecai Bilshanמָרְדֳּכַי בִּלְשָׁן Mordecai is identified with the bearer of that name who, according to Ezra ii. 2 and Neh. vii. 7, returned with Zerubbabel from the Captivity; and as in both passages “Mordecai” is followed by “Bilshan,” the Rabbis consider that “Mordecai” and “Bilshan” were the names of one man, the latter name having been given him on account of his knowledge of many languages… But all the Rabbis agree that Mordecai was a prophet and that he prophesied in the second year of Darius For more info on click here |
| Hos. 1:1 | Hosheaיְהוֹשֻׁעַ Pronunciation ho-shay’-ah, “deliverer” family name of Joshua, the son of Nun – Hosea or Hoshea or Oshea – the name of five Israelites For more info click here | 2 Chr 28:9 | Odedעוֹדֵד is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible, He was from Samaria. A different Oded is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 15, as being the father of the prophet Azariah. For more info click here |
| Amos 1:1 | Amosעָמוֹס Transliteration:ʿāmôs – Pronunciation: aw-moce’ – proper masculine noun Meaning “burden”, a prophet of the Lord who prophesied in the northern kingdom; native of Tekoa in Judah near Bethlehem and a shepherd by trade; author of the prophetic book by his name For more info on the word click here | 2 Chr. 16:7 | Hananiחֲנָנִי Transliteration:ḥănānî Pronunciation:khan-aw-nee’ Meaning “gracious” a seer (seers were later called prophets) who rebuked Asa, king of Judah, and was imprisoned For more info on click here |
| Gen 17:15 | Sarahשָׂרָה Transliteration:śārâ Pronunciation:saw-raw’ proper feminine noun meaning “noblewoman”, wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. For more info click here |
| Exo. 12:1 | Miriamמִרְיָם Mīryām, lit. ‘Rebellion’) is described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. for more info click here |
| Jud. 4:4 | Deborahדְּבוֹרָה Meaning “bee”. a prophetess who judged Israel For more info click here |
| 1 Sam 1:2 | Hannahחַנָּה Ḥannā “favor, grace”. The Talmud lists her as a prophet along with her husband and son. For more info click here |
| 1 Sam. 25:3 | Abigailאֲבִיגַיִל Modern: ʾAvīgayīl, Tiberian: ʾAḇīḡayīl) Derived from the Hebrew word ab, “father”, and the Hebrew root g-y-l, “to rejoice,” the name Abigail has a variety of possible meanings including “my father’s joy” and “source of joy” Wife of King David. |
| 2 Kin 22:14 | Huldahיָּחֻלְדָּה Transliteration: ḥuldâ – Pronunciation: khool-daw’ – proper feminine noun Meaning “weasel” a prophetess in the time of Josiah whom Josiah asked for an authoritative opinion on the book of the law which Hilkiah found For more info on the word click here |
| Est. 2:8 | Estherאֶסְתֵּר Transliteration;’estēr Pronunciation es-tare’ Esther = “star” the queen of Persia, heroine of the book of Esther – daughter of Abihail, cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin For more info click here |