The Bible references many prophets throughout its pages, both major and minor. Determining the exact number depends on how one defines a “prophet” and which books are included in the biblical canon. Here is an overview of the major prophets and estimates for the total number of prophets in the Bible.
The Major Prophets
There are five books of the Bible traditionally categorized as “Major Prophets”: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These books are grouped together because of their greater length and scope compared to the other prophetic books.
- Isaiah – The book bearing Isaiah’s name contains prophecies and messages he delivered over his long ministry, likely spanning around 50 years. Isaiah spoke before and during the Exile warning Judah of coming judgment and comforting them with future hope.
- Jeremiah – Jeremiah prophesied for around 40 years leading up to and during the siege and fall of Jerusalem. He called Judah to repentance and warned of the coming Babylonian invasion if they continued in idolatry and social injustice.
- Lamentations – Though traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, Lamentations contains poetic laments over the destruction of Jerusalem likely composed shortly after the fall of the city in 586 BC.
- Ezekiel – A priest exiled to Babylon, Ezekiel prophesied for around 20 years to the Jewish captives about Jerusalem’s impending destruction and future restoration.
- Daniel – Daniel served as an advisor in the Babylonian and Persian courts for around 70 years. His prophecies came in the context of interpreting dreams and visions of foreign kings regarding the succession of world empires.
These five Major Prophets contain some of the most extensive prophetic writings in the Old Testament. Their ministries spanned centuries leading up to and during the Exile, offering warning, comfort, and hope.
The Minor Prophets
The Minor Prophets is a collection of 12 shorter prophetic books in the Old Testament, in contrast to the longer Major Prophets. Some of the more well-known Minor Prophets include:
- Hosea – Prophesied against Israel’s unfaithfulness using his tragic marriage as an analogy of God’s covenant with Israel.
- Joel – Warned Judah of a coming divine judgment like a locust plague, but promised future restoration and blessing.
- Amos – As a shepherd called to prophesy, Amos preached against social injustice in Israel and surrounding nations.
- Obadiah – Pronounced judgment against Edom for its pride and hostility toward Judah.
- Jonah – Prophesied to the Assyrian capital Nineveh, where his preaching remarkably resulted in citywide repentance.
- Micah – A contemporary of Isaiah, he declared judgment on wealthy oppressors in Judah and foretold the future Messianic kingdom.
- Nahum – Prophesied the impending destruction of Nineveh as divine judgment for its evil.
- Habakkuk – Struggled to understand God’s use of the wicked Babylonians to judge Judah but learned to trust God’s higher purposes.
- Zephaniah – Pronounced coming judgment on Judah at the hands of Babylon but also prophesied future restoration.
- Haggai – Urged those who returned from exile to rebuild the temple, promising greater future glory for it.
- Zechariah – Along with Haggai encouraged rebuilding the temple after exile and prophesied about future Messianic prophecies.
- Malachi – The last Old Testament prophet, he reproved the priests and people for corrupt worship practices and failing to honor God.
These 12 books make up the Minor Prophets, who along with the Major Prophets spoke God’s word in the centuries leading up to the Messiah.
Other Prophets in the Bible
In addition to the Major and Minor Prophets, the Bible refers to many other prophets, often without providing extensive information about their messages. Here are some of the other prophets referenced:
- Nathan – A contemporary of David, Nathan pronounced God’s judgment for David’s adultery with Bathsheba but also prophesied the Davidic covenant of an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7).
- Gad – Along with Nathan, Gad served as a prophet and seer who confronted David for his census and later assisted in arranging the music and songs of the temple (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 29).
- Ahijah – Accurately predicted that Jeroboam would become king over 10 tribes of Israel and the subsequent division of the kingdom (1 Kings 11-14).
- Shemaiah – Prophesied against Rehoboam’s plan to make war against Israel after the kingdom divided (1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 11).
- Azariah – Spoke God’s words of warning to King Asa about his Treaty with Aram (2 Chronicles 15).
- Hanani – Rebuked King Asa for imprisoning the seer and oppressing those in Judah (2 Chronicles 16).
- Jehu – Though not always faithful himself, confronted Baasha, king of Israel about leading the people into idolatry (1 Kings 16).
- Micaiah – Prophesied against King Ahab’s battle plans, which led to Ahab’s death despite the false prophecies of Ahab’s court prophets (1 Kings 22).
- Jahaziel – During the reign of King Jehoshaphat, he prophesied Judah’s victory over Ammon and Moab through worship and praise (2 Chronicles 20).
- Eliezer – Prophesied victory against Moab in alliance with Jehoshaphat and Israel’s King Joram (2 Chronicles 20).
- Elisha – The successor to Elijah, Elisha performed miracles and gave messages from God to Israel’s kings.
- Oded – Dissuaded Israel’s King Pekah from enslaving the people of Judah after a battle between the two kingdoms (2 Chronicles 28).
- Huldah – The wife of a temple wardrobe keeper, she gave prophecy during the reign of Josiah affirming the authenticity of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34).
- Jeremiah’s Scribe Baruch – Though not called a prophet himself, Baruch transcribed Jeremiah’s prophecies and pronounced them as ordered (Jeremiah 36).
- Unnamed Prophets – The books of Kings and Chronicles refer to prophets giving guidance to various kings without naming them (1 Kings 13; 2 Chronicles 11; 2 Chronicles 25).
This list likely does not contain every prophet referenced in the Bible, but it provides examples of prophets God raised up all throughout Israel and Judah’s history to call the people to repentance and faithfulness.
Estimates of Total Prophets in the Bible
Determining the total number of prophets in the Bible depends on definitions and books included/excluded. Here are some estimates:
- Around 55 prophets are named in the Old Testament from both Israel and Judah.
- The Bible names at least 15 prophets from the period of the Minor Prophets, in addition to the 5 Major Prophets.
- The Talmud counts 48 male and 7 female prophets in the Hebrew Bible.
- In the New Testament, Agabus (Acts 11:28; 21:10) and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9) are specifically called prophets.
- Including the New Testament, there are at least 68 people called prophets by name in the Bible.
- Some scholars estimate there may have been over 110 prophets mentioned in Scripture in various capacities across both Testaments.
These different estimates provide a helpful range demonstrating the key prophetic voices God raised up all throughout biblical history. While the exact number cannot be confirmed, the Bible makes it clear prophecy was a key means God spoke consistently over the centuries to call his people to faithfulness.
The Legacy of Biblical Prophecy
The prophets found in Scripture provide a lasting legacy of speaking boldly for God, often at great personal cost. Here are some key things to remember about biblical prophecy:
- The prophets relayed messages from God, rooted in calling God’s people to covenant faithfulness.
- Major and Minor Prophets spoke with the authority of “Thus says the Lord” to confront sin and idolatry in Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations.
- The prophets not only warned of coming judgment but also promised future hope and restoration for God’s people.
- Jesus regarded the prophets highly and saw His ministry as continuing their legacy of proclaiming God’s word.
- Principles like social justice, ethical leadership, care for the vulnerable, and reliance on God were key prophetic concerns applicable today.
- The ultimate act of prophecy was God sending His Son Jesus to dwell among humanity and establish God’s coming Kingdom (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The Bible identifies dozens of prophets over the centuries leading up to Jesus Christ. While their messages were not always heeded, Christians today can still learn much from their courage, conviction, and call for wholehearted fidelity to God alone. The lasting legacy of biblical prophecy still echoes as a call for faithfulness among God’s people.
