A prophetess is a female prophet. In the Bible, a prophet is someone who speaks God’s messages to others. Prophets often warned people to turn away from sin and turn back to God. They also spoke of future events that God revealed to them. Some key points about prophetesses in the Bible:
Examples of Prophetesses in the Bible
Here are some of the main women described as prophetesses in the Scriptures:
Miriam – Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron. She is called a prophetess in Exodus 15:20. Along with her brothers, Miriam helped lead the Israelites out of Egypt. She led the women in celebratory worship and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21).
Deborah – Deborah was a respected judge over Israel for forty years (Judges 4:4). She would sit under a palm tree and people would come to her for guidance and wisdom in legal matters. But Deborah was also a prophetess through whom God spoke. In Judges 4, Deborah calls Barak to go into battle against Sisera at God’s command. Her prophecy that Sisera would fall to a woman came true when Jael killed him.
Huldah – When the Book of the Law was discovered during temple renovations under King Josiah, he sent his officials to consult the prophetess Huldah to verify it was the true word of God (2 Kings 22:14-20). She confirmed the scroll’s divine authority and prophesied judgment for Judah’s idolatry but that Josiah would be spared.
Noadiah – Noadiah joined other prophets in warning Nehemiah not to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 6:14). However, Nehemiah discerned her message was not from God.
Isaiah’s Wife – Isaiah’s wife is simply described as “the prophetess” in Isaiah 8:3. Together they had two sons whose names contained prophetic meanings about coming judgments.
Anna – Anna was an elderly prophetess who served regularly at the temple. She saw the infant Jesus during his presentation at the temple and gave thanks to God, speaking about the redemption of Jerusalem to all who were looking for it (Luke 2:36-38).
The Four Daughters of Philip – Philip, one of the seven chosen to serve tables in Acts 6, had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9). The early church valued the prophetic gift among women.
So we see prophecy exercised by women throughout Israel’s history, showing God gifting and calling both genders to speak for Him.
Common Traits and Roles
Though every prophetess has her unique story, there are some common themes:
– They spoke God’s words – The main role was delivering messages from God to individuals or the nation. This could include calls to repentance, warnings of judgment, pronouncements of deliverance, or revelations about the future.
– They provided guidance and wisdom – Many used their gift for practical instruction or discerning disputes. God spoke through prophetesses on a wide range of everyday issues.
– They led God’s people – Being a spokeswoman for God often gave them leadership over Israel. Deborah judged and commanded armies. Miriam led celebratory worship. Their voice held authority.
– They confirmed God’s will – Prophetesses verified revelations and Scriptures as genuinely coming from the Lord, like Huldah affirming the Book of the Law.
– They identified the Messiah – Anna and Philip’s daughters foretold or acknowledged Jesus as the promised savior.
– They were respected and valued – These women were sought out for their discernment and messages. Kings and common people alike looked to them for a word from God.
So prophetesses spoke on God’s behalf, provided guidance, led in worship, verified Scripture, identified Christ, and were shown great respect as God’s mouthpieces.
Contrasts with False Prophetesses
Because there were always false prophets trying to deceive God’s people, the Bible warns about listening to prophetesses who led others into idolatry or immorality. Their messages did not align with God’s word and law. For example:
– Jezebel – The wicked queen who promoted Baal worship and killed the Lord’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4).
– Noadiah – A prophetess who opposed Nehemiah’s work to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall.
– The woman Jezebel – A false prophetess in the Thyatira church who misled people into sexual immorality (Revelation 2:20).
True prophetesses spoke according to God’s revelation and exhorted obedience to His word. But false ones prophesied out of their imaginations and taught compromise. This highlights the need to carefully test every prophecy against Scripture.
Qualifications from Scripture
The Bible doesn’t give explicit qualifications for prophetesses as it does for elders and deacons. But we can infer some qualities from the examples we see:
– Faithful to God’s word – They based their prophecies on Scripture, not the false gods of surrounding nations.
– Known for godly wisdom – They had a reputation for righteous living and sound discernment others wanted to glean from.
– Humble dependence – The prophetesses never spoke on their own authority but prefaced words with “Thus says the Lord.”
– Courage and conviction – They boldly spoke God’s messages even when it risked criticism or their lives.
– Accessible and ready to serve – Whether serving at the temple like Anna or under a palm tree like Deborah, they made themselves available to the people.
So key qualities seem to be faithfulness to God, spiritual wisdom, humility, courage, and service. Their lives aligned with the messages they proclaimed.
New Testament Teaching
When it comes to standards for prophetesses in the New Testament church, very little is explicitly stated. The only clear teaching is that when they prophesied in church meetings, they were to have their heads covered (1 Corinthians 11:5). Beyond that, the guidelines for prophecy in general apply:
– Prophecy must agree with Scripture and exalt Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37, Revelation 19:10).
– Prophecy must be tested and weighed carefully (1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
– Prophecy must be used to build up others, not the prophet (1 Corinthians 14:3-4).
– Prophecy must be done in order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).
So in the church today, prophetesses are to speak according to Scripture for the glory of Christ, subject their words to evaluation, aim to build the church, and apply their gift respectfully and appropriately. The content and character of the prophetess matters more than gender.
Controversial Passages
There are two passages that at first seem restrictive for prophetesses but have doubtful interpretations:
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 – Some take this to mean women cannot speak prophetically at church. But the context is about disruptive chatter from certain wives (v. 35). And Paul just permitted prophesying in church with proper head coverings (11:5). So this passage can’t be banning all women’s prophesying.
1 Timothy 2:12 – This states women cannot teach or have authority over men. Some think this includes prophesying. But the context is about wrong teaching and domineering leadership, not the respectful sharing of revelation. And again, Paul permitted prophesying in 1 Corinthians 11.
So these passages should not rule out women prophesying in appropriate ways. The emphasis is on doing all things properly and in order, not an outright ban.
Should Women be Prophetesses Today?
Given the biblical examples and teachings, here are three perspectives on women and prophecy today:
Cessationist View
Cessationists believe the supernatural gift of prophecy ceased after the apostolic age, along with other miraculous gifts like healing and tongues. So the question is irrelevant – there are no modern prophets or prophetesses. Authoritative Scripture is complete.
Complementarian View
Complementarians argue that while women can exercise prophetic gifts to build the church, they should do so only in women’s ministries under male authority. Prophecy at main church gatherings is limited to men who meet the qualifications for church leadership.
Egalitarian View
Egalitarians believe women should be encouraged in prophetic ministry just as they are in teaching, evangelizing, and other areas. The gift comes from God’s Spirit, not gender. There is mutual submission, oversight, and unity between men and women (1 Peter 5:5, Ephesians 5:21, Galatians 3:28).
So perspectives vary. But all agree the Bible shows the authoritative voice of God coming equally through men and women as vessels of divine revelation by the Spirit’s gifting.
Warnings and Exhortations
In conclusion, here are some key warnings and exhortations from Scripture regarding prophetesses and prophecy in general:
Don’t despise or scoff at prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20). An attitude of openness and humility is needed, even toward new prophetesses.
Test everything carefully (1 John 4:1). Any prophetic word must be evaluated against Scripture to avoid deception.
False prophetesses will arise (Matthew 7:15). Do not follow those whose lives don’t match biblical standards.
Eagerly desire prophesying (1 Corinthians 14:39). God may grant this gift to any godly woman submitted to His will.
Do not treat prophecy with contempt (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Do not entirely neglect or prohibit women’s prophetic ministry out of prejudice or legalism.
In Christ there is “neither male nor female” as all can be used by the Spirit (Galatians 3:28). So as God grants gifts like prophecy, both men and women should use them to serve the church in reverence for God’s word.