What Is a Prophet?

In everyday speech "prophet" often means someone who foretells the future; in the Bible, however, the concept is broader. This page summarizes, neutrally, what the word "prophet" means, what task prophets carry out in the Bible and how the prophetic books are grouped; it does not impose any particular interpretation but points you to read the relevant passages directly.

What does the word "prophet" mean?

The Hebrew word for prophet in the Bible is "navi," and its Greek counterpart is "prophetes"; both basically mean "one who speaks on behalf of another, a spokesperson." A prophet, then, is above all someone who speaks for God rather than one who merely predicts the future. This speaking often takes the form of a warning, a call or a comfort addressed to the present moment more than a forecast about what is to come.

What do prophets do in the Bible?

In the biblical narratives prophets call the people to justice and righteousness, criticize wrongdoing, invite repentance and give hope in hard times. Some prophets, such as Moses, Elijah and Elisha, appear mainly within narratives, while the words of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos are gathered in books bearing their own names. The common thread is not to satisfy curiosity about the future but to call the hearer to a decision and to change.

Major and minor prophets

The prophetic books of the Old Testament are traditionally divided in two: the "major prophets" (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) are longer books, while the "minor prophets" are the twelve short books running from Hosea to Malachi. The distinction between "major" and "minor" here has nothing to do with importance and only reflects the length of the books. The New Testament continues the prophetic tradition as well; John the Baptist, for example, is remembered as a prophet.

How do different traditions view prophecy?

Prophecy is not a concept unique to Christianity; it also holds a central place in traditions such as Judaism and Islam, and each tradition treats the subject within the frame of its own sources. Which figures are counted as prophets, and how prophecy is understood, can vary from tradition to tradition. This page does not choose between these differences; it only reports how the biblical text describes prophets.

How can I read the prophets on this site?

You can read the prophetic books here, chapter by chapter, free and ad-free. For a short, narrative-based start, Jonah is a good entry point; for a call to justice, Amos; and for hope and comfort, Isaiah. You can also click a verse reference such as "Amos 5:24" in a blog post to open the verse at once.

Start here

Guides

What does "prophet" mean?

The Hebrew "navi" and Greek "prophetes" used for prophet mean "one who speaks on behalf of another, a spokesperson." In the Bible a prophet is first of all someone who speaks for God.

Is being a prophet about knowing the future?

Not always. In the Bible the prophets' words are often less a forecast about the future than a warning, a call to justice or a comfort addressed to the present moment.

What are the major and minor prophets?

The "major prophets" (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel) are longer books; the "minor prophets" are the twelve short books from Hosea to Malachi. The distinction is about length, not importance.

Which prophetic book can I start with?

For a short, narrative start, Jonah is a good choice; for a call to justice, Amos; and for hope and comfort, Isaiah. You can read them here for free.

Does this page defend a particular view of prophecy?

No. This page only reports, neutrally, the meaning of the word "prophet" and how the biblical text describes prophets; it does not choose between different traditions and interpretations.