Prophetesses of the Bible
Although there were probably many women throughout history and biblical times that were considered prophetesses, only a few are mentioned by name or by association. Some were true prophetesses that were filled with the spirit who spoke God’s blessing or wrath. Other so called prophetesses were actually impersonators that spoke blasphemy and false words to the surrounding peoples. Here is a short look at some of these women, both good and bad. See also: Women of the Bible
Huldah the Prophetess
2 Kings 22:14
Huldah was a prophetess that was sought after by Hilkiah the priest after he was urged by King Josiah to inquire of the LORD about what to do with the newly discovered Book of the Covenant.
-She was the wife of Shallum
-She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District
-She let the people know that the LORD was going to bring disaster
Miriam the Prophetess
Exodus 15:20
-Miriam was part of the group of Israelites that fled from Pharaoh as they crossed the Red Sea
-She was Aaron’s sister
-She led the women as they crossed the water with singing and dancing
Deborah the Prophetess
Judges 4:4
-Deborah was not only a prophetess but she was also the Judge of Israel, a military leader, and a poetess
-She was the wife of Lappidoth
-She held court under the Palm of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim
-She was the leader of Israel at the time
-Deborah, along with a high ranking leader named Barak and 10,000 soldiers slaughtered the Canaanites and their king.
Isaiah’s wife
Isaiah 8:3
-Unnamed prophetess whom Isaiah had intercourse with in order to conceive a child. His name was to be called Maher-Shalel-Hash-Baz, which literally means, "quick to plunder, swift to spoil"
Elizabeth
Luke 1:41-45
Although she is not specifiacally called a prophetess, the context of her prophetic words implies so.
-Elizabeth was pregnant during the same time as Mary (mother of Jesus)
-During this time, Mary came to visit Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped inside of her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Her quote at the time is this: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Anna the Prophetess
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, they were met by Anna the Prophetess. She spoke to them and the surrounding crowd about the baby Jesus:
Luke 2:36-38- "There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Daughters of Philip
Acts 21:9
-Philip was an evangelist, who is associated with a group called "The Seven"
-Scripture says that he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Nothing else is mentioned about them.
See also: Women of the Bible
Huldah the Prophetess
2 Kings 22:14
Huldah was a prophetess that was sought after by Hilkiah the priest after he was urged by King Josiah to inquire of the LORD about what to do with the newly discovered Book of the Covenant.
-She was the wife of Shallum
-She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District
-She let the people know that the LORD was going to bring disaster
Miriam the Prophetess
Exodus 15:20
-Miriam was part of the group of Israelites that fled from Pharaoh as they crossed the Red Sea
-She was Aaron’s sister
-She led the women as they crossed the water with singing and dancing
Deborah the Prophetess
Judges 4:4
-Deborah was not only a prophetess but she was also the Judge of Israel, a military leader, and a poetess
-She was the wife of Lappidoth
-She held court under the Palm of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim
-She was the leader of Israel at the time
-Deborah, along with a high ranking leader named Barak and 10,000 soldiers slaughtered the Canaanites and their king.
Isaiah’s wife
Isaiah 8:3
-Unnamed prophetess whom Isaiah had intercourse with in order to conceive a child. His name was to be called Maher-Shalel-Hash-Baz, which literally means, "quick to plunder, swift to spoil"
Elizabeth
Luke 1:41-45
Although she is not specifiacally called a prophetess, the context of her prophetic words implies so.
-Elizabeth was pregnant during the same time as Mary (mother of Jesus)
-During this time, Mary came to visit Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped inside of her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Her quote at the time is this: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Anna the Prophetess
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, they were met by Anna the Prophetess. She spoke to them and the surrounding crowd about the baby Jesus:
Luke 2:36-38- "There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Daughters of Philip
Acts 21:9
-Philip was an evangelist, who is associated with a group called "The Seven"
-Scripture says that he had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Nothing else is mentioned about them.
See also: Women of the Bible