8 Female Prophets in The Bible And Their Powerful Impact

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In a world where wisdom often wore a masculine guise, female prophets in the Bible stand as luminous beacons of divine insight and fortitude. These remarkable women didn’t just whisper the word of God; they roared it, carving out sacred spaces in a patriarchal society with a blend of grace and grit. From Deborah, the judge and warrior who led her people to victory, to Huldah, whose prophetic words were sought by kings, these women showcased a profound blend of spiritual authority and human resilience.

Join us as we delve into the narratives of these visionary trailblazers, uncovering the layers of their divinely inspired destinies and their enduring impact on faith and history.

Where were female prophets in the Bible? Yes! There certainly were! There are at least seven (maybe eight—but we’ll get to that in a minute), not including, of course, false prophetesses.

Female prophets in the Hebrew Bible, including Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah, stand as powerful figures of wisdom and leadership. These women broke barriers, guided their people, and delivered divine messages. Their stories, woven into biblical text, highlight their pivotal roles in shaping faith and history, embodying strength and resilience.

Like Deborah and Huldah, female prophets in the Bible were prophetic figures, who broke traditional gender norms. Their roles resonate with the Apostle Paul’s teachings on spiritual gifts, highlighting the equality and significance of prophetic voices, regardless of gender, in shaping early Christianity. Women prophets of the Old Testament are more prevalent than in the New Testament.

Female prophets in the Bible played pivotal roles, showcasing the ministry of prophecy’s inclusivity and divine guidance.

The unnamed female prophets in the Bible were powerful, inspiring voices who delivered divine messages and shaped history. They were often overlooked but undeniably influential in their spiritual authority.

First, however, let’s examine what a prophet is, biblically.

Prophets Of the Bible

Often, when people think of prophets, they think of someone who can predict the future or see the future. While that is partially true, a biblical prophet is much more than just the ability to see the future.

While the priest represents the people before God and takes their petitions to Him, the prophet represents God to the people.  Old Testament prophets would face the people and speak. Jesus was a prophet who spoke the Word of God to the people and was, in fact, the Word incarnate. A prophet speaks for God. (For more on this topic see: The Difference Between Priests and Prophets)

A prophet is, essentially, a spokesman for God, as chosen by Him. They are tasked with speaking to the people on God’s behalf, by sharing a message or even teaching.

While a prophet speaks to people on behalf of God, a priest speaks to God on behalf of people.

Prophets were righteous people, and shared a special closeness with God. They were role models who were the standard for godly living in a community.

The Hebrew word for a prophet is navi (נָבִיא), which is one of two used in the Word of the Lord describing a prophet. The other is the word choze (חוֹזֵה), which is translated as ‘seer.’

The term navi (Nun-Beit-Yod-Alef) comes from the NIV sefatayim, meaning “fruit of the lips,” which relates to the prophet’s role as a speaker to the people.

The Talmud mentions that there were many prophets (possibly hundreds of thousands), but most shared messages intended only for their own generation and not reported in scripture. The Bible identifies only 55 actual prophets, of which seven were women. Additionally, some prophets were designated to speak mainly to Gentiles (such as Jonah). Let’s learn more about biblical prophets.

Female prophets in the Bible, like Deborah and Miriam, played pivotal roles, guiding and inspiring their communities. Their male counterparts, such as Isaiah and Elijah, shared similar divine missions. Together, they wove a rich tapestry of leadership and spiritual insight, demonstrating that wisdom and prophecy transcend gender.

For the purpose of this post, we won’t cover those women identified as false prophets (including Noadiah).

Female Prophets in the Bible

As mentioned above, scripture identifies seven women prophets. We will also cover another, that is largely considered to be a prophetess in Judaic teachings, but is not, expressly described as one in scripture.

The prophecy of female prophets has inspired both men and women in difficult or confusing circumstances. They have shown leadership, vision, and initiative and held roles greater than our modern society would have expected.

These amazing women were from all walks of life and tribes, but each had a story to inspire.

We’ll briefly examine each, and you can learn more about each by clicking the link in the appropriate section.

We’ll also cover just a few of the relevant verses in scripture where these women are named as prophets or prophetess.

Before we jump in, without looking, how many female prophets in the Bible can you name? I was able to think of 5 but fell short. How about you?

A look at eight women prophets in the Bible, their stories and how they impacted generations

8 Purposeful Lessons We Can Learn From Sarah In The Bible

Sarah was gifted with unique vision and insight, as well as beauty.

In some ways, she is considered to have more of a gift of prophecy than even her husband Abraham.

But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named.  

Genesis 21:12 (ESV)

Sarah, perhaps due to her gift of prophecy, knew that Hagar conceived immediately because of Abraham’s righteousness and his prayers to have a child.

Of course, Abraham naturally assumed he would have this child with Sarah, but he had neglected to specifically include his wife in his prayers! Sarah prophesized that this birth would have far-reaching and potentially devastating effects for the Jewish people. We later learn that Ishmael became the forbearer of the Arab nation that in the future would be at war with the Hebrews for the land of Israel.

What We Can Learn About Courage And Faith From Deborah

Judge and prophet Deborah was only one of a few women described as a prophet in the Old Testament (the others are: Miriam (Exodus. 15:20), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22), Sarah, Hannah, Abigail, Esther, Noadiah – false prophet (Nehemiah 6:14), and “the prophetess” (from the book of Isaiah 8:3).

As a prophet, judge Deborah was said to hear God’s voice and share the Word with others. As a priestess, she did not offer sacrifices, as the men did, but she did lead worship services and preach.

The only other person who was a combination of prophet and judge was Samuel. (Now that’s some impressive company!)

According to the Book of Judges, Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Many texts also believe that she was also a wife. The same word is used in Hebrew for “woman” and “wife,” so we don’t know for sure if Deborah was a “woman of Lappidoth” (a place) or “wife of Lappidoth” (a person)

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Judges 4:4-5 (ESV)

9 Impactful Lessons We Can Learn From The Book Of Esther in the Bible

When we think of the Hebrew Festival of Purim, we naturally think of Queen Esther. A brave woman who stood up for her people during a critical moment in history.

Esther never abused her power or status as queen but knew that the king loved and favored her.

Empowered by this and knowing that her people were praying for her, she spoke up and exposed a plot by Hamman, a “trusted” advisor of the king to kill all of the Jews in the Persian Empire.

Unlike Deborah, who predicted the defeat of the enemy, Esther understood that God placed her in that position “for such a time as this” in order to speak out and protect her people. She is considered to be a prophet, in Judaism, as well.

9 Significant Lessons We Can Learn from Prophetess Miriam In The Bible

Miriam (מִרְיָם Mir-yām) was born in 1576 B.C. and is the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the sister of Moses and Aaron. She was described as a prophetess, and, in fact, is one of the seven major female prophets in the Bible.

Young Miriam is famously known for the time when the Israelites, led by Moses, left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. They were miraculously rescued from the Egyptian army. This is known as the song of victory or the song of the sea. Miriam’s prophetic ministry is a favorite of mine in the Bible.

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Exodus 15:20-21 (ESV)

Huldah

The Prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shullam (keeper of King Josiah’s wardrobe), is perhaps one of the least known of the eight women prophets in scripture.

At a time when Zephaniah was prophesying in the synagogues and Jeremiah prophesying in the marketplaces, Huldah was prophesying to the women. Some texts also suggest that she have may also trained King Josiah as a child.

The king’s court called on her to prophesy to the king and she gave this message:

“Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’

Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.

Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”
So they took her answer back to the king.

2 Kings 22:14-20 (ESV)

Abigail

Although scripture does not specifically mention Abigail as a prophetess, many other religious texts support this.

In Judaism, she is, indeed, considered a female prophet.

Abigail’s appeal to David in 1 Samuel 25:24–31, which predicts his military victory over his enemies and his future as king over Israel, was perceived as prophecy.

“She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say.  Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name means Fool, and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent.  

And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal.  And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.

 “Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live.  Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.  

When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel,  my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”

1 Samuel 25:24–31 (ESV)

Anna

Anna is mentioned in the Bible as a prophetess and one of the people mentioned as connected to Jesus Christ’s childhood. She was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. Her name, is translated as “favor” or “grace.”

All we know of her is found in three verses in the New Testament book of Luke. .

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38 (ESV)

Hannah

Hannah praised God for her blessing as she dedicated him. She thanked God for His sovereignty. And at the end of her prayer, we find evidence of God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind.

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
    against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    he will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

1 Samuel 2:10 (ESV)

I truly enjoy studying the women of the Bible and have always been inspired by Esther. What about you?

Do you think that we have modern day female prophets among us? Have you encountered one?

What was one thing you learned from this post on women prophets in the Bible? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below or email me at: [email protected]

For further study on female prophets in the Bible, you may wish to consider these recommended resources. 

Daughters of Miriam: Women Prophets in Ancient Israel by Wilda C. Gafney 

The Female Prophets of the Bible: Who Were They, and What Did They Have to Say? by Debra Moody Bass 

You may also wish to listen to them on Audible Plus with a free trial!

Because He Lives,

Sue

ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”