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Where there female prophets of 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 prophets.
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 people. In the Old Testament a prophet 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) is one of two used in the Bible 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 phrases niv sefatayim meaning “fruit of the lips” which relates to the prophets role as speaker to the people.
The Talmud mentions that there were many prophets (possibly hundreds of thousands) but most of them 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).
For the purpose of this post, we won’t cover those women identified as false prophets (including Noadiah).
Female Prophets Of 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 have inspired both men and women in difficult or confusing circumstances. They have shown leadership, vision, 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 has a story to inspire.
We’ll take a short look at each and you can learn more about each of them 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 of the Bible can you name? I was able to think of 5, but fell short. How about you?
Female Prophets in the Bible
A look at seven women prophets in the Bible, their stories and how they impacted generations.
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 him, 'Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.'" - Genesis 21:12
Sarah, perhaps due to her gift of prophecy, knew that the reason Hagar conceived immediately was 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.
Judge 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” (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 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 prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading[a] Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. – Judges 4:4-5
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 an 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.
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.
Miriam is famously known for a time when the Israelites have left Egypt, led by Moses, and have just crossed the Red Sea. They have been miraculously rescued from the Egyptian army.
"Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted.Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”
Exodus 15:20-21
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 seven 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[b] 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
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
Anna
Anna is mentioned in the Bible as a prophetess and one of the people mentioned as connected to Jesus’ 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. .
"There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, 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." - Luke 2:36-38
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.
"those who oppose the Lord will be broken.The Most High will thunder from 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
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 of the Bible, you may wish to consider these recommended resources. Click on the image to take you to the Amazon listing for the book.
You may also wish to listen to them on Audible Plus with a free trial!
Because He Lives,
Sue
Patricia Harker
Tuesday 22nd of March 2022
Hello, I came across your reading of the women prophets, I guess I never considered them as prophets or actually what a prophet was. Some of the information was familiar to me as I thought about things I have experienced. I would never have thought to even consider that I was being used by God in that way. At a young age I felt a closeness to God. A tender hearted child, I would sing made up song to God. Music started flowing through me in my twenties, I sang praises throughout all seasons. Then I started to hear a voice, some warnings, some forewords of things to come. I then experienced dreams, very vivid and in color, most didn’t make sense to me until the moment came to pass. A few are yet to pass and I must admit they aren’t pleasant. In Sunday school class I would get this very jittery feeling and know I just had to open my mouth, the Holy Spirit would answer things I never really knew of, this would stun me as well as others, all verses from the Bible. I still wonder why? Your thoughts?
Susan Nelson
Thursday 24th of March 2022
God blesses us all with unique gifts and perhaps the gift of prophecy was given to you. Continue to walk with Him and listen to His guidance. God bless you, sister!
Flo
Sunday 17th of May 2020
Hi Connie Like you I was always confused with 1 Corinthians 14. This was the first question I asked my lecturer in the bible college last year. He explained Paul was replying a letter written to him by a group or perhaps church elders in the church of Corinth. They complained about things that were happening in the church that were not right and particular people were a stumbling block to others. So Paul is specifically giving instructions to follow to the church of Corinth in order to avoid chaos in the church. Just like his other letters to the Galatians and Romans. Some churches base their doctrine based on this that women should not preach which to me personally is wrong. We are all followers of Christ and He does not discriminate we are meant to imitate Christ only that’s my understanding. God bless you. Flo
Susan Nelson
Friday 22nd of May 2020
Thank you for your insight, Flo. God bless you and have a beautiful day!
Connie Hall
Monday 30th of December 2019
Good stuff Susan!
Deborah is my favorite Old Testament female prophets. It fascinates me that Barak would not go into battle without her. Let me ask you something. There were obviously women prophets in the Bible. Deborah was a judge in Israel. Yet, Paul said that women should keep silent and not teach men (I Cor 14, 1 Tim 2). In light of the rest of the Scripture, this doesn't make sense to me. What am I missing?
Btw, I also live in rural North Central Missouri with my husband, dogs, cats, and chickens, as well as three grown children and honeybees!
Susan Nelson
Monday 30th of December 2019
Hi, Connie - I don't believe that Deborah was necessarily called to teach. Lead, yes. Judge, yes but not necessarily teach on the Torah. That's my understanding. Where in north central MO are you? I'm currently in Huntsville (about an hour north of Columbia) but will be moving closer to KC in the coming months.
Apostle Tonya
Monday 23rd of December 2019
Amen! May thy Lord continue to use, Sue!
Susan Nelson
Tuesday 24th of December 2019
Thank you so much! God bless you and thank you for stopping by!