(Part 2 of 2)
Who Was and What Describes a Prophetess?
Today we are continuing our discussion from two weeks ago. Let’s dig right in!
Nōadīah
Nōadīah was a false prophetess, who, along with two non-Jews attempted to intimidate Nehemiah in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 6:14
My God, remember Tōbīah and Sanballat, according to their works, and the prophetess Nōadīah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.
In her intimate association and relationship to her husband, the prophet Isaiah, she was called a prophetess, and she bore a son:
Isaiah 8:3
Then I [Isaiah] went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. The Lord said to me, “Call his name Māher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
In his commentary, Sorrow and Comfort, A Devotional Study of Isaiah, Warren Henderson makes this statement concerning Isaiah 8:3:
His name was to be called Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (hopefully this wee lad had a nickname); his name means “speed the spoil, hasten the booty,” and it pointed to Assyria’s invasion of Israel and Syria (v. 1).
Jezebel – Prophetess
When speaking of prophets along with women, one cannot overlook the Phoenician wife of Israel’s king Ahab. Her name Jezebel is perhaps derived from a Phoenician name which means “Baal is the prince.”
In the Old Testament we read that Jezebel had no less than four hundred and fifty prophets of Bāal, and the four hundred prophets of Ashērah, who ate at her table (1 Kings 18:19). She had them attempt to destroy God’s true prophets but failed miserably. The Lord Jesus is quoted in the New Testament:
Revelation 2:20
“Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.”
Prophetess Definition
Quoting The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, © 2001 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Greek Dictionary Section, p. 217 #4398:
A prophetess is a female foreteller or an inspired woman and is used of Anna in Luke 2:36; and of the self-assumed title of “the woman Jezebel” in Revelation 2:20.
Anna
Also in the New Testament, we read in Luke 2:36 of Anna, a godly woman who’d been married for seven years, then widowed for 84 years. Like Simeon in Luke 2:25-35, Anna was part of the few faithful of Israel. She undoubtedly spoke of the great expectations which God had promised. She spoke to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38).
Luke 2:36-38
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanūel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant [when Jesus was being presented to the Lord (v. 27)] she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Philip’s Four Daughters
In Acts 21:9 we read of Philip’s four daughters who prophesied. When comparing to the KJV we learn that Philip and his four daughters, while travelling to Caesarea, came across a man named Agabus who was a prophet. By comparing to Acts 2:17, very soon after the day of Pentecost, we better understand God’s intent that the women in the New Testament who prophesied served God by verbally expressing His truths. Peter said:
Acts 2:16-17
“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.’ ”
Women Prophets Today
Some people incorrectly interpret Acts 21:9 resulting in the fact to say that we have women prophets even today. Scripture expressly forbids women to preach in the church meetings (1 Corinthians 13:34; 1 Timothy 2:11-12), but states that older women are to teach other women and children (Titus 3:3-5). Furthermore, today, not only are there no women foretelling God’s future events—neither are there any men doing so. The reason for this is that all of God’s intended information for us to be aware of…is already in the Bible.
1 Corinthians 13:8b
But whether there are prophecies, they will fail.
Spiritual Leadership
In Genesis 3:6 when Eve was tempted by Satan and disobeyed God, she immediately had her husband Adam commit the same sin. Ever since that time, God has been reluctant to allow women to have spiritual leadership over men.
1 Corinthians 14:34
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says (Genesis 3:16).
1 Timothy 2:11-12
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
Isaiah 3:12
As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
Prophetesses vs. Prophets
When we compare this small number of female prophetesses to the four major male prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel; and the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament with the total of 16 books of prophecy we can see where God’s priority was set. We don’t want to disregard the New Testament prophecies, such as the Lord Jesus Christ and John’s prophecy in the Book of Revelation, Peter’s prophecy of End Times in 2 Peter 3 and more, plus prophecies by Paul and others.
Search the Scriptures
I believe it is fair to say that we should be very careful before assuming that anyone is a God-appointed prophet/ess—male or female. We must search the Scriptures for our God’s intent and His truth. Beware of false teachers. “There is just enough truth in false teaching to make it extremely attractive.”
And this completes our post on ” Who Was and What Describes A Prophetess”.
What are your thoughts on “Prophets” and “Prophetess”?
Comments and Questions Welcome
Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
We welcome any questions you might have as we like to hear from you.
Please share this blog with your friends if you liked it, if not, please let us know.
Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Blog Posts Related to this Topic:
What is the Meaning of Prophecy-Prophecies-Prophesying? (Part 1)
Prophecy Definition – Verb or Noun (Part 2)
How to Receive Eternal Life Posts
Would you like to find out why believers have hope of Eternal Life and how to develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ? Check out these blog posts if your answer is “yes.”
Receiving Eternal Life as easy as A-B-C-D
Why do I need the God of the Bible?
Resources:
Check Out these Interesting Resources:
Prophecy Articles by Dr. David Jeremiah (Turning Point Radio)
Uplook Ministry – Fireside Friday by Jabe Nicholson
Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
Christ-centered Books and Messages to Enhance Your Spiritual Growth
Solving the Spiritual Dilemma
And check out our latest book “Solving the Spiritual Dilemma” which answers many questions about the hope believers have and how to develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
or go directly to Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble
All Scripture was taken from the New King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
I love this breakdown with the Bible verses. Thanks for your hard work.
Thank you Tammy. I am reading your book “Deep Inside – Forgiving the Unforgivable. Loving the Unlovable” right now. Very eye opening and insightful. I enjoy the short chapters as I don’t have very much time for reading. Blessings, Elfriede