Difference between revisions of "Prophetess"

<p> <strong> [[Prophetess]] </strong> . <strong> 1. </strong> The courtesy title of a prophet’s wife (&nbsp; Isaiah 8:3 ). <strong> 2. </strong> The OT title of women in whom the promise was fulfilled: ‘your daughters shall prophesy’ (&nbsp; Joel 2:28; cf. &nbsp; Psalms 68:11 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). ‘The term is of course not to be misunderstood, as if it referred merely to predictions relating to the future: the reference is in general to inspired instruction in moral and religious truth’ (Driver, <em> Camb. Bible, in loc </em> .) The title is given to [[Miriam]] (&nbsp; Exodus 15:20 ), Deborah (&nbsp; Judges 4:4 ), Huldah (&nbsp; 2 Kings 22:14 , &nbsp; 2 Chronicles 34:22 ), and Noadiah (&nbsp; Nehemiah 6:14 ). <strong> 3. </strong> The NT gift of prophecy was bestowed on women (&nbsp; Acts 21:9 , &nbsp; 1 Corinthians 11:6 ). Anna (&nbsp; Luke 2:35 ) is the only ‘prophetess’ mentioned by name, except Jezebel (&nbsp; Revelation 2:20 ), who was probably not the wife of the angel of the church (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ), but a temptress of the [[Christians]] at Thyatira to whom was given the name of Israel’s wicked queen. </p> <p> J. G. Tasker. </p>

<p> <b> PROPHETESS. </b> —Among OT prophetesses may be named Miriam (&nbsp;Exodus 15:20), and esp. Deborah (Judges 4 f.) and Huldah (&nbsp;2 Kings 22:14, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 34:22). The prophetess Noadiah opposed Nehemiah (&nbsp;Nehemiah 6:14). While it was the exception for women to be called to the prophetic office, they were by no means excluded from it, and it is manifest that Deborah and Huldah made a deep impress upon their contemporaries. The only mention of a prophetess in the [[Gospels]] is that of Anna, who recognized the infant [[Messiah]] when His parents presented Him in the Temple (&nbsp;Luke 2:36). She was of the tribe of Asher, and had lived to a great age, being probably a good deal over a hundred years old. She spoke to the pious worshippers in the Temple concerning the work of Jesus. See Anna. </p> <p> John R. Sampey. </p>

<p> PROPH'ETESS, n. A female prophet a woman who foretells future events, as Miriam, Huldah, Anna, &c. &nbsp;Exodus 15; &nbsp;Judges 4Luke 2 . </p>

<p> (n.) A female prophet. </p>

<p> (נְבַיאָה, ''Nebiah, Προφῆτις,'' &nbsp;Exodus 15:20; &nbsp;Luke 2:36). Among the remarkable women who appear to have exercised the gift of prophecy, we find Miriam (&nbsp;Exodus 15:20); Deborah; Hannah (&nbsp;1 Samuel 2:1); Huldah (&nbsp;2 Kings 22:14); the wife of Isaiah (&nbsp;Isaiah 8:3); Anna (&nbsp;Luke 2:36); and the four daughters of Philip (&nbsp;Acts 21:8-9). Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and others were called prophetesses, not because they were supposed to be gifted with a knowledge of futurity, like the seers, but because they possessed a poetical inspiration; and inspired (especially sacred) poetry was always deemed of supernatural and divine origin. (See Prophet). </p>