The Prophets
The Prophets
The Prophets
The historical books of the Old Testament, Genesis through Esther, contain the story of the rise
and decline of the Hebrew nation.
The poetic books, Job to Song of Solomon, belong broadly to the Golden Age of the Hebrew
nation.
The prophetic books, Isaiah through Malachi, correspond to the days of the decline of the
Hebrew nation.
There are 17 prophetic books; only 16 prophets, since Jeremiah wrote two books; he who bears
his name, and Lamentations.
These books are commonly divided into "Major Prophets" and "Minor Prophets," as follows:
Classifications
This classification is based on the size of the books. Any of the three books Isaiah, Jeremiah or
Ezekiel, alone is longer than all twelve minor prophets combined. Daniel contains almost as
much as the two longest of the Minor Prophets, Hosea and Zechariah.
Chronological Classification:
13 of the Prophets were related to the destruction of the Hebrew nation; 3, with its
restoration.
The destruction of the nation took place in two stages.
The Northern Kingdom fell in 734-721 BC Before and during this period they were: Joel,
Jonah, Amos. Hosea, Isaiah and Micah.
The southern kingdom fell in 606-586 BC From this period were: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel,
Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah.
The restoration of the nation was in 536-444 BC Related to this period are: Haggai,
Zechariah and Malachi.
Classified according to their messages:
Even though they included more far-reaching messages, they mainly directed as follows:
Every reader of the Bible must memorize the names of these prophets, so that he can easily
refer to any of the books.
Without having been able to save the "holy city" due to its lack of holiness, the prophets burn
with divine explanations and assurances that the fall of the chosen nation does not mean the
end of God's plans; that after a time of punishment there would be a restoration, and for God's
people, a glorious future.
And in the Prophets, even though they themselves have not understood the full meaning of
some of their words, and even though some of their predictions are veiled by the mists of the
historical events of their own times; Yet the entire history of Christ and the spread of
Christianity upon the earth is drawn beforehand, in outline and in detail, in language that
cannot refer to anything else.
The Message of Each Prophet, in a single sentence:
Joel: Vision of the Gospel Age; Jehovah's harvest among the nations
Jonas: Glimpse of the interest of the Jehovah of Israel in the enemies of Israel.
Amos: The House of David, now rejected by Israel, will one day rule the earth.
Hosea: Jehovah, rejected by Israel, will one day be God of all nations.
Ezequiel: The fall of Jerusalem, its restoration, and its glorious future.
Obadiah: Because of its enmity against the people of God, Edom will completely perish
Daniel: The Four Kingdoms, and the universal and eternal reign of God,
Zechariah: The coming King, his house, and his reign of glory.
Prophets before the Exile Prophets in the Babylonian exile Prophets after exile
➡ ⬇ ➡
To Nineveh
Jonah
Nahum
To Edom
Obadiah
When talking about Biblical prophecy, the prophet focuses on these events, one of
them, or several at a time.
For the accurate Interpretation of the prophecy one has to see which of the points the
prophet is referring to.
Regarding the comings of Jesus Christ, it is important to determine whether he is talking
about the first or the second coming.
Historical Background and Approximate Dates of the Prophets
Division of the Kingdom, 933 BC
Ella 887-886
Zimri 886
Omri 886-875
Ahab 875-854 Jehoshaphat 874-850 Elijah 875-850
Ahaziah 855-854 Joram 850-843 Elisha 850-800
Joram 854-843 Ahaziah 843
Jehu 843-816 Atalia 843-837
Daniel 606-534
Ezekiel 592-570
Ezra 457-430
Nehemiah 444-432 Malachi 450-400