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In both the Old and New Testaments, the Bible highlights the roles of several women who were recognized as prophetesses. These women, though not priests, were used by God to deliver His messages to His people. They played vital roles in their respective times and situations, illustrating the inclusiveness of God’s communication with humanity. In this study, we will look at six key prophetesses: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah’s wife, Anna, and Philip the evangelist’s four daughters, as well as consider the significance of Joel’s prophecy concerning women in prophecy. All references will be from the New King James Version (NKJV).
1. Miriam: The First Prophetess
1.1. Miriam’s Prophetic Role
Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, is the first woman mentioned as a prophetess in the Bible. Her role in the history of Israel is significant, especially in the context of the Exodus.
Exodus 15:20-21 (NKJV): “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!’”
Miriam’s prophetic ministry is closely associated with her leadership in worship, as she led the women of Israel in praising God after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. Her role as a prophetess was not limited to worship, but also involved leadership and influence.
1.2. Miriam’s Challenge and Consequences
Miriam, along with Aaron, challenged Moses’ unique role as God’s chosen leader, which led to a divine response.
Numbers 12:1-2 (NKJV): “Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, ‘Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?’ And the Lord heard it.”
As a result of her challenge, Miriam was struck with leprosy as a sign of God’s displeasure, but was later healed through Moses’ intercession (Numbers 12:10-15). This incident emphasizes the seriousness of undermining God’s established leadership, but also demonstrates Miriam’s prophetic standing, as she had been one through whom God had spoken.
2. Deborah: Judge and Prophetess
2.1. Deborah’s Leadership Role
Deborah holds a unique position in biblical history as both a prophetess and a judge of Israel. Her leadership during a critical time of oppression by the Canaanites demonstrated the close connection between her judicial and prophetic roles.
Judges 4:4-5 (NKJV): “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.”
Deborah’s dual role as a prophetess and a judge highlights her exceptional leadership and wisdom. Her prophetic insights guided Israel not only in religious matters but also in national defense.
2.2. Deborah’s Prophecy and Victory
One of Deborah’s most significant prophecies led to the military victory over Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army.
Judges 4:6-7 (NKJV): “Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, ‘Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, “Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand”?’”
Deborah’s prophetic word gave Barak the assurance of victory, although he insisted that she accompany him into battle. Her presence and leadership were instrumental in the deliverance of Israel.
Judges 5:7 (NKJV): “Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel.”
Deborah’s victory song, recorded in Judges 5, celebrates the power and deliverance of God, while emphasizing her role as both a leader and a mother figure to the nation.
3. Huldah: The Prophetess of Josiah’s Reformation
3.1. Huldah’s Prophetic Role
Huldah appears in the biblical narrative during the reign of King Josiah, when the Book of the Law was discovered during temple repairs. She is consulted by the king’s officials to interpret the significance of this discovery.
2 Kings 22:14 (NKJV): “So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter; and they spoke with her.”
Huldah’s authority as a prophetess is evident in the fact that she was consulted by high-ranking officials and her prophetic insight influenced the king’s actions.
3.2. Huldah’s Prophetic Message
Huldah’s message was a sobering prophecy of judgment for Judah due to their disobedience, but it also included a message of mercy for King Josiah because of his humility.
2 Kings 22:16-17 (NKJV): “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read—because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.’”
Huldah’s prophecy led to a national repentance and reformation under Josiah’s leadership.
4. Isaiah’s Wife: The Unnamed Prophetess
4.1. Isaiah’s Wife as a Prophetess
The prophet Isaiah’s wife is one of the lesser-known prophetesses in the Bible. Although her name is not mentioned, she is identified as a prophetess because of her association with Isaiah, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.
Isaiah 8:3 (NKJV): “Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, ‘Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.’”
Isaiah’s wife is referred to as a prophetess, likely because of her relationship with Isaiah and her role in bearing a child whose name had prophetic significance.
4.2. The Prophetic Significance of Her Child
Isaiah’s son, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, was given a name that symbolized the swift destruction of Israel’s enemies, as revealed in Isaiah’s prophecy.
Isaiah 8:4 (NKJV): “For before the child shall have knowledge to cry ‘My father’ and ‘My mother,’ the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be taken away before the king of Assyria.”
Through the birth of this child, God communicated a specific prophetic message regarding the future of Israel’s enemies.
5. Anna: The Prophetess Who Recognized Jesus
5.1. Anna’s Devotion and Prophetic Role
Anna is one of the few women prophetesses mentioned in the New Testament. Her role is significant in the early recognition of Jesus as the Messiah when He was presented in the temple as a baby.
Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV): “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, 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 she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Anna’s prophetic ministry was characterized by her dedication to prayer, fasting, and worship in the temple. Her recognition of Jesus as the Redeemer was a powerful affirmation of His identity.
6. Philip the Evangelist’s Four Daughters: The Prophetic Family
6.1. Philip’s Daughters as Prophetesses
In the New Testament, Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, had four daughters who were prophetesses.
Acts 21:8-9 (NKJV): “On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.”
These four women are noted for their prophetic ministry, though the details of their prophecies are not recorded. Their inclusion in the biblical text demonstrates that the gift of prophecy was active among both men and women in the early church.
7. Women Were Prophetesses, But Not Priests
Although women served as prophetesses in the Bible, they were not appointed to the priesthood. The Levitical priesthood was reserved for men from the tribe of Levi, specifically the descendants of Aaron.
Numbers 18:7 (NKJV): “Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
The priestly duties, including offering sacrifices and performing rituals, were given to male priests. However, this distinction did not diminish the important role women played as prophetesses in communicating God’s will.
1 Timothy 2:12 (NKJV): “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”
The New Testament also affirms that woman should not hold a position of authority over men as ministers but the gift of prophecy is permissible to woman.
8. Joel’s Prophecy of Future Prophets
The prophet Joel foretold a time when the gift of prophecy would be poured out on both men and women.
Joel 2:28-29 (NKJV): “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
This prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:16-18, when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers and both men and women began to prophesy.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a diverse group of prophetesses who played significant roles in the history of God’s people. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah’s wife, Anna, and Philip the evangelist’s four daughters were all chosen by God to deliver His messages. While these women were not priests, their prophetic ministries were essential to the spiritual and national life of Israel and the early church. Joel’s prophecy further affirms that the gift of prophecy is not limited by gender, but is a gift of the Holy Spirit, poured out on all believers who are called to serve God.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team