Biblical Prophets: A Detailed and Organized List from the Bible, Including Descriptions

A prophet is someone of a high spiritual level, attuned and connected to Hashem. In the Laws of the Foundations of the Torah (chapter 7, halacha 7), Rambam writes: "A prophet's prophecy might be solely for himself, to broaden his heart and increase his knowledge... or he may be sent to a people or a nation or a kingdom, to enlighten them and inform them what they should do or to prevent them from their evil deeds."

1,200,000 prophets served the people of Israel, but not all were written about in the Bible. Not all prophecies were recorded either. Only those prophecies needed for future generations were included in the Prophetical Books.

The Talmud, in Tractate Megillah (14a) says, "Many prophets arose for Israel, double those who left Egypt, but only a prophecy needed for generations was written, and those that were not needed were not written." Only forty-eight prophets and seven prophetesses made prophetic statements that were significant for future generations. Although the Bible explicitly mentions only seven prophetesses, the Midrash in Shir HaShirim Rabba (4, 22) notes: "Just as Israel had 600,000 prophets, so too they had 600,000 prophetesses."

Judaism aspires for the entirety of Israel to attain this level of prophets who are connected to Hashem, and Moses longed for this outcome as stated in the Book of Numbers: "Would that all of Hashem's people were prophets, that Hashem would place His spirit upon them." Joel's prophecy promises that in the future, all Israel will be prophets. In his words: "Afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your elders will dream dreams, your youths will see visions. Even on the slaves and servant women, in those days, I will pour out My Spirit." (Joel 3:1-2).

In Tractate Baba Batra (12), it states that after the destruction of the First Temple, prophecy was withdrawn from the prophets and given to children and fools or to sages. The last prophets were Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, and after them, prophecy ceased.

Prophets of Israel Mentioned in the Bible:

Uriah son of Shemaiah – A prophet during the First Temple period, who prophesied destruction upon the land.

Ahab son of Kolaiah – A false prophet during the First Temple period. Ahab was exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar during King Jehoiachin’s reign. Ahab prophesied to the exiles that they would soon return to their land.

Ahijah the Shilonite – A prophet during the First Temple period. Through his words, the united monarchy was split into Judah and Israel.

Elijah the Tishbite – A prophet during the First Temple period. Elijah the Prophet, one of the most famous prophets of Israel, strengthened the pure faith in the people of Israel. Elijah is expected to appear at the end of days, tasked by Hashem to herald the coming of the messiah.

Why did Elijah the Prophet request the key to rain from Hashem? What is the charm for livelihood in the name of Elijah the Prophet? How was the miracle of the oil jug and the flour jar performed? How can one succeed through the six days of the week? Through a wondrous account from a prophet, we can be inspired and enriched:

Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Maresha – A prophet during the First Temple period, prophesied in the days of Jehoshaphat king of Judah.

Elisha son of Shaphat – A disciple and successor of Elijah the Prophet. He prophesied during the First Temple period.

Balaam son of Beor – A prophet for the nations of the world, lived during the Exodus, and was one of the few non-Israelites who attained prophecy.

Gad the Seer – Gad was a disciple of Samuel the prophet, and along with Nathan the prophet, guided King David spiritually.

Deborah – A prophetess and judge during the period of the Judges, led Israel to victory against the remnant inhabitants of Canaan.

The amazing story of Deborah the prophetess, by Rabbi Emmanuel Mizrahi. Watch:

Hosea son of Beeri – A prophet in the First Temple period.

Zechariah son of Berechiah – A prophet during the Babylonian exile and the Return to Zion. Some believe he was Zechariah the priest.

Zechariah son of Jehoiada – A prophet in the First Temple period. Influenced King Joash greatly while Jehoiada, his father, was alive.

Zechariah – A prophet in the First Temple period. Prophesied during King Uzziah's reign.

Habakkuk – A prophet from the First Temple period. Prophesied about the destruction, likely several decades before the First Temple's destruction.

Haggai – A prophet during the Babylonian exile and the Return to Zion. Haggai, through his prophecies, urged the people and their leaders to build the Temple.

Hosea – A prophet during the First Temple period.

Huldah – A prophetess during the First Temple period, in the days of Josiah king of Judah.

Hananiah son of Azur – A false prophet during the First Temple period, in the time of Jeremiah the prophet.

Jehoshaphat's son Hananayah – A prophet during the First Temple period, mentioned only once in the Bible.

Hanani the seer – A prophet during the First Temple period, in the days of Asa king of Judah.

Jehu son of Hanani – A prophet in the First Temple period, prophesied over 35 years.

Joel son of Pethuel – A prophet during the First Temple period, his prophecies are mentioned in his book. Read the Book of Joel here..

Jonah son of Amittai – A prophet during the First Temple period. His prophecies are explained in the Book of Jonah, read on the Yom Kippur afternoon. Read more about Jonah son of Amittai.

Jahaziel son of Zechariah – A prophet during the First Temple period, in the days of Jehoshaphat king of Judah.

Ezekiel son of Buzi the Priest – A prophet in the First Temple period. Exiled with Jehoiachin and prophesied in Babylon for over 20 years.

Jeremiah son of Hilkiah – A well-known prophet from the First Temple period, prophesied the first destruction and the exile of Judah. His prophecies are recorded in his book. Read the Book of Jeremiah here.

Isaiah son of Amoz – A renowned prophet during the First Temple period. Called the "Prophet of Consolation" due to the many comforting prophecies in his book. Read the Book of Isaiah here.

Micah – A prophet during the First Temple period. Prophesied the destruction during the time of Hezekiah the king.

Micaiah son of Imlah – A prophet in the First Temple period. Prophesied during the reign of Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah.

Malachi – Prophesied during the Babylonian exile and the Return to Zion. Malachi is the last of the prophets mentioned in the Bible, his prophecy ends with a directive for future conduct until the coming of the messiah: "Remember the law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded to him at Horeb for all of Israel, with statutes and judgments. Behold, I am sending to you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Hashem. And he will return the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.".Read the Book of Malachi here.

Moses our teacher – The father of the prophets, the man of Hashem, the only person from all creation to speak with the Creator face to face. His figure is the greatest in the history of humanity.

Miriam the Prophetess – The sister of Moses our teacher.

Part of the miraculous life story of Miriam the Prophetess, covering the duration of the Israelites' stay in the desert with its significant events. Watch:

Noadiah – A false prophetess during the Babylonian exile and the Return to Zion.

Nahum the Elkoshite – A prophet in the First Temple period. His prophecy included destruction decrees for Nineveh.

Nathan – The spiritual mentor of King David, he was the one who delivered the rebuke prophecy regarding the incident with Bathsheba.

Obadiah – A prophet in the First Temple period. Scripture testifies he was God-fearing, saving many prophets when Jezebel, Ahab's wife, pursued them to kill. Read the Book of Obadiah here.

Iddo – A prophet in the First Temple period.

Azariah son of Oded – A prophet in the First Temple period, during King Asa's reign.

Amos – A prophet in the First Temple period. Read the Book of Amos here.

Zedekiah son of Chenaanah – A prophet in the First Temple period.

Zedekiah son of Maaseiah – A false prophet in the First Temple period. Like his companion Ahab, Zedekiah son of Maaseiah prophesied to the exiles that they would soon return to their land.

Zephaniah – A prophet in the First Temple period, during King Josiah of Judah's reign.

Samuel – A great leader, stood for Israel at the end of the Judges' period. His life and deeds are extensively detailed in the Book of Samuel. To read the book, click here.

Is the root of redemption found in Samuel the prophet? A story about Rabbi Chaim Vital who saw his place in Gan Eden—and Samuel the prophet's throne? Does Samuel the prophet wander today at the Western Wall? Why did Elkanah, Samuel the prophet's father, pilgrimage four times a year? Why did Elkanah sleep on the street on his way to Shiloh? Who were Hannah and Peninnah reincarnated as?

Shemaiah – A prophet in the First Temple period.

Shemaiah son of Delaiah – A false prophet during the Babylonian exile and the Return to Zion.

Shemaiah the Nehelamite – A false prophet in the First Temple period.