Women prophets in the Bible (Part 2)
A biblical account of women who prophesied (continued).
We pick up where we left off with a riveting account of female prophets as recorded in the old testament. If you missed the last post, ‘Women prophets in the Bible Part 1’, you can read it here.
Previously, we looked at the tales of Miriam, a worthy (if a little naughty!) leader, and the fierce Deborah, a judge, prophet, wife (and as has been speculated by some, mother) and mighty woman of war.
The account continues with the old testament.
3. Huldah
In the chronicles of the Kings in 2 Kings 22: 14 to 20, we meet Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tivah, keeper of the wardrobe. We are told she lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter. The following events happened during the reign of King Josiah. In the 18th year of his reign, the Book of the Law is found by Hilkiah the High priest in the temple of the Lord. When he hears all that is written in it, King Josiah tears his robes in anguish, for it is clear to him that the people have transgressed against God and His anger burns against them. A delegation led by Hilkiah the priest goes to speak to the prophet Huldah and she prophesies,
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. Therefore, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”
This account is mirrored in 2 Chronicles 34 :22 to 28
4. Noadiah
In Nehemiah 6 :14, scripture tells of a prophetess known as Noadiah. A distinct let-down to womanhood, this woman and her fellow prophets appear to have joined the camp of those opposing the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah prays to God :
Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.
Notwithstanding their intimidation tactics, the reconstruction of the wall is completed in just 52 days.
5. The prophetess
In the book of Isaiah 8 :3, mention is made of an unnamed figure simply referred to as “The prophetess.” Not much is said of her except that she bore Isaiah a son with the Hebrew name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning swift are the spoils, speedy is the plunder.
And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.
According to some modern interpretations, Isaiah's wife was called "the prophetess", either because she was endowed with the prophetic gift, like Deborah and Huldah, or simply because she was the "wife of the prophet". According to these interpretations, they had two sons, naming the eldest Shear-jashub, meaning "A remnant shall return" (see Isaiah 7 : 3) , and the youngest, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
New Testament
6. Anna
In Luke 2: 36 to 38, we read about Anna the prophetess. The daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher, Anna lost her husband after only 7 years of marriage and remained a widow until the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped day and night, fasting and praying. Anna happened to be present when Simeon the prophet received baby Jesus when he was presented to the temple. Witnessing he moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Can we just pause for a moment to honour this great woman’s sacrifice and service to the Kingdom! May she be seated with the greatest of saints!
7. The daughters of Phillip
In Acts 21 : 8 & 9, mention is made of an evangelist Philip who had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Nothing else is said of them. Perhaps Philip’s house was a place of prophetic encounters because a few days later, a prophet Agabus seems to emerge from a cave. Verses 10 & 11 read:
After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
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Whilst the above are the written accounts of female prophets in the bible, it’s entirely plausible that a good number went unmentioned. Jewish history speaks of the 7 Prophetesses of Judaism, including some not mentioned above such as Abigail, Hannah the mother of Samuel and Esther. In fact, some refer to Abraham calling his wife Sarai his “princess/ superior” because she was superior to him in her prophetic abilities. Whereas Abraham led the men, Sarah shepherded the women. Though there is much polarising debate about this, Jewish tradition and commentaries suggest that in her young age, Sarah was known as Iscah, or Yiscah, which means seer. This gives credence to the claim that Sarah was a prophetess great or greater than Abraham.
Notwithstanding the debate, it is comforting to know that as women, we can look up to these amazing role models and learn a thing or two from them. We can step into the prophetic with great confidence that God has used our kind to do His work in the past, and He is willing to do so again – if only we will let Him. We have big shoes to fill - and fill them we will!
Stay blessed sisters!