Introduction to the Prophets

There were fifteen important prophets in Israel, whose lives covered nearly four centuries, beginning about 750 B.C.E. Known as the literary prophets because they wrote down their prophecies, they were chosen by God at a time of social and political crisis in the community. Their task was to warn, criticize the morals and ethics of their day, and counsel and comfort the Israelite people. This book presents an overview of the literary prophets and the nature of their prophecies. They include Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Joel, Obadiah, Nachum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, and Jonah.

In addition to the so-called literary prophets, there were other people in the Bible referred to as prophets as well. Gideon, in the Book of Judges, was referred to as a prophet, Deborah is called a prophetess in the Book of Judges. Moses was twice called a prophet in the Bible and even Abraham is once referred to as a prophet in the Book of Genesis. Messengers of God: A Jewish Prophets Who's Who explores these prophets as well.

Topics in this volume include: what is a prophet; varieties of prophets; commissioning of the prophet; preliterary prophets; false prophets; Moses; Deborah; prophetic signs and visions; values of the prophets; prophecy in the Talmud, philosophers and prophets, and prophets in the liturgy and rabbinic sources. Messengers of God: A Jewish Prophets Who's Who will enable the reader to have a better understanding of the nature of the prophets and their works.