Famous Prophets

Jesus Christ (c. 4 BC – c. AD 30 / 33), also Jesus of Nazareth, was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the center of Christianity. Most Christians believe he is God the Son and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Modern scholars generally agree Jesus existed historically. However, the search for the historical Jesus shows little agreement on the Gospels' reliability or how much the Bible reflects the historical Jesus.

Paul the Apostle (Latin: Paulus; Greek: Παῦλος, romanized: Paulos; Coptic: ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ; c. 5 – c. 64 or 67), known as Saint Paul and Saul of Tarsus (Hebrew: שאול התרסי‎, romanized: Sha'ūl ha-Tarsī; Greek: Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς, romanized: Saũlos Tarseús), was an apostle. He taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. Paul is one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age. Between the mid-30s and mid-50s AD, he started several churches in Asia Minor and Europe. He used his

Muhammad (Arabic: مُحمّد‎, pronounced [muħammad]; c. 570 CE – 8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader. He founded Islam. Islamic doctrine states he was a prophet, sent to confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. Main branches of Islam view him as the final prophet of God. Muhammad united Arabia into one Muslim state. The Quran and his teachings and practices form the basis of Islam.

Michel de Nostredame (depending on the source, 14 or 21 December 1503 – 1 or 2 July 1566), usually Nostradamus, was a French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer. He gained fame for his book, Les Prophéties, a collection of 942 poetic quatrains claiming to predict future events. The book first appeared in 1555 and has rarely left print since his death. Nostradamus's family was Jewish initially. They converted to Catholicism before he was born. He studied at the University of Avignon but left after just over a year because the university closed.

Moses () was a prophet in the Abrahamic religions. Scholars generally see Moses as a legendary figure, not a historical person, though some believe a Moses-like figure existed. The Hebrew Bible states an Egyptian princess adopted him, and later, he led the Israelites and served as the lawgiver. Tradition attributes the writing of the Torah, or getting the Torah from Heaven, to him. He is called Moshe Rabbenu in Hebrew (מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ), meaning "Moses our Teacher," and is the most important prophet in Judaism.

Noah (NOH-ə) was the tenth and final patriarch before the Flood in Abrahamic religions. The Hebrew Bible, Book of Genesis, chapters 5–9 contain his story. The Genesis flood narrative is a well-known Bible story. Noah acted as "the first tiller of the soil" and invented wine. The Genesis account shows Noah faithfully built the Ark by God's order. This saved his family, humanity, and all land animals from extinction during the Flood. God then made a covenant with Noah, promising never...

Abraham, originally Abram, is the main patriarch of Abrahamic religions. Judaism views him as the founder of the covenant of the pieces, the special bond between the Jewish people and God. Christianity sees him as the model for all believers, Jewish or Gentile. Islam views him as a link in the chain of prophets starting with Adam and ending with Muhammad. The Book of Genesis narrates themes of descendants and land. God called Abraham to leave his father Terah's house and settle in the land originally given to Canaan.

John the Baptist (Hebrew: יוחנן המטביל Yokhanan HaMatbil, Ancient Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστής, Iōánnēs ho baptistḗs or Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτίζων, Iōánnēs ho baptízōn, Coptic: ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲇⲣⲟⲙⲟⲥ or ⲓⲱ̅ⲁ ⲡⲓⲣϥϯⲱⲙⲥ, Arabic: يوحنا المعمدان‎; late 1st century BC – 28–36 AD) was a Jewish preacher traveling in the early first century AD. Other titles for John include John the Forerunner in Eastern Christianity, John the Immerser in some Baptist traditions, and "the prophet John (Yaḥyā)" in Islam. He is sometimes called John the Baptizer. The Jewish historian Josep mentioned John the Baptist.

Zechariah was a figure in the Hebrew Bible. Tradition holds he wrote the Book of Zechariah, the eleventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets. He was a prophet of the Kingdom of Judah and shared a priestly lineage with the prophet Ezekiel.

Jacob is a patriarch of the Israelites. Genesis states Jacob was the third Hebrew progenitor with whom God made a covenant. The Hebrew Bible names Jacob the son of Isaac and Rebecca, the grandson of Abraham and Sarah, and the son of Bethuel. Jacob was the younger twin brother of Esau. Jacob had twelve sons and at least one daughter from his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and their handmaidens, Bilhah and Zilpah. His twelve sons formed the "Tribes of Israel". Genesis names these sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjam.

Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad (February 13, 1835 – May 26, 1908) was an Indian religious leader. He founded the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. He claimed God appointed him as the promised Messiah and Mahdi—the metaphorical second coming of Jesus (mathīl-iʿIsā)—fulfilling Islam's end-time prophecies. He also claimed to be the Mujaddid, or centennial reviver, of the 14th Islamic century. Born in 1835 to a prominent family in Qadian, Ghulam Ahmad wrote and debated Islam. His father died when he was just over forty, and around that time he believed God.

Gordon B. Hinckley (June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008) was an American religious leader and author. He served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from March 12, 1995, until his death. Church members considered Hinckley a prophet, seer, and revelator. Hinckley was the oldest person to preside over the church. His presidency involved building temples; more than half of existing temples were built under his leadership. Hinckley also oversaw the reconstruction of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and the building of the 21,000.

Miriam (מִרְיָם Mir-yām) appears in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the sister of Moses and Aaron. She was a prophetess and first appears in the Book of Exodus. The Torah calls her "Miriam the Prophetess," and the Talmud names her one of the seven main female prophets of Israel. Scripture describes her with Moses and Aaron delivering the Jews from Egypt's exile: "For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam". The Midrash says just as Moses...

David (Hebrew: דָּוִד) is described in the Hebrew Bible as the third king of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah, following Ishbaal. In the biblical story, David was a young shepherd. He gained fame as a musician and later killed the enemy champion Goliath. King Saul favored David and kept him as a close friend of Saul's son Jonathan. Saul turned on David because he feared David would take his throne. After Saul and Jonathan died in battle, David became king. David conquered Jerusalem, brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city, and established the kingdom founded by...

Thomas Spencer Monson (August 21, 1927 – January 2, 2018) was an American religious leader, author, and the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Adherents viewed him as a "prophet, seer, and revelator" as president. Monson began his career managing at the Deseret News, a Utah newspaper owned by the LDS Church. He held many church leadership roles and served in public service throughout his life. Monson became an LDS apostle at age 36, served in the First Presidency under three church presidents, and...

Temitope Balogun Joshua, born June 12, 1963, is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist, and philanthropist. He founded and leads The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian group. SCOAN operates the Emmanuel TV television station from Lagos. Joshua gains popularity across Africa and Latin America. He has 3,500,000 fans on Facebook. His YouTube channel, Emmanuel TV, has over 1,000,000 subscribers. Emmanuel TV holds the title of the world’s most viewed Christian ministry on YouTube. People call him the "Oprah of eva".

Jeffrey Don Lundgren (May 3, 1950 – October 24, 2006) was an American self-proclaimed prophet and mass murderer. On April 17, 1989, Lundgren killed 5 people in Kirtland, Ohio. Lundgren led a Latter Day Saint movement-based cult in Kirtland. He and several followers murdered the Avery family, fellow cult members. For this, Lundgren faced conviction and a death sentence. Lundgren was executed in 2006.

The Hebrew Bible states Phinehas, or Phineas (Hebrew: פִּנְחָס, Modern: Pinəḥas, Tiberian: Pineḥās), served as a priest during the Israelites’ Exodus. He was the grandson of Aaron and the son of Eleazar, the High Priests (Exodus 6:25). Phinehas showed zeal at Shittim against the heresy of Peor. Displeased by the immorality of the Moabites and Midianites, who tempted the Israelites to inter-marry and worship Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1–9), Phinehas personally killed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman while they were together in the man's ten.

Daniel is a masculine name and surname from Hebrew origin. It means, "God is my judge." It comes from two early biblical figures, including Daniel from the Book of Daniel (see also "God is my strength" cf. Gabriel). Many males use Daniel as a given name, and it is also used as a surname. Various other names and surnames stem from Daniel.

Edgar Cayce (March 18, 1877 – January 3, 1945) was an American clairvoyant. He answered questions about healing, reincarnation, wars, Atlantis, and future events while supposedly asleep. A biographer nicknamed him The Sleeping Prophet. The Association for Research and Enlightenment, a nonprofit, started to study Cayce's work. Some view him as the true founder and a main source for New Age movement beliefs. Cayce also contributed to ideas about diet and health.

Ezekiel (Hebrew: יְחֶזְקֵאל Y'ḥezqēl [jəħɛzˈqēl]) is the main character in the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam recognize Ezekiel as a Hebrew prophet. Judaism and Christianity see him as the sixth-century BCE writer of the Book of Ezekiel. This book shows prophecies about Jerusalem's destruction, the return to Israel, and visions of the Millennial Temple (or Third Temple). The name Ezekiel means 'God's Strength'.

Barnabas (Greek: Βαρνάβας), born Joseph, was an early Christian and a leading disciple in Jerusalem, according to tradition. Acts 4:36 states Barnabas was a Cypriot Jew. Acts 14:14 names him an apostle. Barnabas and Paul the Apostle traveled together on missionary journeys. They defended Gentile converts against Judaizers. They made more converts (around 45–47) and joined the Council of Jerusalem (around 50). Barnabas and Paul successfully spread the gospel to 'God-fearing' Gentiles who attended synagogues in various Hellenized cities in Anatolia.

Isaac is one of the three patriarchs of the Israelites in the biblical Book of Genesis. The biblical story shows he was the son of Abraham and Sarah, the father of Jacob, and the grandfather of the twelve tribes of Israel. His name means 'he will laugh', reflecting Abraham and Sarah's disbelief when God promised them a child. Isaac is the only patriarch whose name did not change, and he never left Canaan. The narrative says Isaac died at 180 years old, the longest life of the three.

Saint Philip the Evangelist (Greek: Φίλιππος, Philippos) appears several times in the Acts of the Apostles. He was one of the seven chosen to care for the poor in the Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 6). Philip preached and reportedly performed miracles in Samaria. He met and baptized an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, in Gaza, an event traditionally marking the start of the Ethiopian Church (Acts 8). Later, Philip lived in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters, who foretold his visit by Paul the Apostle (Acts 21).

Aaron (or Hebrew: אַהֲרֹן Ahärôn) was a prophet, high priest, and Moses' brother in the Abrahamic religions. Religious texts like the Bible and Quran provide knowledge of Aaron and his brother Moses. The Hebrew Bible states that unlike Moses, who grew up in the Egyptian royal court, Aaron and his sister Miriam stayed with their relatives in the eastern border-land of Egypt (Goshen). When Moses first faced the Egyptian king about the Israelites, Aaron acted as his brother's spokesman ('prophet') to Pharaoh. Part of the Law (Torah) that Moses...

Haggai (Hebrew: חַגַּי; Koine Greek: Ἀγγαῖος; Latin: Aggaeus) was a Hebrew prophet building the Second Temple in Jerusalem. He appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the twelve minor prophets and wrote the Book of Haggai. His prophecy in 520 BCE told the Jews to rebuild the Temple. His name means "my holiday." He was the first of three post-exile prophets from the Neo-Babylonian Exile of the House of Judah (alongside Zechariah and Malachi, who lived about a century later).

John of Patmos (also John the Revelator, John the Divine, or John the Theologian; Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Θεολόγος; Coptic: ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ) wrote the Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic text that forms the final book of the New Testament. The text of Revelation states John was on Patmos, a Greek island. Biblical historians generally believe John was in exile there due to anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian. Christians and historians consider the writer of the Book of Revelation to be John the Apostle (John the Evangelist) since the Roman era.

Joshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yehoshuʿa) is the main figure in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Joshua. Exodus, Numbers, and Joshua state that Joshua was Moses' assistant and took charge of the Israelite tribes after Moses died. His name was Hoshea (הוֹשֵׁעַ), son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim, but Moses called him Joshua (Numbers 13:16), the name people use. The Bible says he was born in Egypt before the Exodus. The Hebrew Bible shows Joshua as one of the twelve spies Moses sent to explore the land of Canaan.

Jeremiah, also called the "weeping prophet," was a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament of the Christian Bible). Jewish tradition holds that Jeremiah wrote the Book of Jeremiah, the Books of Kings, and the Book of Lamentations, with Baruch ben Neriah, his scribe and disciple, assisting and editing. The book of Jeremiah details statements Jeremiah attributed to God and describes physical actions Jeremiah took, such as buying a field belonging to his uncle for a redemption right (Jer. 32:6-2).

William Marrion Branham (April 6, 1909 – December 24, 1965) was an American Christian minister and faith healer. He started the post-World War II healing revival. Branham left a lasting mark on televangelism and the modern Charismatic movement. Some Christian historians recognize him as the "principal architect of restorationist thought" for Charismatics. At his time, his inter-denominational meetings were the largest religious gatherings in some American cities. Branham became the first American deliverance minister to successfully campaign in Europe; his ministry...

Amos (Hebrew: עָמוֹס – ʿĀmōs) was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. Amos was an older contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah. He worked around 760–755 BCE while kings Jeroboam II and Uzziah ruled. Amos came from the southern Kingdom of Judah but preached in the northern Kingdom of Israel. Amos wrote during a time of peace and wealth. People neglected Yahweh's laws. He spoke against the huge gap between the rich and the poor. Amos's main ideas involved social justice, God's power, and divine punishment.

Elisha (Hebrew: אֱלִישָׁע, Modern: ʼElišaʻ, Tiberian: ʼĔlîšāʻ, Greek: Ἐλισ[σ]αῖος, Elis[s]aîos or Ἐλισαιέ, Elisaié) was a prophet and a wonder-worker in the Hebrew Bible. The New Testament and the Quran also mention Elisha. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam honor Elisha as a prophet. Bahá'í writings use his name. English commonly uses Elisha from Hebrew, Eliseus from Greek and Latin, or Alyasa from Arabic, and Elyesa from Turkish. Elij was said to be Elisha's disciple and student.

Yūsuf ibn Yaʿqūb ibn Is-ḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm (Arabic: يُـوسـف ابـن يَـعـقـوب ابـن إِسـحـاق ابـن إِبـراهـيـم‎) is a Nabi (Arabic: نَـبِي‎, Prophet) in the Qurʾān, the Islamic scripture. This figure matches Joseph (son of Jacob) from the Tanakh, the Jewish scripture, and the Christian Bible. Joseph lived around the 16th century BCE. This name appears often in the Middle East and among Muslim nations. Joseph received the gift of prophecy among Jacob's children. Various Surahs mention other prophets, but

Isaiah is the 8th-century BC Jewish prophet. The Book of Isaiah is named after him. Within the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah refers to himself as "the prophet." The link between the Book of Isaiah and any historical Isaiah remains complex. The traditional view holds that one man, Isaiah, wrote all 66 chapters. He wrote them possibly in two periods between 740 BC and c. 686 BC, spaced about 15 years apart. This writing includes prophetic statements about Cyrus the Great in the Bible, which restored Israel from Babylonian captivity.

Micah (Hebrew: מִיכָה הַמֹּרַשְׁתִּי Mīḵā hammōraštī, "Micah the Morashtite") was a prophet in Judaism. He prophesied from about 737 to 696 BC in Judah and wrote the Book of Micah. Micah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). He was a contemporary of Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. Micah came from Moresheth-Gath, in southwest Judah. He prophesied during the reigns of Judah's kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Micah focused his messages mainly on Jerusalem. He foretold the future destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria.

Lapidoth (Hebrew: לַפִּידוֹת Lappidoth, "torches") married Deborah, the fourth Judge of Israel. Lapidoth is also a Hebrew male given name.

Samuel shifts the biblical narrative from the judges to Saul's kingdom, and then from Saul to David. Jews, Christians, and Muslims revere him as a prophet. The Hebrew Scriptures mention Samuel. The New Testament, rabbinical literature, and the second chapter of the Qur'an also mention him, though not by name. Josephus's *Antiquities of the Jews*, written in the first century, treats him in books five through seven.

Joseph Ayo Babalola (April 25, 1904 – July 26, 1959) became the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, known as CAC in Nigeria. People credited him with healing powers.

For other biblical people named Nathan, see Nathan (given name). Nathan (Hebrew: נָתַן‎ Nāṯan; Syriac: ܢܬܢ‎ fl. c. 1000 BC) is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible.

Gideon, also Jerubbaal and Jerubbesheth, was a military leader, judge, and prophet. Chapters 6 to 8 of the Book of Judges recount his calling and victory over the Midianites. Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abiezrite clan in the tribe of Manasseh, and lived in Ephra (Ophrah). As an Israelite leader, he won a major victory against a Midianite army despite having far fewer men. He led 300 'valiant' men.

Elijah (; ih-LY-jə; Hebrew: אֵלִיָּהוּ, Eliyahu, meaning "My God is Yahweh/YHWH") or Elias ( ih-LY-əs) was a prophet and miracle worker in the northern kingdom of Israel during King Ahab's reign (9th century BC), according to the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defended the worship of the Hebrew God against the Canaanite deity Baal. God performed many miracles through Elijah, including raising the dead, bringing fire from the sky, and entering Heaven alive "by fire". He also led a schoo.

Agabus (Greek: Ἄγαβος) was an early Christian follower who appears as a prophet in the Acts of the Apostles. Tradition remembers him as one of the Seventy Disciples described in Luke 10:1-24.

Silas or Silvanus (; Greek: Σίλας/Σιλουανός; fl. 1st century AD) was a leading member of the Early Christian community. He accompanied Paul the Apostle on parts of his first and second missionary journeys.

Jehu (Hebrew: יֵהוּא Yehu, meaning "Yahu is He"; Akkadian: Ia-ú-a; Latin: Iehu) became the tenth king of the northern Kingdom of Israel after Jeroboam I. He exterminated the house of Ahab by Jehovah's command. Jehoshaphat was Jehu's father; Nimshi was his grandfather; Omri was possibly his great-grandfather. His reign lasted 28 years. William F. Albright dates his reign to 842–815 BCE. E. R. Thiele offers dates of 841–814 BCE. 2 Kings 9–10 provides the main source for his reign's events.

Anna (Hebrew: חַנָּה‎, Ancient Greek: Ἄννα) or Anna the Prophetess is a woman in the Gospel of Luke. That Gospel states she was an elderly woman from the Tribe of Asher. She prophesied about Jesus at the Temple of Jerusalem. She appears in Luke 2:36–38 during Jesus' presentation at the Temple.

Habakkuk, active around 612 BC, was a prophet. His oracles and prayer appear in the Book of Habakkuk, the eighth minor prophet in the Hebrew Bible's twelve. Jews, Christians, and Muslims revere him. Almost all information about Habakkuk comes from the Bible book bearing his name. The Bible gives no biography other than his title, "the prophet." Christian and Rabbinic traditions mention him over centuries, but modern scholars dismiss these as speculative and apocryphal.

Hosea, son of Beeri, was an 8th-century BC prophet in Israel. He wrote the book of prophecies bearing his name. He belongs to the Twelve Prophets of the Jewish Hebrew Bible, also called the Minor Prophets of the Christian Old Testament. People call Hosea a "prophet of doom". His message of destruction includes a promise of restoration. The Talmud states he was the greatest prophet of his time. Hosea's ministry lasted about sixty years. He was the only prophet mentioned.

Obadiah (; Hebrew: עֹבַדְיָה – ʿŌvaḏyāh or עֹבַדְיָהוּ – ʿŌvaḏyā́hū; "servant of the Lord") is a Biblical name meaning "servant of God" or "worshiper of Yahweh." The Septuagint uses Obdios for Obadiah's name; Latin uses Abdias; Arabic uses عبداللّٰه ʿAbdullah. The Bishops' Bible uses Abdi.

Huldah (Hebrew: חֻלְדָּה) appears in 2 Kings 22:14–20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22–28 in the Hebrew Bible. Jewish tradition names her one of the "seven prophetesses". Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther are others. After finding the Law book during Solomon's Temple renovations, King Josiah ordered Hilkiah, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah to seek her opinion. She married Shallum, son of Tokhath (also Tikvah), son of Harhas (also Hasrah), the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem.

Joel (Hebrew: יוֹאֵל – Yōʾēl; Greek: Ἰωήλ – Iōḗl; Syriac: ܝܘܐܝܠ‎ – Yu'il) was a prophet of ancient Israel. He was the second of the twelve minor prophets and wrote the Book of Joel. The Hebrew Bible mentions Joel once, in the book's introduction, calling him the son of Pethuel (Joel 1:1). The name Joel blends the covenant name YHWH (or Yahweh) with El (god), meaning "one to whom YHWH is God," showing he worshipped YHWH. People think he lived in the 9th century BCE, but the book's date remains debated.