Bible Dictionary
PROPHETESS
A prophetess is a woman who speaks under prophetic inspiration. Scripture names Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Anna, and Philip’s four daughters among women associated with prophetic utterance.
Definition
A prophetess is a woman associated with prophetic inspiration or utterance. Scripture applies the term to women whose speech was poetically inspired and to women recognized as possessing prophetic gifts.
Biblical Usage
Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah are called prophetesses; Hannah, Anna, and Philip’s four daughters are also associated with prophetic utterance. The supplied material notes that the earlier prophetesses were not necessarily credited with foretelling the future.
Historical Background
The term does not always imply a seer’s insight into future events. In some Old Testament examples it refers particularly to poetic or spiritually inspired speech.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>prof'-et-es (nebhi'ah; prophetis): Women were not excluded from the prophetic office in the Old Testament, and were honored with the right of prophetic utterance in the New Testament. It should be noted, however, that women like Miriam (Ex 15:20), Deborah (Jud 4:4) and Huldah (2Ki 22:14) were not credited with the seer's insight into the future, but were called "prophetesses" because of the poetical inspiration of their speech. Among others mentioned as having the prophetic gift we find Hannah (1Sa 2:1), Anna (Lu 2:36) and the four daughters of Philip (Ac 21:8,9).</p><p>See PROPHET.</p><p>C. E. Schenk</p>