Prophetess

Prophetess (נבַיאָה, nebiah, προφῆτις, Ex 15:20; Lu 2:36). Among the remarkable women who appear to have exercised the gift of prophecy, we find Miriam (Ex 15:20); Deborah; Hannah (1Sa 2:1); Huldah (2Ki 22:14); the wife of Isaiah (Isa 8:3); Anna (Lu 2:36); and the four daughters of Philip (Ac 21:8-9). Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and others were called prophetesses, not because they were supposed to be gifted with a knowledge of futurity, like the seers, but because they possessed a poetical inspiration; and inspired (especially sacred) poetry was always deemed of supernatural and divine origin. SEE PROPHET.

⇒"Prophets." topical outline.

⇒Bible concordance for PROPHETESSES.

⇒Definition of prophetess

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.