What Are the Major and Minor Prophets?
The prophetic books — and why they're called major and minor.
The major and minor prophets are Old Testament books named for their length, not importance. The five major prophets (Isaiah–Daniel) are longer; the twelve minor prophets (Hosea–Malachi) are shorter. All spoke God's word to his people.
Major and minor by length
The distinction is simply about length. The major prophets — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel — are longer books. The twelve minor prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, are shorter, but no less inspired or important.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send... Then said I, Here am I; send me.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
What the prophets did
The prophets spoke God's word to their generation — warning of judgment for sin, calling people back to God, and promising hope and a coming Messiah. They were less fortune-tellers than covenant messengers, pointing always toward Christ.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
What doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Quick answers
- Are the minor prophets less important?
- No — 'minor' refers only to their shorter length. Books like Jonah, Micah, and Malachi carry rich, vital messages and are fully part of God's inspired word.
- How many prophetic books are there?
- Five major prophets and twelve minor prophets, for seventeen prophetic books in the Old Testament, plus prophetic material scattered elsewhere.
- What did the prophets prophesy about?
- They called people to repentance, warned of judgment, comforted with promises of restoration, and foretold the coming Messiah — much of which the New Testament sees fulfilled in Jesus.
