List of Jewish Prophets
The Talmud (Megillah 14a) says that there had been twice as many
prophets as the number of people who left Egypt (2,600,000),
but only those whose messages were for future generations
were recorded. This count was 48 male and 7 female Prophets.
Of course, there is much debate about who is included in the list. Rashi (Megillah 3a) suggests that Daniel wasn't a prophet and
should be replaced by Shemaia, who told Rehavam
not to go to war with Yeravam and the northern kingdom. Rabbein Hananel and the Vilna
Gaon start from Moshe and add in the sons of Korach.
Rashi also comments that "two [of the prophets] I don't
know," refering to numbers 47 and 48. Another commentator says the missing two prophets are
Oded and Hanani Haroeh.
7 Femal Prophets
1. Sarah
2. Miriam
3. Devorah
4. Hannah (mother of Shmuel)
5. Avigail (who became a wife of King David)
6. Huldah (from the time of Jeremiah)
7. Esther
46 Male Prophets
Sources: Blackman, Philip. Introduction
to Tractate Sanhedrin of the Mishnah. New
York: The Judaica Press, 1963; Dimont, Max. Jews, Jews,
God and History. New York: The
New American Library, 1962; Encyclopedia
Judaica "Sanhedrin".
Jerusalem: Keter Publishing House, 1971; Kung, Hans. Judaism. New
York: Crossroad, 1992; Seltzer, Robert M. Jewish
People, Jewish Thought. New York:
Macmillian Publishing Co, 1980.
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