What are the characteristics of a prophet in the Old Testament?

Answer 1

Prophets generally shared several key experiences and characteristics.

1. A call from God. Attempting to prophesy without such a commission was false prophecy.
2. A word from God. This came through many means; direct declarations, visions, dreams, or an appearance of God.
3. Prophets were primarily spokesperson who called His people to obedience by appealing to Israel's past and future.
4. Symbolic acts. These served as dramatic, living parables.
5. Miracles confirmed their message.
6. Writing God's Word (Is. 8:1, Ezek. 43:11).
7. ministry to their people. Prophets were to test God's peoples' lives (Jer. 6:27) and be Watchmen for moral compromise (Ezek. 3:17). They interceded in prayer, sometimes even for the prophets enemy (1 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 4:18-37, Amos 7:2, Jer. 14:17-21, and Isaiah 59:16).
8. Ecstatic experiences. These confirmed God's presence and empowered the prophet.

With regards to a prophet and their prophecies of the future, their predictions could be understood in several ways.

1. Some prophecies seem to have a direct, literal fulfillment: the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5-6; Mic. 5:2).
2. Not all predictions were fulfilled literally. Elijah's return was fulfilled by John the Baptist and not a literal Elijah (Matt. 11:13-15; Mal. 3:1-4). Paul applied prophecies about literal, national Israel to the church (Rom. 9:25-26; Hos. 1:9-10, 2:23). This distinctive Christian reading was thought to be legitimate because of Christ's fulfillment and interpretation of the Old Testament (Luke 4:17-21).
3. Typological interpretation shows how OT events, person, or things foreshadowed the later Christian story. Christ can be compared to Adam (1 Cor. 15:2-23).

The prophets played a foundation role in the early church (1 Cor. 12:28-31). The angels visitation and prediction (Luke 1:11,26-27) provoked Mary and Zecharias to prophecy. John the Baptist predicted that Jesus would baptize in the Spirit (Matthew 3:11).

Answer 2

Prophets in the Old Testament were messengers chosen by God to communicate His will to the people. They often spoke out against sin, called for repentance, and foretold future events. Prophets were known for their close relationship with God and their unwavering commitment to delivering His message, even in the face of persecution.

Answer 3

The Israelite prophets were extremely learned and pious individuals, both men and women, whose superlative level of piety merited them with visions from God. They had to be humble, yet speak with authority. They had to love their people, yet not hesitate to rebuke with caustic words if commanded to by God. (See: Why did the Prophets rebuke? And see: Why did some people not listen to them?)
The prophets were called upon by God to guide the people and to guide the king. While the king had authority in national matters of state, and the Sanhedrin (Sages) had say in Torah-rulings and halakha (law), the prophets spoke in matters of ethics, of belief, of loyalty to God, and behavior. They rebuked the people at God's command, they predicted events which God revealed to them, they taught through Divine inspiration, and they provided optimism and hope with the prophecies of eventual Redemption.

Some of the prophetical chapters (or books) detail Israelite history and past events, some exhort the people to improve their spiritual level, some predict events and/or warn (especially concerning the First Destruction), some serve to comfort the nation, some speak of prayer and love of God, and some speak of life, experience and wisdom.

See also:A list of the Israelite prophets

Why did prophecy end?

History of the Hebrew Bible

Jewish history timeline

Answer 4

The biblical authors did not necessarily see the prophets as being able to prophesy the future, but rather as persons who could communicate with God.