Old Testament Prophets

Old Testament Prophets — Timeline, Locations, Overlaps

Order
Prophet
When (approx.)
Where (primary)
Before / After / Overlaps
1
Moses
15th or 13th century BC (Exodus era)
Egypt, wilderness, Sinai, Moab
Foundational, earliest major prophet in Israel’s story
2
Miriam
Exodus era
Wilderness with Israel
Overlaps Moses and Aaron
3
Deborah
12th–11th century BC (Judges era)
Israel (Ephraim area)
Before the monarchy; before Samuel
4
Samuel
11th century BC (Judges → Kings)
Israel (Ramah, Shiloh region)
Transitions Israel from Judges to Saul to David
5
Nathan
10th century BC (David, early Solomon)
Judah, Jerusalem
Overlaps David; overlaps early Solomon
6
Gad
10th century BC (David)
Judah
Overlaps David; overlaps Nathan
7
Ahijah
10th century BC (Solomon → Jeroboam I)
Israel (north)
Around the split of the kingdom
8
Shemaiah
10th century BC (Rehoboam)
Judah
Right after the split
9
Elijah
9th century BC (Ahab era)
Israel (north), Carmel, wilderness
Before Elisha; overlaps early Elisha
10
Elisha
9th century BC (Joram, Jehu era)
Israel (north)
After Elijah; overlaps Jehu transition
11
Micaiah
9th century BC (Ahab)
Israel (north)
Overlaps Elijah era
12
Obadiah
9th or 6th century BC (date debated)
Message against Edom
Could align early or post-Jerusalem fall (later)
13
Joel
9th to 6th century BC (date debated)
Judah, Jerusalem focus
Often placed early; sometimes later
14
Jonah
8th century BC (Assyrian rise)
From Israel; sent to Nineveh
Near Amos/Hosea timeframe
15
Amos
8th century BC (Jeroboam II, Uzziah)
From Judah; prophesies to Israel
Overlaps Hosea; near Jonah era
16
Hosea
8th century BC (late Israel)
Israel (north)
Overlaps Amos; overlaps early Isaiah/Micah era broadly
17
Isaiah
8th century BC (Uzziah → Hezekiah)
Judah, Jerusalem
Overlaps Micah; overlaps late Hosea era broadly
18
Micah
8th century BC (Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah)
Judah
Overlaps Isaiah
19
Nahum
7th century BC (Nineveh nearing fall)
Judah audience; message about Assyria
After Isaiah; before/near Jeremiah era
20
Zephaniah
7th century BC (Josiah)
Judah, Jerusalem
Near early Jeremiah; before exile
21
Habakkuk
Late 7th century BC (Babylon rising)
Judah
Overlaps early Jeremiah era
22
Huldah
7th century BC (Josiah)
Judah, Jerusalem
Overlaps Zephaniah; overlaps early Jeremiah era broadly
23
Jeremiah
Late 7th → early 6th century BC (to Jerusalem’s fall)
Judah, Jerusalem; later Egypt
Overlaps exile transition; overlaps Ezekiel/Daniel by era
24
Ezekiel
6th century BC (Babylonian exile)
Babylon (among exiles)
Overlaps Daniel
25
Daniel
6th century BC (Babylon → Persia)
Babylon and Persia courts
Overlaps Ezekiel
26
Haggai
Late 6th century BC (return, temple rebuilding)
Judah, Jerusalem
Overlaps Zechariah
27
Zechariah
Late 6th → early 5th century BC (post-exile)
Judah, Jerusalem
Overlaps Haggai; before Malachi
28
Malachi
5th century BC (post-exile community)
Judah
Last OT prophet in order
Overlap highlights
  • Elijah → Elisha handoff overlap
  • Amos + Hosea overlap (8th century BC, Northern Kingdom)
  • Isaiah + Micah overlap (Judah, Assyrian threat)
  • Jeremiah overlaps the exile transition; Ezekiel + Daniel overlap in Babylon
  • Haggai + Zechariah overlap (temple rebuilding)

Why Each Person Is Listed as a Prophet

Explicit titles, prophetic function, or canonical prophetic authority.

Name Prophetic Status Why They Are on the List
Moses Explicitly called prophet Directly called a prophet; speaks with God uniquely and delivers covenant revelation to Israel.
Miriam Explicitly called prophetess Named a prophetess; leads Israel in prophetic worship and proclamation.
Deborah Explicitly called prophetess Clearly identified as a prophetess and judge who delivers God’s word and direction to Israel.
Samuel Explicitly called prophet Recognized nationally as a prophet and transitional leader from Judges into the monarchy.
Nathan Explicitly called prophet Identified as a prophet who delivers correction and covenant word to King David.
Gad Seer / prophet Called David’s seer; delivers the word of the LORD with prophetic authority.
Ahijah Explicitly called prophet Named prophet who foretells the division of the kingdom.
Shemaiah Explicitly called prophet Prophet sent by God to prevent civil war between Judah and Israel.
Elijah Explicitly called prophet Confronts Baal worship and calls Israel back to covenant faithfulness.
Elisha Explicitly called prophet Successor to Elijah; performs signs and delivers God’s word to kings.
Micaiah (son of Imlah) Narrative prophet Stands alone against false prophets and speaks the true word of the LORD.
Obadiah Canonical writing prophet Author of prophetic book delivering God’s judgment against Edom.
Joel Canonical writing prophet Speaks by inspiration of the Spirit concerning the Day of the LORD.
Jonah Explicitly called prophet Named prophet sent by God to proclaim repentance to Nineveh.
Amos Canonical writing prophet Called by God from shepherding to deliver judgment oracles.
Hosea Canonical writing prophet Receives “the word of the LORD”; prophetic marriage symbolism.
Isaiah Explicitly called prophet Receives visions; speaks judgment and messianic hope.
Micah Canonical writing prophet Delivers prophetic rebuke and future hope to Judah.
Nahum Canonical writing prophet Prophetic oracle declaring judgment on Assyria.
Zephaniah Canonical writing prophet Declares the Day of the LORD and calls Judah to repentance.
Habakkuk Canonical writing prophet Engages God in prophetic dialogue over justice and judgment.
Huldah Explicitly called prophetess Consulted by priests and king to interpret the Book of the Law.
Jeremiah Explicitly called prophet Called by God before birth; warns Judah of exile.
Ezekiel Explicitly called prophet Commissioned as prophet among the exiles in Babylon.
Daniel Recognized prophet (later Scripture) Receives visions and revelations concerning God’s kingdoms.
Haggai Explicitly called prophet Calls returned exiles to rebuild the temple.
Zechariah Explicitly called prophet Receives visions and messianic revelation post-exile.
Malachi Canonical writing prophet Final prophetic voice calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness.

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