Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the role of prophets is significant, serving as God's messengers to His people. However, Scripture also warns against false prophets, including women who claim divine inspiration but lead others astray. The Bible provides several examples and teachings regarding women who have assumed the role of false prophets, highlighting the dangers they pose to the faith community.Old Testament Examples One of the most notable examples of a false prophetess in the Old Testament is Jezebel. Although primarily known as the wife of King Ahab and a promoter of Baal worship, Jezebel is also associated with false prophecy. In Revelation 2:20, she is symbolically referenced as a woman who "calls herself a prophetess" and leads God's servants into immorality and idolatry. Her influence is seen as corrupting and destructive, drawing the people of Israel away from the worship of Yahweh. Another example is Noadiah, mentioned in Nehemiah 6:14. Nehemiah prays against her and other false prophets who sought to intimidate him and hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Noadiah's actions are indicative of those who, under the guise of prophecy, attempt to thwart God's plans and instill fear among His people. Warnings and Teachings The Bible consistently warns against false prophets, regardless of gender. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22, God provides criteria for discerning true prophets from false ones, emphasizing that a true prophet's words will come to pass. This standard applies universally, underscoring the importance of testing prophetic claims against the truth of God's Word. In the New Testament, Jesus warns of false prophets in Matthew 7:15, describing them as "wolves in sheep's clothing." This metaphor highlights the deceptive nature of false prophets, who may appear genuine but ultimately lead believers away from the truth. The apostle Paul echoes this warning in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, cautioning that people will gather teachers who suit their own desires, turning away from the truth to myths. Role of Women in Prophecy While the Bible acknowledges the presence of false prophetesses, it also affirms the legitimate role of women in prophecy. For instance, Miriam, the sister of Moses, is recognized as a prophetess in Exodus 15:20. Similarly, Deborah, a judge and prophetess, is celebrated for her leadership and guidance in Judges 4-5. These examples demonstrate that women can be true prophets, serving faithfully within God's purposes. Discernment and Vigilance The presence of false prophetesses in Scripture serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and vigilance within the faith community. Believers are encouraged to test all prophetic claims against the revealed Word of God, as instructed in 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the existence of false prophetesses, it also provides guidance for identifying and responding to them. By adhering to biblical teachings and remaining rooted in Scripture, believers can guard against deception and remain faithful to God's truth. Nave's Topical Index Ezekiel 13:17-23Likewise, you son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy you against them, Nave's Topical Index Library The Circumstances Related of Montanus and his False Prophets. The False Prophets of the Phrygians. The Apocalypse of Peter. The Exordium. False Teachings of the Apostasy. Commandments to Men. The Great Distress the Jews were in Upon the Conflagration of the ... The Last King of Judah Discourse Concerning the Future. That it was Before Predicted that the World Would Hold us in ... Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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