prophethood

Prophethood refers to the office or status of a person believed to receive revelations or guidance from a divine source and to communicate them to others. Prophets are often viewed as intermediaries between the divine and humanity, delivering warnings, ethical teachings, or injunctions. The concept appears in multiple religious traditions, with overlapping themes of monotheism, justice, and divine law.

In Judaism, prophets are figures in the Hebrew Bible whose messages address the covenant between God and Israel. Major prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are associated with calls to repentance, social justice, and fidelity to the covenant, and their writings form a central part of the prophetic books.

In Christianity, the prophetic tradition is rooted in the Old Testament and is continued in the New Testament through preaching, discernment of spirits, and guidance within the early church. Christians differ in emphasis, but the prophets of the Hebrew scriptures are recognized as part of the revelation that culminates in the teachings of Jesus and the apostolic witness.

In Islam, prophethood is central and distinguished as prophets (nabi) and messengers (rasul). Muslims hold that God sent many prophets—from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus—with Muhammad regarded as the final prophet who received the Qur’an. Prophets in Islam are considered exemplary conveyers of God’s guidance and are free from major sin in the tradition.

Some traditions distinguish between general prophetic guidance and explicit scriptures, while questions of authority and succession for prophetic messages contribute to varying doctrines and practices within and across faith communities. See also: revelation, prophecy, scripture, messiah.