PROPHETESS . 1. The courtesy title of a prophet’s wife ( Isaiah 8:3 ). 2. The OT title of women in whom the promise was fulfilled: ‘your daughters shall prophesy’ ( Joel 2:28; cf. Psalms 68:11 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). ‘The term is of course not to be misunderstood, as if it referred merely to predictions relating to the future: the reference is in general to inspired instruction in moral and religious truth’ (Driver, Camb. Bible, in loc .) The title is given to Miriam ( Exodus 15:20 ), Deborah ( Judges 4:4 ), Huldah ( 2 Kings 22:14 , 2 Chronicles 34:22 ), and Noadiah ( Nehemiah 6:14 ). 3. The NT gift of prophecy was bestowed on women ( Acts 21:9 , 1 Corinthians 11:6 ). Anna ( Luke 2:35 ) is the only ‘prophetess’ mentioned by name, except Jezebel ( Revelation 2:20 ), who was probably not the wife of the angel of the church (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ), but a temptress of the Christians at Thyatira to whom was given the name of Israel’s wicked queen.
J. G. Tasker.