What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? The terms

Major Prophets and Minor Prophets are simply a way to divide the Old Testament prophetic books.

The Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel.

The Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

The Minor Prophets are also sometimes called the Twelve. The Major Prophets are described as major because their books are longer and the content has broad, even global implications.

The Minor Prophets are described as minor because their books are short, although Hosea and Zechariah are almost as long as Daniel, and the content is more narrowly focused.

That does not mean the Minor Prophets are any less inspired than the Major Prophets. It is simply a matter of God choosing to reveal more to Major Prophets than He did to Minor Prophets.

Both the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets are usually among the least popular books of the Bible for Christians to read.

This is understandable, with the often unusual prophetic language and seemingly constant warnings and condemnations recorded in the prophecies.

Still, there is much valuable content to be studied in the Major and Minor Prophets. We read of Christ's birth in Isaiah and Micah.

We learn of Christ's astonishing sacrifice in Isaiah. We read of Christ's return in Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah.

We learn of God's holiness, wrath, grace and mercy in all of the Major and Minor Prophets.

For that, they are most worthy of our attention and study. Got questions?