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Major prophet

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Themajor prophetsis a grouping of books in the ChristianOld Testamentthat does not occur in theHebrew Bible.All of these books are traditionally regarded as authored by aprophetsuch asJeremiah,Isaiah,Daniel,andEzekiel.The term "major" has nothing to do with the achievement or importance of the prophets, rather with the length of the books. In comparison to the books of theTwelve Minor Prophets,whose books are short and grouped together into one single book in the Hebrew Bible, these books are much longer.[1]

Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Isaiahfresco inChurch of the Gesu

The order of the books

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Hebrew Bible

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The Tanakh, often called theHebrew Bible,is separated into three sections: theTorah,theNevi'im(Prophets), and theKetuvim(Writings). TheBook of Jeremiah,Book of Isaiah,and theBook of Ezekielare included among theNevi'im.TheBook of Lamentationsand theBook of Danielare included among theKetuvim.The Hebrew Bible does not include theBook of Baruch.[2]

Catholic Bible

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Along with the books in the Hebrew Bible, theCatholic Bibleincludes theLetter of Jeremiahwhich is found in Chapter 6 of theBook of Baruch.This was written byBaruch ben Neriah,a scribe of Jeremiah.[1]

Protestant Bible

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MostProtestant Biblesinclude only the Book of Isaiah, the Book of Jeremiah, the Book of Lamentations, the Book of Ezekiel, and the Book of Daniel.[1]

Period of Prophecy

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All the books of the major prophets took place during the "Period of Prophecy", which covers the time from the entrance of the Israelites into theLand of Israeluntil theBabylonian captivityof Judah. It is understood from all versions of the books that during this time, the four major prophets were chosen by God to be spoken to and speak the divine word to the people.[3]

Isaiah

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The Book of Isaiah tells primarily of prophecies of the judgments awaiting nations that are persecutingJudah.

Jeremiah

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The Book of Jeremiah was written as a message to the Jews in exile in Babylon, explaining the disaster of exile as God's response to Israel's pagan worship.

Lamentations

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The Book of Lamentations tells of the mourning the desertion of the city by God, its destruction, and the ultimate return of the divinity.

Ezekiel

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The Book of Ezekiel tells of the judgements on Israel and the nation and also the future blessings of Israel.

Daniel

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The Book of Daniel tell of God's plans to save all Israel in their present oppression, just as he saved Daniel from his enemies.

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcBegg, Christopher T.; Graybill, Rhiannon; Urbrock, William J. (2020). "Major Prophets".Old Testament Abstracts.43(2): 483–498.doi:10.1353/ota.2020.0043.S2CID258606851.
  2. ^Johnson, Adam J. (2017).T&T Clark Companion to Atonement.Bloomsbury T&T Clark.doi:10.5040/9780567677273.ch-070.ISBN978-0-567-56553-2.
  3. ^Gunda, Masiiwa Ragies. "Prediction and Power: Prophets and Prophecy in the Old Testament and Zimbabwean Christianity." Exchange (Leiden, Netherlands) 41.4 (2012): 335-51. Web.